Philippine Trip – Episode 5

As I mentioned in episode 4, on Tuesday afternoon, after the tide had gone out we walked through the poor area of Tondo relating and talking to children, teenagers and adults. Some were recycling plastic bottles, cardboard, glass, metal, trying to make a couple of dollars. Others were selling vegetables, fruit and rice. They often do not have enough money to bury their dead. As a result the family will set up a gambling table on the street hoping to raise enough money to bury their loved one. Next to the gambling table is placed the casket with the dead person in it bearing witness that they need immediate help.

We met prostitutes and even an abortionist. It was impossible to look upon them with a judgmental and condemning spirit. They were just attempting to survive. My heart was profoundly moved. I visualized Jesus walking through this village. His heart is moved with compassion. I can only imagine that His unconditional love for these broken, disfranchise people caused them to become followers of Him just as Mary Magdalene, who perhaps was a prostitute, experienced Jesus’ kindness and total acceptance.

We handed out candy and granola bars to the children. Were they ever excited and thankful. The next day over 100 bags of groceries were given out to families. One bag was given to a prostitute by the name of Grace. Norman and Tina befriended her. She began to attend the Bible Study which is held daily under the bridge. The Holy Spirit was mightily at work. She was in tears the second day she attended. She shared that she was overwhelmed with Jesus’ love for her. I’m sure the bag of groceries she received without any strings attached impacted her life.

Lola Maming was given a bag of groceries. She also showed up at the Bible Study. She makes her living by buying mango's and then selling them for a little more. She brought a kilo of mango's to the Bible Study to give to Norman and Tina. They hesitated to take them knowing it was a great sacrifice on her part. But knowing her heart and desire to give a little in return, they took them. She cried and hugged them and gratefully expressed her appreciation for the groceries.

Norman and Tina visited Lola Maming before they left the area. Grace, the prostitute, was visiting her at the time. They learned that Lola Maming was Grace’s aunt. Was this connection by chance or was it orchestrated by God to perhaps bring a whole family to embrace the good news. Lola Maming is now attending the church in Tondo that Ramil pastors.

A sack of groceries was given to a lady abortionist. Up until then she had been very aloof and somewhat antagonistic toward Christians and the church. But she began to warm up. In fact, she gave some flower pots to the church. A little love and recognition goes a long way. We were probably the only Jesus many of them had ever seen. The scriptures says, ”the only thing that matters is faith that expresses itself in love.”

To be continued…