This is from the Philippines:
We were riding on a Jeepney, a public transportation car, on our way to a shopping center on our day off. There were about 20 other people ridding with us in the Jeepney. and Ryan, our host, had his son Gabriel aka Gab Gab on his lap. He was hugging him, kissing him, and never let Gab Gab out of his sight. You could tell how much Ryan loved Gab Gab. Through all of this, God kept reminding me of His love for me. “Can you see how much Ryan loves his son Gabriel? I love you much more than that. “ That is what the Lord kept telling me. Through various circumstances this month in the Philippines, the Lord kept reminding me of His love for me and for you…
Ryan and Gab Gab
We did a lot of manual labor in the place where we were at, but on weekends we had camps for boys that had been abandonded. They did not have parents, a home, a bedroom, nothing. They lived on the streets of Manila; they were orphans.
A group of 10-15 street boys would come to our camp during lunch time. They would get a shower, brush their teeth, get a clean set of clothes and eat some lunch. After that we played games with them, then in the evening they were able to eat dinner and watch a movie. Before bed we had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows. Some of these kids had never had a marshmallow in their lives. It was so great seeing them laugh and try to stuff 10 marshmallows in theirs mouths.
This is what I wrote in my journal during one of the bonfire nights.:
“Wow… tonight we had a bonfire and the camp staff started praying in a circle with the kids surrounding the campfire. As I heard them from far away praying, I started walking that way. I heard the last few minutes of the prayer in Tagalog language; all I could feel is the presence of God so strong! The kids (11 of them) all boys, were on their knees crying with their hands up worshipping Jesus and praying so hard with their eyes closed. Tears started coming out of my eyes, just standing there in God’s presence seeing these street kids that have been abandoned, mistreated, unloved, that have no home and no family… here, bowed down worshipping Jesus. It was one of the best moments of the race, that I can remember. My heart broke for them, and I knew that their heavenly father loved them so so much and cared for them with all His heart. These kids have been through so much and have no possessions; yet, their heart has been touched by Jesus. They had an encounter with Him that will change their lives. “
The boys in the Philippines from one of our camps.
The father’s love was all around them and they opened their hearts to receive it. Sometimes for others is hard to receive, but for these kids, it’s not. They just want someone to love them and their real identity is being showed to them little by little in this camp.
God has showing me more of His love for us this month.
One second in Jesus’ presence can change everything.
Go talk to Him, because He cares and loves you so much.
