Our hearts were so encouraged this weekend when around 100 Filipino volunteers from Victory Christian Fellowship came to do a fun day with 350 of our children and young people. They organised workshops in dance, crafts, music and storytelling as well as helping with feeding and medical.
What encouraged us so much was that in 3 and a half years this was the very first group of Filipino Christians to offer practical help. We were blessed as we watched that they were willing to get down in the dirt and grime alongside the team to show love and care for their fellow Pinoys.
We are very thankful to have many wonderful volunteers come on short term mission from various country's around the world. I need to mention too that over the years we have had a few Filipino volunteers who faithfully gave of their time to help, but almost all of them were *OFWs or were born abroad. That's why Saturday was such a significant day. The 100 volunteers are all living in the Philippines! I believe it brought hope and broke a stronghold. You see many of the families living in the waste picking community feel as though they have been forgotten about by their own country. It's not that they want a hand out. They don't think it's other Filipinos responsibility to look after them. The majority are very hard working and want more than anything to support themselves. That's why they work all hours of the day to earn about P100 (68p) just to feed their family. They are however aware of the stigma that is attached with Tondo and sense they are looked on at times as the outcasts of the city. But on Saturday these people saw the love of Jesus reflected in the dark eyes of their own people.
I appreciate my husbands heart more than ever. Since we came in 2007 he has been willing to labour with this community. He served them when no one else would. I hope this comes across right and doesn't sound proud. I know 100% that its only by the grace of God that we have been called to that place. What I mean is, he has stayed through the most challanging times with these people when others gave up. He stayed and lead when it would have been totally understandable to leave.He stayed because of Christ. He stayed because he had compassion on his own people.
We have made many mistakes along the way and are still learning. But the Lord has been so lovely guiding us one day at a time. It's not about us or about anyone else who works there, but it's about Gods purpose prevailing in that place. He loves the people with an uquenchable fiery love. He loves justice.We know this because we see the way He has continued to do miracles of provision so the ministry could continue there.
Its hard, It's humbling. but it's an honour.
I pray for a heart that would be willing to labour in love in that place until God directs our paths to something else. I'm excited that possibly for the first time other Filipinos looked past the filth and the trash and saw the beauty in Tondo. Only Jesus could take trash and turn it into treasure. He makes beautiful things out of dust- beauty out of ashes.
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,
that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord
that He may be glorified.
And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolation's and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolation's of many generations" Isaiah 61:3,4*Overseas Filipino Workers
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