Life in The Family International

I didn’t think it could happen so quickly, but you know that verse, “with God all things are possible”? It’s been the key to EVERY impossible situation for me.

Just days after arriving in Manila, I started looking around for people to help me put together a Christmas party for kids with cancer at the local hospital in Manila. I used to volunteer about seven years ago with the kids, and I’d helped to organize a couple parties for them before. I wanted to relive those amazing times now, but I didn’t know how doable it was.

I just got here, all my old friend’s phone numbers have changed; I feel like a little microscopic ant in a big city. But I revisited the old hospital, and again my heart broke for the little bodies whose souls were so strong and who faced their future with bravery. We had to give them a merry Christmas!

I found my first sponsor at an art exhibition, my second one at a coffee shop, my third one in a travel agency, and I feel like the adventure is still unfolding. I thought God was doing awesome things for me in Africa. Well, He’s the same God, working his same magic for me here.

A friend of mine wanted to buy presents for all the kids, so the last time I was at the hospital I went around making a Christmas wish list from all the kids. Most were simple ones—a doll, a book, a car, etc. But 6 year old Nino wanted “to go home for Christmas”. (Don’t we all at some time or another?)

While picking up the sponsorship for the party food from another friend who happened to work at a travel agency, I asked him if he could look up plane rates to the little boy’s province, then maybe we could try around for a sponsor. He told me he’d call the airline himself and see what could be arranged. The next morning came the wonderful news: “I got a verbal agreement from the airline to waive the fare,” he said. Two tickets for free for the boy and his parent to go home for Christmas! I excitedly texted a few of my friends that the little boy’s wish had come true!

My main sponsor asked me to put together a list of the kids’ most important needs. I wrote a letter explaining that although we’d like to give every kid the necessary medicine, it wasn’t realistic, but that across the board, all the kids needed multivitamins and milk supplements. She took this letter around to her friends and in two days, called me up with more wonderful news: over $2,000 US in donations for the vitamins and milk.

Oh my God. Can you imagine my excitement right now? I’m going crazy! Everything is happening just like I wished for the kids. And I barely did a thing. The Lord did it all, with the help of some really good friends and people who are putting their efforts together to make this little party happen…tomorrow!

I’ve only been in town four weeks, exactly. But my little sisters already put together a dance to perform for the sick kids, and they’re ecstatic about performing for the first time in their lives. By the way, they’re good enough for MTV, trust me. Even I’m impressed!

Yesterday, I was throwing out frantic SOS’s for a Santa. My sponsor wanted a Santa Claus to pass out the kid’s presents during the show, but it didn’t seem anyone was available to do it. That was a last minute freak-out, but after calling up different friends, the problem was solved. I have a young, French model guy playing the role tomorrow. Wow. And the girl who worked out to borrow an outfit for him happens to live in the same building! So they can fit the costume together without me having to run around that part of town today.

I’m just having the best time. Back here in Manila, I’m still a bit worried about my future…what will happen weeks or months from now, how I’m gonna support my huge family…and what my mission for the Lord will be here? But so far so good. I haven’t had much time to catch up with my blogs, but every day has been a miracle, I can say that much. In fact, there really is tons to write about, I’m just doing the ol’ procrastination thing.

I’ll write more tomorrow…

—And let you know how the party at the hospital goes. Can’t wait!

Nyx is a vounteer Missionary Member of The Family International. Her missions have taken her through South East Asia, India, East Africa and South Africa. She currently runs charity projects for terminally-ill, indigent children in The Philippines and is also a child-education consultant, youth counsellor, freelance writer for TV, radio, magazines, a voice-talent, illustrator, artist, Events Host and Music Marketer. She is the eldest of 13 siblings, and a Taurean who enjoys spicy food, open-bar nights, long baths, photographing people, and throwing festive parties. Dislikes: Whiny women, bratty children, spoiled men. More about Nyx

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 15th, 2005 at 5:19 pm and is filed under Outreach. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.