Some boys of the Philippines remind me of my little
brothers. Some boys remind me of the 16-year-old lifeguards at Hurricane
Harbor. All of them, however, need a role model, someone to listen to them,
someone to teach them. This is the role we as missionaries play at the
Children’s Garden and the Marikina dump. This is what I have realized and
witnessed thus far:
1) Sometimes we only get a week to pour truth into the
boys, as it was with Ken (15-In blue) and Jaco (16-right). Miki is on the left
(17).
One day when we began morning devotions, I realized that
Miki looked quite sad. After asking a translator for help, we were informed
that Ken and Jaco, two boys from my small group, left Children’s Garden to go back home
(they had only been there 2 weeks). Although I was very sad, as was Miki, I remembered that
just the day before they said how they wanted to be pastors and missionaries
even though they JUST accepted Christ into their lives. That will always be an
inspiration to me.
2) God answers our prayers.
I wasn’t sure how Victoria and I would continue to lead a
small group with only 1 boy, while all the others had 3 or 4. We prayed Miki
would have friends, I prayed Miki would become a role model.
The very next day at CG, we were introduced to a new boy.
His name is Paul Christian. His story is similar to many of the boys: he
suffered from cycles of physical abuse, lived on the street, sniffed solvent,
then was rescued by Pastor Buddy, became Christian and desired badly to come to
CG.
3) We get to watch boys grow into men.
Over the last 3 weeks, I have had the opportunity of
watching Miki grow in heaps. He has gone from a giggly, non-participatory, rebellious boy to one who yearns for truth, volunteers in games, and prays powerful prayers. Recently, he opened up about his home life, and even was
allowed to come to the Marikina dump to join Children’s Garden in ministry with
us. It made my heart SO happy to see him wanting to help out and even happier
to have him and my friend Kenneth in one place at one time. Like a proud
sister, I watched Miki desire to change this poverty, and change himself.
them our undivided attention or hang out with them. This may include but is not
limited to participating in karate, singing songs, sorting out lost pokemon
chips, playing board games or just having fun.
5) No matter where I go (even for a swim with a fellow
racer), the boys still flock to us.
