Menchie
As most of you know, in 2010 I went to live in the Philippines after I graduated from college. God led me there to spend time working with the people not having a slight inclination as to what would happen, but God had a very specific plan. You can refer back to my original blog http://theradicalexperiment.blogspot.com, which talks about the work that He did. What brings me here tonight is a particular miracle that God allowed me to be apart of. Her name is Menchie. It was brought to my attention that there were a group of mothers that were part of a children's center called Agape Child Care Center. The director asked that pastor Benji and I would go around visiting the mothers and letting them know about Jesus. Little did we know how much of an adventure we were in for. Each mother has a unique and an incredible story. Here is the post from 2010 that I wrote about one of those mothers, Menchie.
Another mother was actually sleeping when we went to visit her. I felt terrible for waking her up, but she wanted us to talk with her. We were able to share with her and her mother. When I asked them if they wanted to ask Jesus into their heart they both started crying and said yes and right there prayed to receive Jesus. I followed up with them and shared with them verses about how Jesus will never leave them and He will always stay in your heart. The mother proceeded to tell me that her husband left her a year ago because he did not want to support them anymore. She has three small children and one of them the husband took. She is also very sick now and is not able to afford the medicine. My heart broke for them but God continued to remind me that He is now with them and no longer do they have to trust in this world or other people for support but they can trust in the One who is the ultimate provider!
This was on August 19, 2010 when I first met Menchie. During the five months I was there, the very next visit after that date was a drastic change. The Menchie from my first impression was uncharacteristic of Filipinos because she wasn't smiling and it felt that there was a huge burden weighing on her. The next visit and the weeks to come she greeted us with the biggest smile and never stopped smiling while leading her through Bible study and discipleship.
In 2011, I had the joy of introducing my mom to the all of the mothers from Pili. It was exciting for me because as I am not a mom I felt that I missed that connection between me and the mothers. Mom had several notebooks donated that we could give to the mothers that year. We included all of the notebooks with paper and pens and explained how to have devotions during your own time. When we followed up with Menchie she not only had a devotion that she had done on her own but was making scripture applicable to her. She explained that while reading the scriptures she had a hard time understanding but had remembered the verse that my mom shared with her that talks about praying to seek understanding for God's Word. She prayed and asked for understanding and what astounded me is what she explained about what she learned during her devotion. The verses talked about not being judgemental and Menchie went on to talk about how even though her husband left her and her three small children, she cannot be judgemental towards him. How could someone be so calm and have such wisdom on a situation that is at the same time so devastating. One thing, her relationship with Christ.
Unfortunately with my move to Virginia this year in 2012 I was unable to go back to the Philippines to do follow up; however, my mom was able to report back. Menchie had been attending the weekly Bible study in Pili and I also was able to receive hand written letters from her. Two were in Tagalog and one in English which writes:
Sister Christie in Christ,
Same to you, how are you and I think of you sometimes to be combined with you and me in Christ and thank for your prayer for me to support my spiritual needs and I hope that someday I awake I'm one together on mission and I want to do my mission God gave me. And about my family we are doing well but we are need of spiritual guide of God and to learn more about from God. I want to see you again. And thank for the prayer to provide my family needs and comfort from our God. And thank to God that you and your mother sister Maureen gave for me and others needs to know love of God and learn more about God. Thank to God so much, sister Christie and sister Maureen in Christ, God gave for me. and I want to meet many missionaries someday.
Thank Divine Master for everything, I love you God and to your love for one bind.
-Menchie Maupay
I realized I had a different framed letter from her as well that has been sitting on my dresser since I've moved here to VA. Last week I received word that Menchie was not doing well and not expected to live. Tonight, September 30, 2012 I received an e-mail that Menchie went home to be with the Lord. While it is hard to understand, I praise and thank God that Menchie is with Him now.
While there are so many more details and stories just like hers that I have had the privilege of seeing transformed lives come to Christ, it is all the more challenging to keep pressing on. There are so many more lives, just like Menchie, that are needing to hear the gospel. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed: and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
Another mother was actually sleeping when we went to visit her. I felt terrible for waking her up, but she wanted us to talk with her. We were able to share with her and her mother. When I asked them if they wanted to ask Jesus into their heart they both started crying and said yes and right there prayed to receive Jesus. I followed up with them and shared with them verses about how Jesus will never leave them and He will always stay in your heart. The mother proceeded to tell me that her husband left her a year ago because he did not want to support them anymore. She has three small children and one of them the husband took. She is also very sick now and is not able to afford the medicine. My heart broke for them but God continued to remind me that He is now with them and no longer do they have to trust in this world or other people for support but they can trust in the One who is the ultimate provider!
This was on August 19, 2010 when I first met Menchie. During the five months I was there, the very next visit after that date was a drastic change. The Menchie from my first impression was uncharacteristic of Filipinos because she wasn't smiling and it felt that there was a huge burden weighing on her. The next visit and the weeks to come she greeted us with the biggest smile and never stopped smiling while leading her through Bible study and discipleship.
In 2011, I had the joy of introducing my mom to the all of the mothers from Pili. It was exciting for me because as I am not a mom I felt that I missed that connection between me and the mothers. Mom had several notebooks donated that we could give to the mothers that year. We included all of the notebooks with paper and pens and explained how to have devotions during your own time. When we followed up with Menchie she not only had a devotion that she had done on her own but was making scripture applicable to her. She explained that while reading the scriptures she had a hard time understanding but had remembered the verse that my mom shared with her that talks about praying to seek understanding for God's Word. She prayed and asked for understanding and what astounded me is what she explained about what she learned during her devotion. The verses talked about not being judgemental and Menchie went on to talk about how even though her husband left her and her three small children, she cannot be judgemental towards him. How could someone be so calm and have such wisdom on a situation that is at the same time so devastating. One thing, her relationship with Christ.
Unfortunately with my move to Virginia this year in 2012 I was unable to go back to the Philippines to do follow up; however, my mom was able to report back. Menchie had been attending the weekly Bible study in Pili and I also was able to receive hand written letters from her. Two were in Tagalog and one in English which writes:
Sister Christie in Christ,
Same to you, how are you and I think of you sometimes to be combined with you and me in Christ and thank for your prayer for me to support my spiritual needs and I hope that someday I awake I'm one together on mission and I want to do my mission God gave me. And about my family we are doing well but we are need of spiritual guide of God and to learn more about from God. I want to see you again. And thank for the prayer to provide my family needs and comfort from our God. And thank to God that you and your mother sister Maureen gave for me and others needs to know love of God and learn more about God. Thank to God so much, sister Christie and sister Maureen in Christ, God gave for me. and I want to meet many missionaries someday.
Thank Divine Master for everything, I love you God and to your love for one bind.
-Menchie Maupay
I realized I had a different framed letter from her as well that has been sitting on my dresser since I've moved here to VA. Last week I received word that Menchie was not doing well and not expected to live. Tonight, September 30, 2012 I received an e-mail that Menchie went home to be with the Lord. While it is hard to understand, I praise and thank God that Menchie is with Him now.
While there are so many more details and stories just like hers that I have had the privilege of seeing transformed lives come to Christ, it is all the more challenging to keep pressing on. There are so many more lives, just like Menchie, that are needing to hear the gospel. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed: and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
The first time meeting Menchie in 2010
Mom and I with Menchie in 2011
Some of our mothers from Agape Child Care Center
Originally posted: September 30, 2012
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