Overlooked Overpass

His hair was dark, dirty, tangled and matted. He was just above waist height, wearing yellow shorts, and wore no shoes. He lived under an overpass with approximately 30 other Filipinos. The area under and surrounding this overpass was filthy, with mounds of garbage lining the horizon, the sound of traffic ringing in your ears, and the smell of trash found its home within your nostrils. A smell so thick you could taste it. All of your senses work overtime, while visiting such a place, but through the sensory explosion you still manage to catch glimpse of the children’s joy and get to share in the infectious laughter.

Our ministry this month involves forming friendships, trading testimonies, and living love. As a team we are serving alongside a place called ‘Children’s Garden’. It is an orphanage for young men, 15-18 years old. It is a place of refuge, learning, discipline, and growth. Children’s Garden receives kids from the street, or from other orphanages, and shares with them God’s love. Many of these young men faced challenges with stealing, swearing, alcohol and even drugs. Children’s Garden gives these young men an opportunity to start from scratch, and discover the true potential within themselves.

Twice weekly Children’s Garden does outreach in the community. This past Tuesday afternoon we were able to participate with them. Sharing testimonies and the Good News with the people living under an overpass. As was explained above it is difficult to be in such a place. Knowing that when you leave, you will head back to headquarters for a shower and warm meal.

You may be wondering, “Why is there so much garbage, let alone families living under this overpass?”

Our story takes place just before the most recent typhoon that hit the Philippines. Homeless families found refuge under the overpass. They built small houses out of scrap metal, wood or plastic. This was a community of about 50 or so individuals.

That’s when tragedy hit! A typhoon hit Philippines that ended up washing away any physical existence of the community that had lived there. Their houses were gone in the blink of an eye.

As a clean up procedure, the government moved all the rubble, rocks, garbage etc. under the overpass. The people who lived there originally were given time in a facility, which held about 100 families all together. After the clean up was complete, the government made these families move out, many returning to the streets. Most headed to where they started, only to find that they would now be living in garbage, or a worse situation than they started in. The governments priority was far from helping these families.

Children’s Garden heads into these communities to share hope with these people. A hope that cannot be found in anything, or anyone, but Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, not cause grief. To grant you a future and a hope.