“I would gladly live out of a backpack if it meant I could save just one life”
This quote is something that struck my heart as I was preparing for this 11-month journey around the world. Today, it became REAL to me in a way I never expected.
Last week we went to feed some of the hungry kids in Smokey Mountain. It’s this looming mass of decomposed rubbish, standing more than 20 meters high; a place where tens of thousands of people once scavenged for their livelihood. It is now home to so many of the world’s poor who live below the poverty line; nearly half the population of Manila (11 million people) lives in slum areas. Everyday they scavenge through the remains of 50 years of Manila’s trash to earn a meager living. It was one of the most devastating things I have ever laid my eyes on.
Due to the smoke from the coalmines, the life expectancy for the children who inhabit this slum is only 20 years old, if they are lucky. Most of the children there have serious medical conditions and their families do not have the money to pay for a doctor. Basically, they have little hope of making it to adulthood.
The ministry we were working with goes there and feeds the kids once a week. All these kids run from all over to get in line for some food. Honestly, it would completely break your heart if you could see it. They are filthy, covered in dirt and soot, and their eyes are filled with despair. I began to help serve food to them. They bring any containers they can find to fill with food – from to go cups to plastic bags. They are starving.
I found this adorable little one with no pants on crying next to the line. I began to talk to him and see why he was crying. He didn’t have a container to put any food in. So, I picked him up and began to search for something he could use. His name was Rein and he was just under 3 years old. Finally, after some hunting, I found a plastic bag and filled it up for him. When I put him down to help him eat it, I noticed that his testicles were inflamed. They were swollen the size of a grapefruit. I am not a nurse, but I knew right away something wasn’t right. I pulled the pastor aside and asked him if he knew what was wrong. We took Rein to his house, which is a tiny little hut where four other families live with them. After talking with his parents, we found out that he had a hernia and his family doesn’t have the money to get him the medical care he needs.
My heart was really broken at this point. Tears were flowing from his dirty little face and they were welling up in my eyes. There has to be something we can do, I asked pastor. He said he would look into it. However, with all the feedings and ministry they do, they do not have the money to fund his medical bills.
About a week went by and I couldn’t shake this little boy. My heart was so broken and I was praying about it and God spoke to me “LET YOUR HEART BE BROKEN TO ACTION”. It kinda hurt, but I knew He was calling me to do more than cry tears for this boy and post a picture; He was calling me to save his life. So, I called the pastor and let him know I would be coming down to take Rein to the doctor to get checked out and scheduled for surgery. Medical is much cheaper in the Philippines as compared to the States and I was determined to find a way to cover his cost and get him help, even if it all came from my own pocket.
The next day, I took the train up to Smokey Mountain and met Pastor there. I was able to meet Rein’s family, his older sister who is 4 and he will be 3 on July 15th. His father is a scavenger and makes less than $2.50 a day. Their family is starving and has nothing. She wanted to clean him up before we went to the doctor, but she didn’t even have shampoo – they literally have nothing and it was completely heart breaking. His mother was so moved that someone would want to help her son, she was full of tears and so was I. I was able to share with her that Jesus is the reason my heart was moved towards her son and He is the reason it is possible for me to be able to help him.
After getting him checked out and seeing a specialist, he is going to get scheduled for surgery. You see his hernia keeps getting bigger and if it bursts it will kill Rein. So time is of the essence. I told the family that I would sponsor him and cover all his medical costs. I know God led me to this little boy. The Pastor, who visits there weekly for the past 2 years, has NEVER seen Rein before. He didn’t even know his family. The Holy Spirit led me to that boy for a reason. And the reason is not just to feel bad, cry and post a sad picture. He led me to him so I could ACT. But I cannot do it alone! Jesus is giving us an opportunity to meet the physical needs of this young child. In doing so, I know his spiritual needs will be met too and this family will come to know Jesus as their Savior. I am BEYOND honored to invite you to join me in allowing God to change this life.
It is time we stop seeing needs and feeling sad. It is time we start MEETING needs and being Jesus with skin on.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: If your heart has been moved at all through this blog and you want to help cover Rein’s medical cost, you can! My amazing Pastors have come alongside me in this and helped make it possible for anyone and everyone to get involved. No matter how little the gift, nothing is too small. Simply $10 can feed this family for about a week. Below is a link that will take you to a secure online giving site where you can donate towards Rein’s surgery. You can click the drop down and select “Save A Life – Medical Mission” and all the proceeds will go directly to Rein. We are in need of raising $500 to cover the surgery and recovery costs.
https://livereallife.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift
*All gifts are tax deductible.
*Any extra funds raised will go to helping Rein’s family eat and have their basic needs met.
If you would like to help support Rein’s family monthly, please contact me at: [email protected].
I want to say thank you to ALL my supporters who have given to me, prayed for me, encouraged me, sent me letters and helped make this entire trip possible. If not for you, I wouldn’t be able to be out here. I am forever grateful that you have believed in me and helped me bring the Kingdom of God to earth. We are a team, and I know that EACH of you will have rewards in heaven for every life that has been touched. I couldn’t have done it alone. YOU made this possible. To HIM be all the glory – He is the One who changed my life and put His heart inside me. He is the one who brought all of you alongside me. Thank you for taking this journey with me.
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