Second First Anniversary

One month. I realized this week that today marks a month since I've been in Tacloban. It is the second month that I have been in the Philippines. In a neat turn of events, I ended up going to the airport today to meet some people. When I arrived back in Tacloban in February, I could tell that a lot had changed in the 3 weeks that I had been gone. Today, one month later, there was even more of a difference. While some people who have never been here may ride through the city and see destruction, it's pretty neat to have a perspective where you can see a good change happening. Yes, there is still damage, and there is still need. I don't forget that. I talk to people every day with great needs. But there is also rebuilding, and reopening of businesses, and more and more activity.

To summarize a month, I'd say: business. The easiest thing to see is a check list in front of you, reminding you of things yet to be done. And, if that doesn't do it, then like I said, there are many people to talk to in which you are quickly reminded. I think it's important not to neglect either realization- that restoration is happening, but also that there is still need.

While there is a lot of focus outward, I think it's also important to look at myself and contemplate what a month means to me. It's easy to see people and to see checklists and not to stop and think about what God is doing in me, or trying to teach me. I'd say, the biggest thing for me in stepping out of 'normal' life and into a new job, new office, new culture, new everything, is learning a new reliance on the Lord. I tend to be one that likes challenges, and I like victories, but recognizing that it's not my strength which accomplishes anything is important. If the challenge is great enough, we turn to God crying out for help. I think in the little things, we want to take credit for that ourselves. As I reflect on a month, I see God at work around me, and I see God at work in me. My prayer is that each day, I will praise God in the little triumphs as well as the big ones, and not just stop every month or so to recognize and celebrate what I see Him doing. I think that can be a challenge for us, just getting swept away in the day to day and never taking time to reflect or to process or to be thankful.

So, as I look towards another day, and another month, I'd like to throw down a challenge to you that I'll be taking on myself: look for God at work in and around you. Thank Him for the little triumphs each day- cause you may think it's your strength, but you don't even have breath without God- the creator and sustainer of life... of you. It'll be good for you!