So, our last week in The Philippines we took part in a really awesome but hard ministry (I will explain the “hard” in a moment.) We held a camp for the young street boys of Manila. The boys were 7-18 years old and all lived on the street in the city. Some of them had been to camp before while others it was their first time. I honestly didn’t know what to expect the night the boys came. But they were so sweet, and I felt like their sweetness was a testament to them finally given an opportunity to simply just be boys instead of portraying men in the streets of Manila.
This week with the street boys was such a gift to them, and to us. Our role was simply to love on these boys. We took part in a bible study with them. We also watched movies with them, and during the day played games and took part in fun activities with them like water fights! It brought joy to my heart to watch these boys be boys. To play, laugh, and rest.
The night before they left us, we had a bonfire and we shared words of encouragement with them. One of the most powerful things said was said by one of the oldest boys who had been to the camp around 5 times. He said that he appreciated that we didn’t judge them, but we just loved them. We listened to their stories of leaving home, or being abandoned. We heard them share how they get high off of solvent in order to escape the emotional pains of their reality.
They were impacted by the fact that we didn’t gasp when they told us this, or look at them differently, but we listened and we loved them right where they are.
My heart imploded when this was said around the fire…it reminded me how our Lord loves us. He loves us, right where we are. We aren’t required to change in order to come to Him, but we can simply come. With all our stuff, with all of our mess, we can come sit at His feet, and there isn’t shame. We can just be with Him, and the radiance of His glory slowly but surely changes us.
Without even realizing it, that is what we offered these boys. The ability to be seen, to be loved, and to simply be.
The hardest part of our time with the street boys was the moment we had to leave them in the streets. From camp they were dropped off to their neighborhood.
On our last day in the Philippines we went to their neighborhood to see them. They were so overjoyed that we came to see them! But after our visit we had to leave. Not just leave, but leave them…in the streets. 7 year olds on their own in the street. The Mommy heart in me broke in this moment and tears started to flow as we got back in the car. This was too hard. Leaving babes to fend for themselves. But it was part of the ministry. You love on them, show them Jesus, pour into them, and then return them to their lives, hopefully more equip to choose the narrow road. That is my wish for these dear ones…
Father God, please be with these young boys right now.
Let them see you, let them feel you, let them know you, oh God. Father, let them simply be in Your presence…to hear your direction, and to know your love and protection. Guide them to the places you have for them. In Jesus Name. Amen.
