Uno, Dos, Stress....

     So I'm more than halfway done my stay here in the Philippines and the other night I started thinking about what I'll be coming back to. I started thinking about the bills, looking for a job and just what direction my life is heading towards. I had a little sit down with a friend and basically we came to this conclusion....
   
     Stress comes and makes its presence known in our lives when our circumstances are out of control.  When our needs aren't being met we get anxious. We tend to want to have complete control over things in our lives. We always want to be the driver and never want to ride shotgun. Giving up control means that the outcome is unknown. At least if we have "the wheel" so to speak, then we have only ourselves to blame and we wont have to kick ourselves for putting our trust into someone else.

     What this all boils down to, what i'm trying to say is that when I stress out and worry about these things that happen in my life, it's because at some point along the way I lost trust in God. It's like me sitting in the car with God and it seems like we're lost. It's raining, it's dark, you can barely see outside, I tell God to pull over and I say "you sit shotgun I got this bro, I'll get us out of this mess." Then I take back that control and drive around aimlessly getting more and more frustrated to the point where I just want to give up.

     What I need to do is rely more on Him. It sounds easier said than done and in ways it is. I mean when I'm going through some rough times, do I really wanna pick up my bible and read? No not all the time. for some that works and for some it doesn't. If it does, read Philippians 4:6-7 and John 14:27 (shameless plug)
Sometimes it's talking and venting out to people who can relate to what I'm going through. Sometimes listening to some praise and worship music helps too. I was told that when you surround yourself with God, what happens is we refocus out attention on Him and more away from ourselves then suddenly the problems that seemed larger than life begin too look smaller in the largeness of Him. 

     Now not one of us is immune to stress. When problems come our way we're naturally going to feel like we've lost control, but that's okay because we're not supposed to be in control anyway. Ride shotgun, let God sit in the drivers seat and enjoy the ride.

Stay classy

Samaritana

Today after our Technohub outreach/bible study, Jon says he wants to go check out a place called Samaritana. So we hop in a cab and away we went. When we get to our destination it comes to our attention that the cab driver didn't turn off his fare meter from the previous passenger and now we've been charged double what we should be paying. Jon graciously paid for the fare as we all mumbled a little something under our breath as we got out. That cab driver drove away with not only some of our money, but also with some of our pride.  

We walk for about 5 minutes in this nice sub-division then we stop in front of this big house with a stained glass window in the front and on it is a woman in a dress and she appears to be dancing. We ring the doorbell and the director Jonathan comes to the gate to let us in. He tells us to go upstairs and wait for him in his office.  As we're waiting I see a booklet that explains what and who Samaritana is and does.

Samaritana Transformation Ministries is a non-profit non-denominational organization that outreaches to the women of the Philippines who have been caught in prostitution or sex trafficking. By offering these women community, friendship and accompaniment, these women are also slowly freed up to be who they truly are, as people loved just for who they are, regardless of their backgrounds, and valued for who they can yet become as they begin to trust in themselves and others and as they renew and pursue their dreams and aspirations.

In the booklet there is also a story of a woman who was gang raped when she was 14 years old. Later she went to the streets and not only sold herself but sold other people as well to paying customers. She dealt with the torment of having to endure the insults from her community and she did that for years because it was the only way she could provide for her seven children. It goes on to talk about how now because of Samaritana and the Christ like love that she has been shown, she has left the sex trade behind and is on a new journey, a journey towards healing.

As Jonathan (the director) walked in the room, we quickly chatted and gave brief backgrounds about ourselves and talked about some upcoming events. Then Jon asked if we could see/buy some Christmas cards. Jonathan took us downstairs and introduced us to a lady who showed us all the cards. There were Christmas cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, fathers day cards, any card you could really think of. I turn it over and it says "This card was handcrafted for you by women who have escaped prostitution in the Philippines." Each and every single card was made by someone; someone like the girl who was raped when she was only fourteen, someone like the girl who escaped from a brothel or someone who only does what she does because it puts food in the mouths of her children.
Underneath the story it says "This card was made for you by" and whoever makes it signs it and if you go to the website www.sanctuaryspring.com you can learn more about the person who made the card and her story.

Better than any Hallmark card

The hard part is hearing all the stories that these women share. It angers you to a point that you want to do something but you just don't know what. I'm glad that there are organizations like Samaritana that exist to help these women but the fact that Samaritana does exist is just a reminder of the world that we live in.

A Rhino in a China Shop

     Within my first few days here in the Philippines I've quickly come to the realization that though our backgrounds are the same, our cultures are complete opposites. 

     On Sunday I went to the Commonwealth church and afterwards the youth had a fellowship/bible study that was led by my friend Jon.  The first question he asks is "Who bothers you and why?" A few of the kids answered. For a few minutes no one said anything and that's when he turned his attention to me and asked "How about you Kev? who bothers you?" Without a hesitation I replied with " My mom. She's so annoying sometimes and always is asking me to do things I hate doing." He politely gave me a nod and continued to ask the others the same question.

     After the study was finished, Jon and I jumped in a cab and headed back to his house.  During the ride Jon looks over at me with his shocked face and says "oh you kinda said something taboo today." I didn't say too much at the study so I almost instantly knew what he was talking about.... It was the comment I had made about my mom. You see in the Philippine culture, you will rarely hear kids speak bad about their parents because it's disrespectful and in ways makes them look bad.

     Jon said not to feel bad because there are going to be cultural barriers and lines that have to be broken or crossed  in order for people like "us" to know, learn and understand the culture. I was described as a giant rhino inside a shop of fine china. No matter which way I move i'm bound to break something.  Here's how I see it.... If I happen to break everything in the china shop that's fine with me because at least i'll have a clearer path and be able to move around a little easier.

Decisions, decisions.....

I have taken some chances in my life, but none as scary as the one I'm about to take.

I have the amazing opportunity to head to the Philippines for a few months and help my friend Jon Edralin and his family Carmi and Aaven and soon to arrive (Myla), with the ministry that they have going on there.
I will have the chance to speak with the young adults, work with people who are living in poverty stricken areas. I'll also be able to volunteer with a number of outreaches such as helping the youth at risk, hungry children and ex-prostituted persons.

The plan is to leave after my last day of class which will be at the end of this month. I am currently raising funds to help support this mission, but I am also looking for support from each and every one of you in the form of prayer. I know for a fact that God will provide the finances that are needed in order for me to be in the Philippines, but just knowing that you will be with me spiritually as prayer partners will help when times get tough. 

This may seem crazy and unrealistic but that is what God's love is all about.  We sin and we hurt him numerous times a day, yet he always calls us back and forgives us with open arms.... That is crazy and unrealistic to do and yet He does it.

I have no clue how to blog and I dont even know if this makes sense lol, but If you are interested in anyway to help support me on this mission whether it be financially or prayerfully, please contact me at kvnvarias@gmail.com

Kev