Arise generation no longer forsaken..

It can be heart breaking to watch young people we work with make really awful choices at times. Poverty can push the mind to the edge and cause a person to do desperate things.
It can be discouraging sometimes when you pour your time into a young man or woman and then watch as they make a decision that will change their life forever.

I heard a quote at a worship conference a few weeks ago that I haven't been able to get out of my mind;

"It's our job to do the hard work. It's God's job to do the HEART WORK"

So true.

Only God can change a heart. Only He can change a life. I've seen Him do it time and time again. Even if we had the best youth workers, the best ministry or program, the best of everything- Only God can change a heart. Only He can  penetrate the inner most thoughts and emotions.Only He turn a terrible situation into something good.

Only He can turn disaster to destiny.

Our job? To be faithful in doing the hard work. To keep praying,being there and loving the ones that have messed up. I thank God for true friends that stuck by me and prayed me through during times when I fell. I hope I would be that person for others. I pray for a mouth that speaks life over the most hopeless of situations. For eyes that would see potential in people. To see past the mess and envisage the majesty of Christ that could be displayed through them. For  determination  to stand strong in the battle against the enemy who comes about like a roaring lion trying to steal, kill and destroy lives. My Jesus came so that they could have life and have it more abundantly!

"Arise generation, no longer forsaken- arise- arise- arise"  (from a song by Jon Owens)
I sings it as a declaration over youth at both sides of the world tonight!

You know you live in the Philippines when... (bit of a random blog)

Since our baby boy is due day I am in the house more this week I have found time to write a bit of a random blog!


You know you're in the Philippines when;

• you see a sign above the sink in a public toilet saying "please do not wash your dishes here!"

• you go into a public toilet and no one flushes their used paper, but instead it's gathered in a pile at the side bin
• you see signs in public toilets saying "kindly please do not stand on the seat"
• you can't get a space to wash your hands because there is a row of pretty Filipina girls all brushing their teeth

• if you have the mumps you are advised to put blue food colouring on your face
• if you have a "sugat" (a cut/wound)and told  its not good to eat chicken, fish or beef but pork is ok
• advised that certain positions in child birth are "just for foreigners"
• you are told that some babies come out born " inside the plastic bag" (amniotic sack!)
•  the doctor sets her phone on vibrate to "tickle the baby" and then charges you a very expensive medical fee!

•  yes could sometimes mean... yes, no or maybe
• beginning an activity or meeting some one at 1pm could mean 1.30pm, 2pm or 3pm!
• road markings, sign posts or any kind of law are "just a suggestion"
•  you see signs such as "lady bed spacer wanted" or "roadworks in full swing"
• when you go into a store and you are warmly welcomed with a smile
•  you go into a store to look for a simple moisturiser and all you can find are whitening creams
• you can buy everything in miniature size- everything from toothpaste to soya sauce

 You know you've lived in the Philippines for some time when;

• you point with your lips and answer with your eyebrows
• mix up the letters P and F  and V and B
•  you don't hear something properly and your first expression is "ha?!"
• you don't feel you ate a proper meal unless it included rice
• when there's ants or other wee bugs in your cereal or jams and you eat it anyway
• eating out you draw a rectangle in the air and raise your eyebrows to indicate you are ready for the bill
• you change your accent depending on who you are talking to
• you always leave your shoes at the door before entering someones home (or your own)
• you think its normal to hear Christmas songs playing in the mall in September- think its normal to eat spaghetti with hot dogs at birthdays, christmas or any other celebration- when you think its normal to sing karaoke at anytime!
• when you sometimes think in Tagalog, feel like you blend in and wonder why people point and say "look, she is white"!

Just have to say I love the people in this country. I love the quirks in the culture (most of the time!) It's home :)

A baby left in the trash

A new born baby was found dead in a heap of trash in the community where our ministry base is in Tondo. The tiny body discarded and thrown in the middle of a pile of garbage only a few buildings away from ours. Some of the women in the community  told us today no one knows the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, or at least no one is telling....

Could he have been stillborn and the family unable to afford a place of burial?

-That's common. Some of the children have shared with tear stained faces how their parents had no money to pay for a place for their younger siblings to be laid and so they made a humble coffin from food cartons.

Maybe it was a teenager who was terrified of her family knowing she was pregnant?

-For every young girl that gives birth there are more who abort their babies. The women speak quite openly of "home remedies" they concoct that are intended to kill the baby growing inside of them.

Could not afford to feed another child?

-There have been many abandoned babies and even older children left around the dump site area. Some women have been caught trying to sell their babies or give them away. Some of them feel a love for their baby and would choose to keep them. But  like several mothers we know who already have between 9-16 children and in spite of their efforts struggle to provide, the thought of another mouth to feed drives them to the brink.

Whatever the reason was it's just devastating. Is life so cheap that a precious gift of God could simply be valued as the same worth as rotten decaying trash? My heart cries out for justice and mercy. Lord.. heal this land. You are the only hope.

This situation and others like it show how much has still to be done in the community. The people need Jesus... the restoring, healing, unfailing love and mercy of Jesus. In our minds it's tempting to become overwhelmed and  easily conclude the problems are too big, the need is too much, its pointless and hopeless...

BUT GOD.

It's says in the word  that there is a bowl full of the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8) .  A bowl full and becoming fuller with the prayers of the people of God. Oh that God would pour out that bowl and release the answered prayers for this community and others like it. I am challenged. I should be before God day and night crying out in prayer for the people. Oh to have a heart that would not relent in seeking God for change.

Lord... heal this land.

Now HOPE does not disappoint...

"Now hope does not disappoint..." Romans 5:5

This  jumped out the pages at me this morning. If we could give or do nothing else for poverty stricken communities it would still be so worth bringing them hope. If every ministry/charity suddenly ran out of all finances and could not continue any kind of programs, it would still be worth going to the people and reflecting hope. Hope should be at the core  of everything we do.

Hope changes a heart. It gives life to dead eyes. It energizes a person to live another moment. Hope reveals a way out , gives a purpose and urges us not to give up.

Hope gently whispers... hang on for one more minute.

If a person sees even a glimmer of the true hope that God gives, they will take another breath, take another step and find the strength to go on.

If hope is rooted deep within us, it cannot be stolen  by anything or anyone. People can disappoint. Organisations can disappoint. Circumstances can disappoint. HOPE  does not disappoint-I'm thankful for hope!

Accidently on purpose

Just thinking about how I want to live a life with purpose. I hope when I'm elderly I don't look back and remember the "good old days". I hope by Gods grace I would be living a life with meaning.It's amazing and totally humbling that God would give us a purpose much greater than ourselves. True fulfilment is living in His purpose- in His will. How beautiful that when God places a purpose in our hearts, it becomes our own. He plants His desires in our hearts, making them our desires too.

Sometimes the life we have mapped out for ourselves is so small compared to what the Lord has in store for us. We have our own ideas at times, but when we grasp a God dream everything changes.........Everything.

I can think back to times in my life when I had one plan and God had another and His have always been far superior and more wonderful. Such grace.  When Ron and I came to the Philippines in 2007 we had a plan to stay for a few months  and then go back to live in Scotland. We have quite often used the term "accidental missionary's"to describe ourselves. There was no strategy to start any kind of ministry or any kind of organisation. No thought at all in fact. But God had another plan. He had a purpose. So really we are "accidentally on purpose missionary's".How humbling is that! Who knows how many more years we will be here or what the future holds, but as the old song says "I know who holds the future and I know who holds me hand". I'm so glad I know my saviour holds our future in His unshakable, irremovable, loving hand.

I pray by Gods grace whatever the path holds,whatever he asks us to do or wherever He asks us to go we will obey with purpose. I was thinking if everything changed somehow what an awesome honour it's been to work with the families in the squatter communities. I'm grateful that throughout my life God has guided my steps. I can honestly say I have never worked in a place that just felt like a job.There's always been a sense of purpose. I'm so thankful for that.God has been so good. Everywhere He has opened doors I have loved working. What a lovely daddy I have!  How precious that even in the seasons where its tough  that God  has a purpose in the hardships. He can take a time of brokenness and weave it into something beautiful. His purpose is always for our good.

God has a purpose for you today and everyday of your life.

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

100 Filipinos

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.

"To give them beauty for 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

Loving 'till it hurts

I have been discovering that if you are working full time in communities of extreme poverty you have to be willing to learn one hard lesson. Ready for it?

You have to love 'till it hurts! (Sometimes it really hurts!)

You have to open your heart,  give it away to people at the risk of it getting broken to pieces. You have to be willing to give and give and expect nothing in return from the people you are trying to help.You have to make a decision to love, love more and keep loving. It's easy to "talk sacrifice" or sing something like "I surrender all"  but sometimes honestly it's very hard to do! The truth is sacrifice hurts.It's not meant to be easy otherwise it wouldn't be called sacrifice. 

But this is also truth- the more I discover the pains and burdens of mission work, the more I know the beautiful loving kindness of my Lord.  God is the strength of my heart.

If you are in ministry today and feel the heaviness of loving 'till it hurts- throw your self upon your Abba Daddy. To everything there is a season. Sometimes it's the season of overwhelming joy watching change in broken people, sometimes you will see the fruit of your labour and sometimes you won't and all you feel you get in return are problems,but don't lose heart. HE is so faithful. I love that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

At the end of the day how could I even talk of sacrifice after everything Jesus went through for me? The burdens of ministry are nothing compared to what my Jesus endured. He removed the option to quit. He did not give up. Oh to have a heart that would remain faithful until the very end. To be determined to commit  to the call and say I will not look back. I pray by grace I will keep my eyes on Jesus, run my course and finish my race no matter what the cost. 

".. let us run with endurance  the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul" Heb 12:2-3

Doing and dwelling

Since being pregnant with our son Josiah I've been having  to stay away from the dump site a bit more because of the risk factors involved. It has taken quite a bit of adjusting as Ron continues to be there most days  while I have more time at home.I miss him and I miss the children. Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of work to be done, but the admin side is just not as fulfilling as being on the field and working side by side with my husband.  I know in my heart it's important as well and I'm learning  that the behind the scenes work is of value too.A few years ago I would have really super struggled with having so much downtime and not being hands on everyday.I thrived on always being busy,achieving, always doing.I actually used to feel quite guilty unless I was working. I think it's to do with identity somehow. At times my identity used to be wrapped up in what I could accomplish instead of who I am in Christ.

Now I can honestly say I love having more uninterrupted time to just be with the Lord. I love having more time to spend  dwelling in the secret place with Him. Over the years the Lord has pressed upon my heart more and more the importance of dwelling before doing.

In mission work its so easy to slip into a mindset where we justify constantly doing- always being busy. There are always needs. There are always hurting people to help or hungry children to feed or some other thing that we just have to do. It would be easy to go months without a single day off or time away from ministry.We used to do this and it's not wise- you burn out fast.
 We can try and justify that being busy all the time is okay because after all its all for God right?? But I personally have learned there needs to be balance. God wants us to love Him first and then love and serve others. Anyway, I cant give love away without first being filled up with Gods love and I need a re-filling everyday.

The truth is God wants ME. Continual relationship. Ceaseless intimacy. Constant abiding.He wants me before He wants the things that I  do for Him. Being with God- pursuing His heart is above all- above all the work and busyness- Just dwelling with Him, leaning close to hear His heart is more precious and more vital than any other thing. It's the first thing.  Only then will I be sufficiently equip to serve others.

Jesus is pursuing you. Seeking you. Desiring you. Loving you. Running after you. Singing and dancing over you. Totally passionate about you.
He wants you before He wants what you do.

The secret?

The secret is the secret place.

Working for God is second to being with God.

It's just you and me Lord
I shut the door- I enter in
Here to love and to be loved
In the secret place

"When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place..." Matthew 6:24

http://youtu.be/NI_1YliutzA

Speak Life

Say that again -where did you say you were based? Did you say Tondo??!!

Tondo!! That's where all the murderers live!
Tondo is where all the bad people are!
Tondo is where the gangs hide out
Tondo is the most dangerous place in Manila
Tondo is dirty and people are all poor
There are many criminals there
Tondo people are the outcasts of the nation
If we go there we might get killed

Above are just a few of the things said to us on a regular  basis when people find out we work in Tondo. The comments usually come from Filipinos. People from all walks of life have made really negative comments to us about Tondo from doctors to pedicab drivers. When our car breaks down we always dread getting a taxi to try and take us. They just won't  go there. One morning 6 taxi drivers in a row threw us out and absolutely refused to take us!

 There is a certain fear that comes with hearing the word Tondo. For decades it's been know for all of the above things. I was hopeful that if I entered "Tondo" on the Internet the description would be a bit brighter. Sadly not. Almost all the pictures and info that are presented are depressing.Here is what the encyclopedia has to say about it;

"One of the most densely populated areas of land in the world.Tondo is notorious for being the poorest yet most underdeveloped district of the country. Many of the city's slums are found in this area"

Doesn't exactly paint a pretty picture.

Some of the negative things said  are true. There are murderers and gangs  that hide out there. It  defiantly can be a really dangerous place to be. We have seen and heard horrendous things happen. It's a place with extreme poverty.....

BUT the following are also facts about Tondo....

There are many hard working families in Tondo
There are young people striving with everything in them to graduate from school
There are children and teenagers there who are really talented and creative
There are community leaders who are trying their best to make things better
There are children, youth and adults who love Jesus with all their hearts
There are people who rise above their difficult circumstances to bring true worship
There is youth that have become leaders and amazing role models to the children
There are women who pour out compassion to those in their own community
There is a generation rising up who believe things can be and will be better
Some of the most beautiful people I have ever met live there.

There is HOPE in Tondo

I wonder what would happen if the nation of the Philippines began speaking life over Tondo instead of death? I wonder if part of the reason that Tondo has remained one of the most feared places in the Philippines is because people have declared it to be that way? I wonder what would happen if the nation began speaking out how Tondo could be?

 A long time  ago people made really negative comments about another place. They were so sceptical that anything or anyone good could ever come from such a despised town;

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" John 1:46

How wrong were those people!! Jesus came from such a town and changed the world forever!

So I ask-can anything good come from Tondo?

Without a doubt... YES!

Let's start speaking about the changes that are happening, no matter how small we may think they are. Let Tondo no longer be called outcast but instead a place where the light will shine.
Let's believe that the generation that's rising up will do amazing things in the country and beyond. Let's believe that the sparks of change that have already happened will burst into a blazing fire and that with Gods help greater things are yet to come- greater things are still to be done in this city.

Manila. Philippines. Let's speak life over Tondo!

 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue.." Proverbs 18:21

http://youtu.be/OZem6LFFeYU

A sigh and a song

With this work comes much joy and at times much sorrow. This week we have been working with 3 sisters who have suffered terribly severe abuse. The burden I already carried in my heart for them has just increased and feels like a led weight. I was watching their behaviour this week and wept. I tried to explain to someone that i believe God gives us these tears to carry for the children sometimes.

Jesus feels. He feels their hurts and  allows us to feel too so that we are moved to compassion and compelled to move.

These girls are only 9 ,7 and 3 and have had to endure starvation as their father squanders money on drugs. Their young hearts have been forced to break and re-break as they watch their mother get beaten and told it's their fault -the very child in her womb fighting daily for survival. A younger sibling already died at the cruel hand of neglect.Her sisters watched as she was poisoned,their emotions pressed down as they grieved in silence. These 3 precious girls have been subjected to horrors upon horrors at all levels of abuse. I would not begin to share them here.

I'm so thankful for HOPE. That Jesus can take a broken life and make it something beautiful. He really can. He's the only one who really can.

The girls are under the care of our team 24 hours a day now and living with our staff. 
Pray for them. Pray for us as we help them.
If you are compelled to help in a practical way, we are still in need of sponsors for their food; P100 a day for them -£1.40
If you can help with even part of this it would be a real help at this time.

There are times when all we can do is pray. I was reminded of a song I wrote years ago when I was a student in a school where out of 29 children 22 were being abused in some way. Prayer is precious gift to us - it reaches the heart of the feeling Jesus..

Send them an angel
1
This child is suffering. In his eyes so much hurt
Stories untold and secrets kept deep inside
He looks so lost right now like he has wandered out of reach
But in his heart he's crying out "has everyone given up on teaching me?"

chorus
Send him an angel to guard him in the night
Jesus draw near to him in the morning light
I pray, give him a strength through the day that he does not quite understand
Stay close. Keep him safe in Your hands

2
This child is suffering. She has a beauty that's unseen
To some she's just a no-one and she never will be
But she is precious. She is much deeper than she seems
She asked me this question-"Am I still a princess"
I said yes.

chorus
Send her an angel.....

3.
This child is suffering. Now he carries many scars
To most he's just trouble and he'll never make it far
But under the surface he has so much more to give
He reaches out longing to feel more than pain
His hands are reaching out for just one touch of love again

chorus
Send him an angel....

"Arise cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches;
Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.
Lift up your hands toward Him for the lives of your young children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street" 
(Lamentations 2:19)