Hi friends and family!
Day 12 in country was one of our most relaxing days yet, but the morning and evening were packed full of activity. We started off the day bright and early by meeting up with the Youth Lab Jr. leaders at YMC (where we’re staying). This is a group of teenagers and young adults who are dedicated to reaching people for Jesus. Every Saturday they go out to different neighborhoods and put on different activities and feedings for the kids. It was inspiring to see the sacrifice they made for the Gospel and how joyfully they served. Since Brooks was gone today, we tagged along with them to a community closer to our home base for our final feeding of the trip. We usually do a song or two at feedings before we serve the champorado and lugaw, but today we did much more singing and dancing. The kids also played a variation of freeze tag through the streets, which were mostly steep hills. Afterwards they had a chance to write down prayer request and post them on prayer boards so that the YL Jrs could pray for them. Most of these prayers were for family or protection, although there was at least one request for a tv.
As fun as it was to connect with the kids, we agreed that this feeding was one of the most difficult for our team. Personally, there were a few sick animals that made me feel pretty uncomfortable and in desperate need of hand sanitizer. It was extremely hot and a few of us had left our waters in the van only to discover that we would be walking back. Thankfully, the YL team knew some shortcuts so the walk back was better than expected.
I did have a kid splash me with dirty bath water though, but he was super cute so I couldn’t be mad at him.
The rest of the day was pretty relaxing because all of our energy was sapped from the long week. Most of us spent the afternoon napping, journaling, watching videos, or talking to other teams at the base. Farmer also picked up all of our laundry, except his – because they forgot to wash it – and mine because it was hidden. But thankfully we were able to find it.
After dinner that night we joined the team from World Race and our new friend Kaitlyn to drive to Cloud Nine (we managed to squeeze 17 people into a 12 person van). Cloud Nine is a lookout spot where we’d be able to see the entirety of the city. What we weren’t told was that we would need to climb up a wobbly wire bridge five stories up through the air to reach the lookout point. But despite the height (and multiple people bouncing on the bridge) everyone made it to the top. The view was incredible! It was dark so the entire city was lit up, and there was lightning flashing in the distance every few seconds. We stayed for a bit to take pictures, and then we headed back to base.
After a quick 7/11 run for some snacks, some of us stayed back to enjoy some karaoke with the boys and girls homes while Graham, Alec, Khaycee and Keilah went on an adventure to get some boba and Dominos pizza. Then we all came back for a time of connecting. I got to talk with a few of the girls we went to dinner with the other night, and it was fun to hear more about their lives and their dreams. It really shows how God is working through people and through KIDS to spread the Kingdom of God in this country.
We ended the day relaxing in our rooms, and Lauren, Graham and I went out and spent some time worshiping and talking with a few people from World Race. I also learned a few guitar chords which was neat. It’s been really fun to connect with them over the past few days.
Thank you all for continuing to lift us and this country up in prayer. God has been so faithful to show up and sustain us. Tomorrow we head into our final full day here, so we will be seeing you all soon!
Laura and the Southeast Asia A team
