*Wifi has been spotty here at our ministry site for the past few days, so uploading photos to the blog will take some time. I will upload the photos as I can. In the meantime, read and come back in a few days to see the photos! You can also follow me on Instagram.com/sharonruns for some photos. Every now and again I also post to the Instagram stories.
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Early Saturday morning on October 20th, we left our home for the month and drove to the train station. At the train station, we took the train to Recto and then another train. Then we took 2 different jeepneys to a place called Tonda.
(Jeepney (left) vehicle are similar to taxis in NYC except the are big and open at the back you hop on and off and pay the driver when you get out. It gets pretty crowded and can sometimes squeeze 15+ people. For us, we fit about 12-13 comfortably.)
We were invited to do a feeding at a place called Happyland aka Trash city. The name is misleading. It’s called Happyland because of the many happy children. But, it’s more known by the trash. The people there make a living by sorting through trash. There is also no sanitation or sewer system. It’s just all garbage, discarded matter, waste, litter, junk, debris, whatever you want to call it.
As soon as we got out of the jeepney, I could smell the trash. The closer we got, the more the air had a curious stench. Then our guide told us we are in a location that we should not take out our cameras or any valuables because they will be snatched. Next, we entered a dirt road leading to a small church surrounded by “homes” surrounded by trash.
The further along the muddy road, the more I had a hard time keeping down my desire to puke. I tried to breathe through my mouth only and not my nose, but that didn’t help either. It was at this moment when I couldn’t breathe and was starting to panic while at the same time wanting to keep a pleasant look on my face for the locals that I prayed that Jesus would help me breathe and see the people as He sees them.
This is the song that came to mind: Give Me Your Eyes. Click to hear it!
Part of the lyrics of the song says: “Give me your eyes so I can see, Everything that I keep missing, Give me your love for humanity. Give me your arms for the broken-hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so I can see.”
I prayed this and I was soon able to breathe a little. Next, we were told to walk around and gather children for the feeding. We began heading in groups of 2-3 yelling “Feeding” and giving high fives to the kids. I was starting to feel a little normal again. As the line was forming, our host asked which one of us world racers wanted to tell a Bible story for the kids before he blessed the food. After a few moments, myself and Krista volunteered. He wanted us to tell a story that they had not already heard, so after asking about David and Goliath, and other familiar stories, we decided to tell Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys thrown in to the fiery furnace.
We told the story with our guide translating every few sentences. As I was telling my part of the story, all I could think was that just a few minutes earlier I couldn’t stand the smell and wanted to run away. Now, all I could see were the children who Jesus loves just like He loves you and me. No more, no less. His love is big enough for the whole world.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Just like the temperature of the fire never changed in the story of the fiery furnace and the 3 Hebrew boys, the smell never changed for me, but I was still able to experience Jesus in that moment. After telling the story, our guide blessed the food, and my teammates gave out the food while I talked with the children in line. They are like kids anywhere. Full of life, energy, and curiosity. A few asked to touch my hair and asked if it was real. Yes, my hair is naturally kinky/curly/coily and is oh so real.
After that feeding, we walked to another church, our guide’s church. It was awesome to sit and visit there with his mother who is the current pastor.
Next, we walked up to Smokey Mountain.
It’s a “mountain” where they make charcoal to sell. It is also a very poor area, but once again, the children are so happy and extra happy to see us bring food. I was a part of the group again to walk around gathering children to the feeding. When we got to where the feeding would take place, a mother handed me her baby and then proceeded to take her toddler to the hand-washing and then the feeding.
After a few minutes of holding the baby, I went to give her back to the mother, but she wouldn’t take him. This happened 3-4 times over the course of about 45 minutes while everyone else was with the older children. She would not take back her baby, and she kept saying she wasn’t producing enough milk for the baby. This broke my heart. I didn’t even notice when the baby peed a little on my shirt. All I could think of was this baby and the situation the mom is in. As I was holding the baby, I prayed for him and his family. I prayed for provision and most of all for them to know Jesus.
Finally, as the kids were dismissed, and our group got ready to leave, I put the baby back in the mother’s arms and said I’d be praying for her.
Photo of kids gathering in room for the feeding
I will probably never see this woman or baby ever again, but I do know God answers prayers. I believe He will answer and do much more than I can think or imagine or plan.
To sum up this very long blog post, all I can say is I wish my photos and words could truly portray what I experienced last weekend, but I know it doesn’t. Just know, God is working in the hearts of myself and my team and He is moving here in the Philippines. There’s a lot of darkness, but there is also lots of light. I am thankful that I was called here to spread seeds of hope, love, and be a small light in this dark world. The Philippines is a beautiful country. On our Adventure days once per week, we have hiked a volcano and also gone to the beach and a waterfall. The country and people are beautiful, even with these less fortunate areas we visit. It will be hard to leave the Philippines when the time comes!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the World Race so far! I appreciate you!
In just 1 month, I need to be at $13,000 in order to continue past Month 2/ Thailand.
Please consider donating via the Donate link above if you haven’t already.
Please also share this blog with your friends and family and strangers, everyone you meet! You never know who might be inspired or given new hope, just by you sharing.
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
