Team Shabach with the governor of Bukidnon Province
One of the coolest parts of our time in Malaybalay has been the incredible diversity of opportunities that have been available to us. Of course, our primary responsibilities are the orphanage and the various manual labor jobs around camp, but we’ve been given a valuable glimpse at the amazing work that God is doing in this city and met many of the men and women rising up to do that work.
Sunday night we went to a gathering of the City Scholars and a gangster
ministry, two meetings for two very diverse groups of teens in
Malaybalay. They are headed up by Pastor Rodney, an incredible man with
an amazing circle of influence pursuing every part of this city for
Christ. The City Scholars are students at the local university,
including some of the brightest minds in the school, who regularly meet for bible
students and fellowship. An ex-gang leader Richard and ex-drug
lord Jason are pursuing the thriving gang community in town in an
amazing outreach that is such an incredible picture of the heart of
Christ, hanging out in the darkest places this world has to offer. Rodney also runs bible studies with teachers and prison guards, is the spiritual adviser to the mayor and governor, pulls young girls out of the prostitution ring that is so quick to feed off financial hardships, and regularly visits with the mountain tribal groups for feedings and building schools. Yea…you can read through that list a few times if you need to.
On Monday we were able to visit with the governor, the honorable Alex P. Calingasan, through various connections at the camp. He was pleased to have a roomful of American guests as we told him about the World Race, and subsequently serenaded him. Chris and Carmen performed a rousing rendition of the American classic “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, and I joined Jasmin and Leyna on “Lead Me to the Cross.” It was neat hearing the heart of the governor, and the humility with which he holds his position in view of Christ and the vision he has for the city he’s been put in authority over. The governor invited a few of us to join him on Tuesday for a values formation seminar that he holds regularly for government employees, casting his vision for how the city is run from the bottom up, so Bethany, Bridget, Michael and I went out and shared a bit of our stories. There’s a big work being done in this city, and it’s such a blessing seeing the hearts and partnering with the people who will be behind it
