As they are praying out to God atop of this mountain I don't have to understand the language to hear the passion in their words, looking around I don't just see former street kids, or those who are orphans you have been abandoned, instead I see sons of God, in these young men I see hope. Sometimes in the simple moments of this journey, I find God is teaching me the most. Often times I complicate things far more than they need be, when it comes down to it, this life and this journey is about seeking, and often that search leads to finding the answers in some of the most unlikely places.
For the past few weeks myself and five other men from our squad have been going to the Children's Garden here in Manila, it is a center for teen boys that gives opportunity for them to have technical training and alternative schooling or to be enrolled in some of the local schools, the home provides a consistent and loving environment, and is place where boys can learn what it means to grow to be men of God.
During our time at the Children's Garden, we have played many games with the boys from ping pong to ultimate ninja, heard many of their stories and shared part of ours as well, we have worshiped together lifting up our voices in praise along with a guitar and some buckets used for drums.
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to stay the night at the boys home, and the boys enjoyed watching us struggle through eating the traditional Filipino balut and chickens feet. (For those who don't know balut is fertilized duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell.) One of the coolest moments for me that night was when we were sitting at the table talking to Sharon who is the director of Children's Garden, in the other room all of the boys were singing out the song 'How He Loves' with everything they had, and not because it was the set time to worship or because anyone was leading them into it, but just because that is their heart.
Some Pictures from this month:
Kenneth likes my beard
Hanging with some kids at the Thanksgiving Carnival
The guys from the Children's Garden after we hiked up the mountain
A view of the outskirts of Manila
A view of the city of Manila
