It’s been 5 years since we opened the doors to Lighthouse Sanctuary here in the Philippines.  I remember receiving our license in August 2018 and thinking, “Oh I hope we can manage the flood of children who will be referred.”  August passed and no one was referred, September passed and no one was referred, October I cried most of the month and then started to question the work that we had put in for the 2 years prior.  By November I knew I needed to submit to His timing and His plan, even though I was not sure at that point what that plan was.

On Thanksgiving Day a sweet, 5 year old girl was referred.  She was scared and didn’t want to stay but her mother comforted her and let her know we were here to protect her until they could make their home a safe place.  The next day (still Thanksgiving Day in the US) an 11 year old girl was referred.  She spoke a foreign dialect to all, and was confused and angry.  That Thanksgiving weekend my heart was so full of gratitude to God for every aspect of my life!  I knew that these girls were His children and it was a privilege to be in a position of helping them.  Within 2 weeks there were two more children referred and I could see that Lighthouse Sanctuary was now in full swing.  

The work was hard!!!  The first children were not sure they could trust us, since there weren’t any other children to assure them. I was so grateful for every moment the Lord had given me to prepare for this work.  I was tested in every way to see what an environment of verbal, physical and sexual abuse could do to an innocent child.  

Six months after we received our first referral, our family was exhausted, stressed out and feeling that the weight was all on our shoulders. Our children were feeling the affects of the work and we didn’t know what to do.  As we prayed about it we received an answer to take our children and go back to Utah.  We accepted the answer, but then I started to struggle with self doubt and fear that I had failed.  When I would turn to the Lord I would have peace that it would all work out, but when I wondered what others would think, I felt awful.  How could I explain to our donors that we were leaving the shelter just months after starting it?  I knew our staff was capable and I knew God could provide but I only questioned what my role was and if I had anything to offer.  

We got home in 2019 just before the school year started and I promised my kids a school year in Utah before returning to the Philippines, although I had no idea what the Lord’s plan really was.  Fast forward six months, the pandemic ended their school year and we were stuck in Utah for a full year longer.  Lighthouse Sanctuary was able to be a refuge during the pandemic and grew in strength and number as time went on.  It was another testament to me that Lighthouse is God’s and He is just allowing people the privilege to do the work.  It was also a testament to me that God knew what was coming and He knew what our family needed.  

It was amazing to return back to the shelter after so long to see it full and thriving.  The children were trusting that God sent them there and they were learning and healing. The staff had remained strong and they were grateful to have a job through the pandemic.  They told us how they were so happy to be spiritually uplifted and refined through their work during such an unpredictable time.

More and more social workers and police officers were seeing the lives of the children change for the better after they were referred and they started spreading the word.  In these 5 years of operations, we have now served 100 children.  Most have returned back to their homes or a home of a safe family.  12 still continue to enjoy safety within the shelter as of today.  Some left with the skills of a great leader for their families and friends.  Others are still learning and growing, but all say they cannot deny the love they felt at Lighthouse.

That love is so real, so tangible that last year when Elder Bangerter (Area President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) was encouraged to drop by and see the work, he claimed that his “life was changed forever.”  He said the “spirit of love was poured over him like water.”  He could feel the Lord asking him to do something but he wasn’t sure what it was.  He took a video of the girls singing and asked if he could share it with Elder Renlund (an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.)  He encouraged me to write a proposal letter to the LDS Charities for whatever we needed.  

Our family knew then that it was time to expand the work.  We proposed that LDS Charities would fund a new shelter.  They not only agreed with our request but added more than we asked for.  We broke ground 3 months later and it was a sacred event.  That same love of God poured down like water over each of us.  The building was started right away and Elder Renlund, along with his wife and other church leaders came to visit and leave a powerful blessing for the future success of God’s work through Lighthouse Sanctuary.  

Our family recently moved closer to the new shelter, (7 hours from the first) in order to hire, train and prepare it for children.  The building is estimated for completion and ready for occupancy before Thanksgiving Day of this year.  We are already feeling so thankful for the opportunity to see how God works through his disciples, imperfect and all, to create miracles that bless the lives of so many.  To God be the glory for the first 5 years of miracles for Lighthouse!  May His name be praised for every success, every step of progress, every ounce of hope added to this work and this world.  

Happy 5th Anniversary to every donor who makes Lighthouse possible, to every child who benefitted and every staff member who served diligently!  May God’s love continue to pour over you.