Well, it’s about that time. This is my last blog from the Philippines, for this round at least, representing my last day and night there in the big city of Manila. I was only able to spend two short days here this time, but I have been so blessed to meet so many different people. However, with new World Racers coming in and volunteer teams in abundance, one last conversation stuck out to me that really helped wrap up the Philippines for me. It wasn’t during any scheduled ministry time (I don’t know if any of it was ever scheduled…) but it was on my way out of the country. Rey was my cab driver, and praise God for traffic because we were able to have a nice talk.
Rey has been working as a driver for 22 years now, ever since he was 18. Not too long after his 18th birthday he was married with child number one on the way. He and his wife were young, but their plan was to do things right. He would stick by her side and provide for her in whatever way he could. Before his 21st birthday, baby girl number two was on her way and Rey’s promise got a little tougher. As an uneducated, twenty-something, work job opportunities weren’t exactly the most abundant, so like many men in this country, Rey had to make a sacrifice. A driving company in Saudi Arabia gave him a call and a job offer that would not just provide for the well being of his wife and daughters, but would give them a real shot at higher education.
Over the next 18 years, Rey would spend two year driving and then have 6-18 months back home with his family, and then back for another two years. This cycle continued until his girls reached college and Rey was able to pay for it all himself. As soon as the girls started their studies, Rey returned home to keep driving in his home country, and be we his family for good. It wasn’t long before he and his wife were able to celebrate the birth of their third child, after 18 years of living apart. I asked him why he did what he did and if he had any regrets when he looked at his life. He just looked at me and said, “Even if I did, that’s what men do.”
We probed a little deeper into what his full view of manhood was and what he thought of religion and the Gospel, but I couldn’t shake our initial conversation. What if that was how God called me to provide? What if I had to give up everything to take the one option to provide for my family, instead of “stressing” over which option of provision I would take? Sometimes, the lines between cultures can blur, especially in big cities, but this idea is just so foreign to me. Why am I so privileged? I praise God for the blessings, but I still can’t help for wonder…
