After an enjoyable day of ministry, my team and
another joined up to go to downtown Manila to watch a movie on Saturday night.
The thirteen of us crammed into two trikes (a motorcycle with an attached covered
buggy on the side) for the first leg of the trip and then one taxi van to reach
our final destination.
The majority of us watched “Allison and Wonderland,”
but I opted to see “Up in the Air” with
George Clooney. While this film came out on Christmas day back in the States
and I knew the plot, I was as intrigued to watch it the other day as I was in
December.
While I knew the premise of the film, which centered
on Clooney’s aloof character, I was surprised by my reaction to his gradual growth
and unfolding. But more than that-I was surprised by the lack of redemption in the
film. It was not as though I were looking for a ‘happy ending,’ but I was
looking for something to hold on to, some sort of redeeming quality before the
credits began.
I was disappointed with this without even knowing
beforehand how much I rely on redemption not just in life, but in the world of
media and Hollywood. In real life, I fight for redemption or at least the hope
of it, especially in such dire situations that are a part of my daily life here
in Manila.
My primary ministry is to cook for and to feed
children and widows twice a day, Monday through Saturday, with secondary ministries
into a local prison, an orphanage that is across the street, and additional
business-planning for a ministry that works with street boys. In all of these
venues, I find myself seeking redemption of the children and people I serve and
work with.
I also wish for and seek redemption for the children
that play in the streets, who run up to me to dance with, hug, hold, and
high-five. I hope not to be naïve in this-but hopeful-that these children learn
that there is more to life than what they know or do. I also hope to share more
about Christ as I intentionally sit in the dust, playing hand-slapping games,
and talking about our families.
