~ Missions ~

I got back from a missions trip to the Philippines yesterday. Wow, it was amazing. Spending even a week in another country really can affect how you look at your daily life. It affects your thoughts on how things that are routine for you may be impossible or rare for others.

Overall, however, I'm torn between being happy to be back home and sad to be away from Cebu. I've been to the Philippines twice before, but I never have been so very attached to a place as I am now to the village we went to, except where I live currently. I hope I don't forget any important memories from my trip. That would make me more depressed than I already am.

Please keep the Filipinos in your prayers as they continue recovering from the effects of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. Seeing the damage and extent of poverty firsthand has really affected the way I think about property and wealth. I sat down at my table and instantly thought it was odd for all the walls in the building to be painted and for there to be so much nice stuff sitting around, unused. Why is it that the poorest people are the ones who are the happiest? Why are the rich so miserable? We really don't need all this extra stuff to live our lives to the fullest. Every person in the village  had a smile on their face. They are the kindest, most loving and friendly people I've ever met. There surely can be nothing more important than friendship and serving others while living one's life for God. I have no doubt about that.

You all are quite dear to me. :3
Ryuuko~