the day we all arrived at the Children’s Garden (Philippines) and TonTon made
it his mission to learn all of our names. I remember all the times we did
karate together and how we would laugh at how horrible we were. I remember the
fist pounds we’d do every morning. I remember when TonTon would try to sneak
into my small group. I remember when his small group joined mine. I remember
when he danced alongside the other boys at Courtney and Nate’s birthday
celebration. I remember when he danced at Miki’s 18th birthday
party. I remember when TonTon prayed over Mike and his kidney stones stopped
hurting. I remember when he cried while sharing his testimony. I remember when
he cried when we left.
A couple
days ago, I got word that TonTon had run away. I was shocked. So I
emailed one of our contacts at the Children’s Garden, or CG, to get more
information. This was her response:
“Hi Lisa, he didn’t ran away but
expressed he wants out after a fight with Jude. 🙁 We talked to him and seems
like theres no words to make him stay. So, our social worker talked to him and
said we can send him home for vacation. Maybe for a week. Until he clears his
mind…and if he decided to come back to CG, we’ll be open arms to accept him
back.
Please pray for TonTon and his family. They are very very poor and live only in
a shack..we see a great potential in TonTon…this June, we are planning to
bring him to attend a regular school. I hope he’ll decide to come back.”
Yesterday, CG staff was able to visit
him at his home but he wanted nothing to do with them and refused to talk.
This breaks
my heart.
God, I pray
that TonTon recognizes your unfailing love. Even
though he ran away, your love never fails. Also, I pray the staff at CG
finds strength in you only God. We give this situation to you and put it in
your hands. Bring our boy home.
