We were chatting with the language director here in the language school before we had lunch today. We casually mentioned about Filipino friends working here in Thailand as missionaries.
“To be honest, our organization is… struggling to have Filipinos work here in Thailand… because of the level of support that is coming in from the Philippines.” Ouch. That hurt.
Over the last few days I was on a journey with the Filipino people. Thanks to technology, I was able to connect with what is going on there. From the drama of hostage-taking, to the different opinions of our beauty queen’s answer on the question and answer portion. I have watched youtube posts about a Korean and his opinion on the Philippines, an English man’s view saying that the difference between Indonesia and the Philippines is that Indonesia has hope (and implying that the Philippines do not? Oh please!), a Filipino’s disgust on the situation, to some few hopefuls that our country can rise again. I am patriotic, but I don’t know what to think sometimes.
And now this statement– from someone who is possibly sympathetic about the Filipinos possibly wanting to be a part of their prestigious organization but just cannot because of financial constraints.
I feel pain. Are we that limited? I strongly believe that Filipinos could make the most excellent missionaries. We are one of those races that are so highly adaptable, we are a broken people. We can live under great risks, lack, hunger, separation, name it.
When I read, see and hear about other peoples’ opinions about the Philippines and when I listen to my heart and remember what God promised for the Philippines, I am strengthened. Filipinos cannot go to missions because of the level of support coming in? I beg to disagree. We can go because God wants us to go, He can move mountains and divide seas if He has to.
And someone said…