Month 4 in the Philippines. Words can’t describe how much God worked my heart. The month was full of joy and laughter. At the same time there was a lot of brokenness and hurt.
The boys home we stayed at was an amazing experience into what it looks like not only help at risk youth but also offer them to tools and resources to give back to others. The boys aged between 11 and 22. They participated and lead VBS. They were actively involved in the outreach programs. On Friday night the older boys set out a time to hangout with street kids. Most of these kids come from families that just can’t provide shelter, food, or simply abandoned. The first night I went out I started throwing the youngest one in air. He couldn’t have been older than 10. The longer we played the more kids wanted to join. Before I knew it I had the older boys around 16-18 wanting to be thrown into the air or spun around. Seeing the joy on their faces was so beautiful. Knowing that they have been missing this was heartbreaking. I was out there every Friday and every time I met new ones. We couldn’t communicate much but they knew what I was trying to tell them.
The same message we shared at a VBS in the slums outside of the capital city of Manila. This place was right beside a three year old landfill that you would have thought was ten years old. The hearts of the people in that community where above and beyond hospitable. Multiple families offered to let me watch a basketball game in their home. Being in their 25ftx25ft home was difficult to watch the family of five love me as well as each other. The kids loved playing during the day. They would take me exploring and find gems in the cracks. We had home visits and we prayed for families. I think seeing their faces looking surprised and pleased to have someone from the outside visit moved them a little. I wondered how often they were just looked down on.
If there is anything that takes the prize for this last month, it would be the opportunity and privilege I had to meet some awesome men and women at night. Burgos Street is the closest thing to a red light district I’ve seen on the race. I found myself praying for a drug dealer named Miken on the sidewalk. I shared a coffee and tea with Jenni a transsexual which ended with a prayer. I came to know a sweet lady named Amilia who’s made her living for 19yrs selling roses. Most of my time was with the staff of a club. There I almost became family. I got to hear lots of their stories. I requested and received a lot of prayer requests. There, I shared joys and sorrows. The good and bad was out. There I bought bibles to give out, I shared the gospel, and prayed with some of them. My last night out I felt the Lord tell me that it was time to do more.
That night I prayed with seven people who invited Jesus into their hearts. It was as if God was asking me to walk in what I just preached. To walk in faithfulness into the unknown. Sometimes we plant seeds, others water and few see the fruits.
Each month had been better than the last and now here in Thailand, I can’t wait to see what is in stored. I’m 81% funded but have faith. Thank you all so much.
