Almost every day I walk out of Aninuan, a village on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, 15 minutes down the road to a hotel that has wi-fi to work on email, logistics, or whatever that days agenda entails.
I walk in, I sit down, I order a coke to use the free wi-fi, and set about my work.
Every day the same man brings my coke.
Every day the same man takes away the coke.
Every day he brings the bill.
Every day I’ve failed to even ask his name.
I live my life surrounded by the stories and life experiences of those who live in poverty and are trying to find a way out. I left everything for THESE PEOPLE. But 8 months in I have settled into a routine, regardless of how bizarre and unconventional. And as I go about my day, I can get so focused on my agenda and to-do lists that I forget that my ministry is the person right in front of me.
This month I am living with 14 other people in a 3 bedroom house, in the middle of the jungle in the Philippines, in a community full of hard working men and women. A great deal of them are down on the beaches just a 30 minute walk away, working 7 days a week for 12 hours a day.
You’ve probably seen these people if you’ve been to a touristy beach in another country. Selling necklaces, sunglasses, beads, and what not.
Maybe you’re like me and all you say is a firm, “No, thank you.” and within a moment are back to enjoying your nice spot on the beach while they continue to go from person to person offering their goods.
These are the people I used to ignore. To be honest, I didn’t treat them much like people. More like an inconvenience to my respite.
But this month, I’m getting my eyes opened.
These are the people I go to church with.
These are the people whose children greet me every day on my walk home.
These are people who love their families and are working to provide for them.
These are people who my God cherishes.
Many of these are family, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I’ve felt a great deal of conviction this past week as I’ve gotten to know the people who live in the places many of us vacation. The people in industries that the “American Dream” would fail to appreciate. But I am more overwhelmed day by day of the love, life, and joy that lie within these people.
I can only imagine how many people I have overlooked because of the position or job that they have.
I failed to see them through the eyes of my father and in doing so, failed to see them at all.
Photo by: Sarah Gaddy
So today I took a moment from my schedule and asked some questions to the man that brings my coke every day.
His name is Noel.
He’s from this island, but a different area than where he lives now.
He is 19 (although he looks 24)
He’s worked here 3 years and really likes his job.
He lights up when you ask him a question other than “Another coke, please?”
So join me in taking that extra moment to remove the lens of schedules and to-do’s and really look at someone for the PERSON that they are.
