Jolly Jimmy

Jimmy was Jessica, Wendy and I’s cab driver.  All 6 of us Ladies of Light were on our way to Friendly’s Guest House (our hostel) from Ron and Joanna’s house in the city.  I can’t even begin to share what I felt when I sat down in that cab.  I was so overwhelmed by the joy that this man had for Jesus and that which Jesus had given him.  It was so encouraging!!!  

Jimmy had asked us “Where we were going,” which is the Filipino catch phrase to “How are you?”  He then proceeded to ask us about why we were in the Philippines and for how long.  The three of us girls had a conversation with Jimmy about missions and immediately he said he was Christian.  (That would make sense why he was beaming.)  🙂  Jimmy spoke quite a bit of English, however some things were really difficult for him to catch or speak out.  However, instead of getting discouraged, he would just laugh it off.   Jimmy proceeded to give us his cell phone number so we could have it if we needed a cab again.

Then…all of a sudden, Jimmy was pulled over.  What?  The three of us were so sad for him in that moment.  The policeman said that Jimmy created an accident which he did not do.  He did not create a scene by any means.  Jimmy came back really discouraged.  In that, we knew we needed to pray.  So we all started to pray over Jimmy for comfort and peace and provision.  What we found out earlier in the trip was that Jimmy has 4 kids, ages 4 months-7 years.  He doesn’t live with them, because he has moved into the city to make money.    After we prayed, again there was a crazy amount of joy.  Jimmy started to say things that I know encouraged us, like “God is bigger than all things” and “God is going to provide the finances for my family and the ticket (50 pesos, which is the equivalent to $1.25)

So, our journey from Ron and Joanna’s to the hostel was supposed to be about 45 mins to 1 hour; it had turned into 2 hours and the other girls were back at the hostel praying desperately.

Jimmy, wherever you are in Manla know that you are blessed!  God is going to give you everything you need and we were so blessed to have you to encourage us.  I saw extreme poverty that I didn’t even see in Peru and I don’t think that it would have been as peaceful had we not had Jimmy as our driver.