Hello everyone!
We’re all SO sorry for the lack in updates the last 2 months. This trip has by far been the most _________ (fill in the blank with whatever would make it impossible for you to keep your head on straight). It has been difficult, challenging, stressful, and frustrating, among other things, but it has also been one of the most uplifting, encouraging and character building trips I’ve ever been on.
From trying to get transportation for 21 people, to battling sickness with almost every member of our team, to having to move condos (take down everything and set it back up) more than once, to problems with our cell phones and internet, Satan has truly been working to hinder our mission. As difficult as it has been, we were aware of Satan’s schemes, so that made it slightly easier to make it through our trials with Christ-like-ness.
Through it all, we were able to carry out that which God had already prepared in advance for us to do.
Having said all of that, the following are things our team were able to participate in (and because our group was so large, not everyone was able to attend everything, but for each event there was a team of representatives for Missing Link).
Attended 10 tutorial graduations
Visited 5 tutorials
Conducted 1 couple’s seminar
Conducted 3 parenting seminars
Taught 3 Sunday school children’s classes
That may not seem like much to you over the span of 2 months, but many of our team struggled with jet lag for a week or more after arriving. We also had to deal with transportation issues. Sometimes it’s hard enough to find public transportation for 4 people, let alone 21. In addition to that, quite a few members fell ill, which made it difficult to send a group with enough adults to pair up with children.
To the team, we felt as though we were go-go-going day after day after day. We really did not have much down time, because of all the additional struggles mentioned above.
I’m confident that the brothers and sisters in Christ that we were able to visit with felt encouraged and uplifted by our presence, irregardless of the trials and sickness that we felt.
Though this trip has been unlike any other I have been on, I know that good works are still coming from our efforts.
Thank you all for your support, and God bless! Please don’t hesitate to ask me (Kelsey, or any of our other team members) about our trip; we are always more than happy to share about God’s work in the Philippines.
Over and out,
Kelsey Sellers