Compassion

Imagine 50+ children in a large room, singing a praise song to the Lord in their native language. They aren't just mumbling the words, or humming the tune, they are singing with all their hearts with their beautiful, strong voices, so that the music echoes against the walls.

At YC Edmonton every year there is a table covered in hundreds of pictures of children from all over the world. We remember gazing at the smiling faces and wondering about the lives of these children; what are they really like? The table belonged to Compassion International, the sponsorship program which has a center here in Cebu, where we have experienced these children's singing and seen their glowing, smiling faces for ourselves.

We've been with these kids every Tuesday and Thursday for a couple weeks now; there are large group sessions, like we had tonight, and small groups where us Ambers split up. We feel our niche in this ministry is building relationships with the kids, and investing in their lives. We're working hard at memorizing all their names, AND which face goes with which name. We've enjoyed helping to teach songs, and interacting with the kids, and Amber Rae actually got to teach a class! She teaches 6-8 year olds and believes kids say the darndest things. Example: "Ate Amber Rae.....you are a tall nose!" Amberlea works with 9-13 year olds, a trying age, but she has the BEST personality to work with these kids!! Amberkay's group is age 10-12. These kids have taken it upon themselves to teach her EVERY word in the Cebuano language, which is very sweet of them, but a little overwhelming since her brain seems to shut down after about the tenth word.

Tonight there was a "birthday celebration," which meant lots of games and birthday wishes. We've learned that in the Philippines prayers and wishes for good health in the future are more important than gifts. We taught them several games, including one where they either had to quack like ducks or moo like cows, (with eyes closed) and find each other. Pretty hilarious!

After eating our rice with the kids, a group of about 10 of them walked us back to their homes in Lorega and introduced us to their families. In the dark cemetary, with cockroaches crawling over our feet (or flying into our faces, as the case may be), with stray dogs and cats brushing past our ankles, it might not seem like the loveliest, or safest place to be on a warm night; yet somehow we felt peace and protection. As we stood among the tombs about to say goodbye, Ghonro, a strong little Christian asked us if we would pray for them. We gathered in a circle, and held hands and prayed God's blessing over them. Somehow we felt like tonight was our open door into our ministry in Lorega.

We're thrilled to be able to see these kids on Tuesday at Compassion again. To be honest, these kids are blessing us far more than we are blessing them. Amber Rae thinks this sounds cheesy. (but she still believes it)

Love,

the Ambers. (We're a band now).