We're here!!

20/24/14

Our send off was great.

 Our traveling was tiring, yet exciting.

In Taipei our gate was hello kitty! The pink gave you a headache after a while..

Being here is INCREDIBLE.Being here is humbling. I have missed so many aspects of the simple life that we are beginning to live. Michael was telling someone that the rich life we are currently living in this country is poorer than the poor that live in America. The thought made me chuckle. We may have very meager possessions at the moment (and eating rice for every single meal since we have been here simply because it is cheap) but I feel SO incredibly rich and blessed! Especially being able to share EVERYTHING and share in the same emotions and spiritual encouragement with my best friend.

My beautiful kitchen!! :)

My pantry!!! I absolutely love it :) Although  could use a little bit more room.

Pray for us! Prayers are always a huge blessing.

-Sarah

If you would like to help support us financially press this button.
Thank you!

Note: Unfortunately, (for now) your gifts can NOT be Tax Deductible. We are working on ways to make that possible and will let everyone know when that option is available.

Michael and Sarah Jones
mjfjones96@gmail.com
sehodgie@gmail.com
www.journeytobacolod.blogspot.com

Newsflash!

Newsflash! Michael and Sarah Jones are leaving for Navotas, Philippines in two days!

10/17/2014
From Michael:
The last few weeks have been a blur of packing, cleaning, sorting, unpacking, decisions about money, decisions about timing, decisions about what to bring and what not to bring, decisions, decisions, decisions. We have sorted through everything we own picked a spot for everything, Throw away/donate, pack away for when/if we come back, and take with us to the Philippines. And believe me it’s super hard to decide knowing that I only have two suitcases (and a carry on) to fit my upcoming life into. Two questions have been very prominent in our house the last few weeks 1. Do you really need that? And 2. Are you having a missionary mindset? Both these questions have mainly come from Sarah and directed at me, she does a much better job of giving stuff up than I do. Example:
Michael: But babe! I really don’t think I can live without that!
Sarah: Michael, the kids living on the street don’t care about or watch football. So it’s really ok to leave your Tony Romo jersey here.
So as hard and sad as it is to leave my precious Dallas Cowboys gear in a box back in America, I am putting God first and thinking more about what will help me reach these faces,

not this face.

Jesus tells a man in Luke 18 that he needs to give everything he owns to the poor and follow Him, and that man was considered wealthy (he had a lot more than I do). So if Jesus calls a wealthy man like him to give away what he has, I can give up the small things that I have. God continues to mold and shape my heart and actions to be more like Him! As we move forward in this amazing adventure in sharing the love of Christ, we will continue to share with you all what God is doing in our lives and the lives of the people around us.
PRAYER NEEDS: 
No problems with our travels. 
That we will learn the language and culture quickly. 
That the people of the Philippines will see the love of God shining in us the moment we get off the plane, and that it will never stop shining through us.

PRAY PRAY PRAY FOR US!

Michael and Sarah Jones
mjfjones96@gmail.com
sehodgie@gmail.com
www.journeytobacolod.blogspot.com


If you would like to help support us financially press this button.
Thank you!

Note. Unfortunately right now your gifts can not be Tax Deductible. We are working on ways to make that possible and will let everyone know when that option is available.

Surprise!!!

August 19th, 2014

We were sitting in the car as I was trying to come up with a blog post announcing some pretty important news. Words were not coming as I stared at my blank document. I admit, I was discouraged and more then a bit overwhelmed by how life has recently been.
I have been contemplating this blog post for months. And months. And months; and yet even still, words did not come. You know those little moments that turn into huge "aha!" moments? The ones where God is giving you a soft thunk on the head and chuckling at your human density? It was one of those moments.
 For a while now we have refrained from rolling down our windows as once they are down, they stubbornly stay down. Today Michael happened to forget. Down the window went; and there it stayed. Slightly irritated (Bad wifely response!)I turned back to my computer screen and stared intensely at it, only to hear Michael begin to laugh softly.
"Why am I such an idiot?" He asked. I stared, more than slightly confused at him. He began to push the button upwards "You know, if my first response would be to ask God rather then wait, everything would be a lot easier. God please roll this window up." The window shot up and petered to a stop an inch or so from the top.
He laughed again, "gosh I'm so stupid. God please finish rolling the window up." The window quickly went up and sealed itself shut. Right as the window finished, the song 'Do something' came on. God was clearly was revealing himself to us in a few different ways!
-And that's where the big stuff falls in to place. Since the beginning of Michael and my relationship we told God that if this were going to work out HE would have to work it out. Since then, everything has quickly fallen into place. I worked in the country that has stolen my heart for 6 months, I returned to the states an married my best friend, and guess what? We are moving back to the Philippines!!
Yes. You read that correctly. God has blessed us with the initial funding and fiery passion to go.
We are currently praying for monthly support and sponsors to be able to continue to live there and work where we feel God has called us. We are SO excited to share this news with you!
There is only one small little drawback- we are planning to leave in early October. We don't know how long exactly we will be staying but we trust God to make His timing clear. We would LOVE to see all of you before we take off. So many of you have supported us and invested so much into our lives. We are INCREDIBLY thankful for each and every one of you. If you would like to continue to help there are a few things you can do.

• Pray. 

We NEED prayer. Desperately! There is so much for us to do and learn! And praying for us daily means more to us than anything.

• Supporting us financially. 

As I previously stated we are needing to raise monthly support and sponsors. Anyone that can commit to that is a huge blessing to us. Whether it be $5 a month or $200 a month. Any little thing helps.
We also still can use one time gifts. Visas and living expenses can become expensive, we are foreigners in a third world country (and OBVIOUSLY rich;]) Once again, any little thing helps and is a HUGE blessing and answer to prayers.
(We have included a link so that you an make online donations.) 

• Wanting to know more.

We are SO excited to share with everyone what we are doing. If you want to call/text/email us we would LOVE to talk to you about it.
Michael: (208)570-2625
mjfjones96@gmail.com
Sarah: (208)713-3101
sehodgie@gmail.com (Yes! I know I need to change it now that I'm a Jones!)
Since I was previously there we also would love to speak any group (church, school, youth group, bible study, etc.) to raise awareness and share Gods work being done in the Philippines.
You can also follow our blog at www.journeytobacolod.blogspot.com

• Spending time.

As I said before, so many of you have blessed us so much in the time we have known each other and we will miss you all greatly. So much is going on right now but we WANT to spend time with you . So if at some point we can connect at least once before we leave, we would be very thankful. Even if you just show up at the airport  to say goodbye. We love you all so much!

• Encouragement.
  
  We would really love to receive spiritual encouragement. Even just an email with a verse reference and letting us know that you are praying. 

Than you all for your love and support!

-Michael and Sarah Jones

Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”

Chinatown

3/7/14

We were walking past a church, a gorgeous catholic church.  It was an old crumbling building filled with hundreds of pristine pews, incense gently wafted through the air and breathtaking stained glass windows lined the walls. It was well kept and evidently quite a bit of money had been spent to keep it in such immaculate condition.

But walking on the outside you would have never known. Homeless people lined the sidewalks, kittens lay dead in rubble right outside. Nude babies slept on cardboard between the legs of their hungry parents. Barefoot 7 year old's held babies on their hips as they begged for money or food. It certainly paled in comparison to the scene inside of the walls not 3 inches away.

Action needed  to be taken; so off to McDonald's we went.  We bought food and headed off back to the streets.  We first searched out the children and began feeding them.  We found a group of about 5 children, and the eldest eagerly took the food from us. She immediately sat down and gave the 2 naked babies food first; she than began to feed herself and the other two.  The gratification on her face was priceless.  They were so hungry, yet so thankful for what little we gave them.

Next we began handing out food to several adults sitting outside of the door.  What happened next will stick in my mind forever.  This man blessed me more than I ever could have blessed him.

He sat there legless, his skin darkly tanned and leathery; his chin tucked in to his chest as he slept. He had hardly any clothes on and he sat on a piece of cardboard.  I crouched down next to him and whispered, "Kuya.."(A term of respect meaning brother) His eyes opened as he looked up at me. I handed him a small McDonald's box that had about a half cup of rice and a piece of chicken and he clutched it to his chest. His eyes met ours; an unbelieving look on his face.  The food slowly settled on his his lap and tears started forming. His lips parted in a very unattractively toothless-but very BEAUTIFUL smile.  In that second he was completely transformed.  He reminded me of a child. His eyes raised heavenward, and he pointed up then began dancing where he sat. He was like a child at Christmas time. He was SO thrilled to have this bit of hot food. Oh yes, he had no leg, no clothes, he was old and wrinkly, life had evidently been hard; no physical beauty but the child like beauty that he had in that moment far surpassed anything.  As we walked away I continually turned around to watch his face, that wonderful smile never once left his face. His head was bowed as he cradled the food in his hands and I was SO blessed to be able to witness that moment of the beauty of Christ.  I must confess; whenever I think of this story or explain it to someone I can not help but grinning.

Image I got from the internet of the church in Chinatown.

Human trafficking

February 28, 2014


She was tiny, no taller than 4'7.  She had big brown eyes and short curly hair, she was never loved, never wanted, and never cared for.  I mean, who would want her?  She was naughty, troublesome, another mouth to feed, and really just a pain.  At the age of 13 she was married off to a man many years older than she.  She suffered in his home; continually beaten and broken.  Her mind began to shut down.  For 13 years her life had been about rejection, she didn't even know what love was.  After 2 months of this torture she decided to run away.  She returned to her home only to be locked out.  Tears stung her eyes as her family turned their backs on her.  Again.  They hid in rooms and closets from her; keeping silent as she cried for help.  She soon took up residence in a nearby graveyard.  While there she was raped by 2 men.  She was broken, what was left for her?  A family that didn't love her, a husband that beat her and now even strangers took what they could from her.  She was tired, broken, hurt, and had nothing to live for.  She began to wander the streets and sell her body.  Her new goal in life was to survive; to fill her empty stomach and find a place to lay her head.  Thirteen years old and the most spoken name on the wharf.  ALL of the men wanted her; the men vied for the first chance to use her.  They took her in to a dark alley or a cheap hotel room; used her, degraded her small beautiful body, stripped her of her worth then left with out paying a single cent.  Some nights she still went to bed hungry.  She lived in constant fear of the pimps over her.  If she didn't perform right what would happen to her?

This story is true.  I don't know how she felt, or what she lived like day to day; I do know that the major facts in the story are real.  She really is that tiny, this story truly did happen.  She is no longer right in the head, she is very mentally impaired.  But she has a beautiful smile.  A few weeks ago she came asking for help and now is attempting to live away from that life style.  Shes hurting and broken, you can see it in her eyes.  But I have had the privilege to love on her and spend time with her.

Do you realize how many girls have stories similar to this? Girls much younger then this; 10, 11, 12 years old.  This story is not uncommon, in fact on the streets it is very common.  We can do something about it though.  And if you can't physically do something, I encourage you to pray for these girls.  They need it.  

Happy Hearts Day

2/19/14

Everyone is posting about Valentines day so I figure I should join the crowd. ;)

Love is the most powerful emotion in the world.  The most fulfilling, yet the most painful.  I think I got a taste of true sacrificial love today.  If you love someone, you put their needs above your own.  No matter the cost.

I bonded with a little boy the past few days.  He arrived Friday, a little three year old shy, scared and quiet baby.  We bonded instantly.  He wouldn't leave my arms.  He screamed and fought when I left him and my heart broke every time I heard him crying.
We were becoming too close.  Whenever I was busy he would sit quietly and wait until I was done and instantly grab my hand and come close as soon as I finished.  He watched me if I left his side, and instantly darted to me if he thought I was actually leaving.   I knew I had to start separating myself.  I have a little less then a week left., and to have me leave will be even more traumatic.  It will be hard on him, he is to young to understand.
The past couple of days I continually slipped away when I got him playing with the other kids and encouraged everyone else to take him from me, even when he screamed.  Oh yes my selfish little heart wanted him all to myself, but I knew that was what was best.  And then for the big transition, yesterday I left him.  All day.  I missed him, but I knew it was good for both of us.  Upon returning the following morning he would not look at me.  His eyes were downward, he would cry if I came near, and I think I officially feel like I was punched in the gut.  I love that little boy.  With his big chubby cheeks, and toothless grin. His pudgy short little legs, and the way his hand wrapped around mine.  But because I love him so much, I'm willing to step back.  He will NEVER remember this, he's not going to remember some girl he used to love on all the time, and he will never understand why I left and why I drew back.  But I will, and I know it is best.  But that does not stop the pain I feel; its hard to see his face and hear him with out having to fight back tears.  It may have only been a short 5 days, but I love that boy with all of my heart. We clicked instantly, he fit perfectly in my arms.   Real love protects.  When you truly love someone, you do everything you can to protect them.  A love that comes from God is about giving of yourself.   So he may never know how much of my heart he has, but I am so thankful I got him for 5 wonderful days.   And I am honored to be able to show him my love in this way, even though he may never know how much this girl loves her boy!
Everyday I will pray that he finds a family, a mama that loves him more than life itself. A daddy that teaches him to be a man and he knows the kind of love he so desperately wants. I hope someday he has a relationship with Christ so that I may see my boy when we're both home.  And I hope someday he knows the true definition of love; sacrifice.

"Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no records of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails." 

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Moments of beauty

2/17/2014


I remember how incredibly blessed I am just to be living my life the way I am when...


I walk in to a room full of little boys and my hair all done up for church; and they immediately start playing with it. They run their grubby hands through my hair and when gotten after they very carefully and respectfully remove their hands and take turns gently kissing my hair with their just as grubby lips.

I walk in to the house in the morning and I'm attacked and kissed by 11 crazy little boys and told how much they missed me.

A 4 year old come and places his hands on my cheeks and kisses my forehead. Whispers, "I love you." Then kisses my nose, both of my eyes, kisses my cheeks and then plants a big sloppy one on my mouth and walks away.

A special needs child comes and sits in my lap and sure, she is dirty, she has some type of illness that is highly contagious, she's causing a ruckus and interrupting things and being loud, but the smile you see on her face is worth it.

I am reading a book and it suddenly becomes a huge cuddle pile full of laughter and hugs.

One of my babies is clinging to me and I have no desire to ever let him go.

One of my boys comes and wraps their arms around my waist for a second then runs off to play.

I'm bathing someone and they are being as uncooperative as possible; dancing around and wiggling about and I end up soaking wet and laughing.

I'm sitting at a table full of children and watch them laughing and talking and seeing the joy in their faces.

When I'm singing worship songs with my boys at the top of our lungs and dancing around the house.

I hear the kids giggling and playing.

My baby falls asleep on my lap, his hand clutching mine.


Its moments like these that I am clearly reminded about what an AMAZING God we have.  Its moments like these when I realize how blessed I am.