This next is the type of person you pray you will meet when you come into a new country. Sure, it’s nice to be prepared and have some support from home, but if you can’t find locals that will support you, you’re sunk most of the time. Mr. Jun Antipasado is such a blessing from God, that I can’t even explain it. He is a local politician and one of the most influential people I’ve met here so far. He is also a member of our board out here, so he has quite the pull in decision making as well.
Up to this point, I’ve honestly been more intimidated by this man then anything, but this past week changed that. I was able to take a trip with him, which just so happened to be to the city he went to college to and met his wife, and I was able to see a whole new side of him. One of the most intimidating things to me is when men of influence don’t speak as much. I came to find out that the reason this man didn’t speak as much, was because when he did speak, people listened. The first part of our car ride was rather quiet, but it wasn’t long until his personality came out.
Over the trip, I learned a lot about this man and even got to drive around the city he knew so well, and hear the stories of his college life. This man is such a believer of service and protecting and taking care of the people around him (much like a politician SHOULD be…), and it’s obvious to see it. He’s shown it through big events like by helping support our weekly feedings, and even to the more intimate levels, like helping me research the case of some of the inmates. It has been a blessing to have a Filipino that truly cares for his people catch our vision run with it. I know God is a big God and will accomplish anything He wants, but things just happen when Jun puts his name behind. By the way, he knows this is totally God’s influence in his life, so that’s a blessing to know as well.
It’s such a blessing to have his support because things are just happening so fast now. I’m blessed not just by his support however, but also just by hearing his story and sharing a little of his life with him. Thank you Sir…
