One project this month was to help my friends Tess, Emily, Jake, and Noah plan a 2 day youth rally to reach the youth of the area.
Honestly, I didn’t feel passionate about rally at first. Slowly, as more was put into it God gave me a excitement for whatever he was going to do. He made it clear that since the planning was done so quickly, the success of it was going to be clearly because of the work of the Holy Spirit, we had nothing to give other than our willingness to listen to His Spirit.
The night came for the rally and the crowd sitting in the chairs was decent. The ages were a little younger than we had hoped for but the kids sitting in the seats weren’t the ones that I was watching. God only gave me eyes for the people sitting in the back, hanging out in the alleyways, standing behind the “stage”, and those walking by. Those people were the ones that I wanted to hear the gospel because they were distant yet still somewhat interested.
First night was awesome… the “Everything” skit (the video of it is at the bottom of the page), testimonies by 2 incredible friends, Christin and Jake.
The 2nd night was different but it was my favorite night. I did a skit with Noah and Jason which it was funny but also had a good message to it. The skit helped draw a crowd and then my friend Liz shared her testimony.
I knew that God was wanting me to share something that night but I didn’t know what. This night God continued to give me eyes only for the people outside of the chairs, those lurking around. I passionately prayed throughout the day and during the rally for those within eyesight and earshot of what was happening.
Therefore the message God wanted me to share was for those people. He inspired me to talk about dry bones about 20 mins before sharing. I got up to share with no preparation and expected the Holy Spirit to show up.
I don’t really remember what I said but at the beginning I called out to the people across the river, on the bridge, down the street, sitting in the homes surrounding the area, and anyone who could hear. I was able to share with them that God wants them and I shared about the prophesy of dry bones coming to life.
At one point as I was talking, I saw a small group of people gathered on the bridge and listening.
The song Courageous by Casting Crowns came to my mind as I was about to share. I realized later that song wasn’t meant for me in the moment but it’s God’s cry for Tondo and now mine. Sitting in one of the church services I noticed there were only 3 or so men and about 30 or 40 women. Many men live in the area but they don’t love Jesus. Men have failed the women and children of Tondo.
Where are you, men of courage? You were made for so much more than bumming around, getting drunk, sleeping with prostitutes, and using drugs.
Men of God arise out of Tondo!
At the beginning of the month, I feared the men there. I heard it was a dangerous place so I avoided them. As time went on God replaced my fear with a compassion for them. I occasionally had opportunities to talk to groups of them but for the most part I made an effort to speak to them as I passed by. Several of them learned my name and would say hey as we crossed paths. I’m confident that the opportunity God gave me to speak at the youth rally reached some of the men. They at least heard what God had to say through me and my prayer is that God would work miracles in them.
My prayer is to hear an update from Tondo of the church being filled with men who can fight and lead the charge to change the community that is known for drug lords and prostitution into a place of God-fearing people full of joy.
Cheers to dry bones being made alive, powerful skits, and seeing the Holy Spirit work,
Jen
