Big Girls Don’t Cry part 2

My favorite story of healing and tears from the Race thus far is Day one of the Parent Vision Trip… I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel with all my other fellow racers awaiting the arrival of our parents. To be honest, I was freaking out. I had mixed emotions of anxiety and excitement. I was debating whether I had made the right decision of inviting them, so I prayed, “God give me the emotion I am searching for.”

The first van pulled up, and I swear I held my breath, not knowing how to react as the door slid open. I saw Daddy first, and I didn’t realize how fast I was moving until I realized that my arms were around him, while whispering, “I love you and I missed you,” while tears were streaming down my face. Then it hit me, where’s mom… She was behind him. I threw my arms around her too, and I didn’t even have to think, because I immediately said “I missed you so much and I love you more than you know.” I felt exactly that. I don’t think I’ve ever spoke truer words to either of them especially in that exact moment. I can tell you that I felt immense joy being beside them, and I knew I had made the right decision. I knew that this trip would be special and it was. The ministry we worked with was Wipe Every Tear—a mission designed to “bring kingdom” to women in the sex trafficking industry, God shows up, and the rest is history. The girls that are rescued and the volunteers with the ministry go back in small teams to find more women that want an out, a new dream to follow. Our first night of “Bar ministry,” was followed with out of comfort experiences, conversations, and smiles. My parents struggled in the bar scene, but they were champs at talking to the girls down walking street. I was so proud of them! I knew that it would be difficult. I mean, I was struggling too. The second night, we talked to and brought kingdom to many girls. Some of them called my mom their mom… it was so sweet! Mom and Dad loved them, encouraged them, and offered hope. It was so fun to watch God work through us and through the girls. They didn’t know it, but the love of God was upon them too, and I was blessed because of it. They may have been broken, but they were so strong. God was working through them. The next to last day of PVT was an exciting day. All thegirls that teams had talked to were supposed to meet us and ride with us to see and hear more about Wipe Every Tear. We waited, and after about an hour, the entire bus was filled with girls and women awaiting to learn more about this organization. I was so excited! I saw 3 of the girls I had talked to sitting on that bus! Once again, tears filled my eyes, and they seemed shocked to see me crying. A couple of the girls asked why I was crying, and I said, “I’m just so happy that you are safe…” They told me that I didn’t have to cry, but I said that it was ok, because they were ‘happy tears!’ One of the girls that asked, even let me hug her! God is so good.

I was told many times in the Philippines that “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and I’m happy to report that this one does! Even though, I’m still not a fan of crying in front of people, that doesn’t make me any less weak. I am strong. 

With that being said, I want to encourage those of you that have struggled with tears being a sign of weakness. Tears are a sign of strength. By releasing tears, you are releasing the emotions that are literally wearing you thin internally. God created tears to keep us healthy and happy, so don’t bottle up those tears! Rejoice instead that we were created to feel and open up ourselves into vulnerability of both sad, frustrated, and happy tears! If you have hardened your heart, it is not too late to allow God to heal you.

—Dear God, I just pray for those that are reading this. If they too have hardened their heart and they feel emotionally numb. I just pray that you would break those lies, those negative comments, and that struggle to be strong. Lord, heal them, give them tears, and comfort them in this time. Lord please strengthen them from their tears, and allow them to share what you have done and are doing in their life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Seeing Mom & Dad for the first time in months!

My parents, me & my new friend that led us into the bar ministry! 

Time for Mom & Dad to go back to America & for me to finish my race!