I met John Paul, or J2X, a few months ago in the Philippines. He is one of the first “success stories” from a guy I wrote about during my time there, Richard, and I was able to actually talk with him via Facebook chat tonight. It’s been a little over a month since I’ve last seen him. When I left him, he was doing well and was actually finally starting to talk to me in English. This is just interesting because J2X is one of the leaders in the gang ministries, and it’s rare for them to open up to foreigners. It even took Richard nearly a month to talk directly with me instead of through a translator.
Much like most of the boys out on the streets, J2X is a rapper. However, the biggest difference is this kid is seriously gifted. We were able to work a deal out with a few guys to help him record a few tracks, and since then he has really been able to somewhat support himself, legally, in his mid teens. He is just one of the many boys out there that has been dealt a poor hand and is having to fend for himself. The good news is that he’s allowing men like Richard to come into his life and give him a little guidance.
J2X has really only talked with me once, so I was a little shocked to see his name pop up. I don’t know if he had someone helping him out, but it was a lot of fun to just sit and chat with him for a while. I was able to catch up on the last month or so and hear some of the highs and lows. It seems that despite being treated poorly and facing injustice at its finest, he still has a positive outlook on what’s to come. He raps about how God has transformed him and how he has a story to tell. It’s true change daily.
I asked him how the other boys were doing too and he told me that he wanted to be there to help and encourage them. It seems like this once “lost boy” is becoming a beacon of hope for most of these other kids on the streets. It’s always fun to get the updates from a place my heart goes out to, but it’s even greater when it comes from someone that has been changed in the process. I’m praying for this kid as he lives the life a man and the testimony of a saint…
