Sunday, March 04, 2007

29/6 Baliuag
Dear Lord,
We are now staying at the fringe of the slums with Mark and Val, a missionary couple from New Zealands. Think most of us are still in shock. The children here have been so affectionate and warm to us, showering us with hugs and kisses. Do they not receive love at home? Val says most come from broken families and their fathers are the hardest to reach out to. I cannot believe how our presence and paltry gifts of chocolate can bring them such immense joy.
Now that we have the opportunity to spend more time with these children, I feel so frustrated! Besides asking about their names and age, I cannot communicate with them at all. The 6 hour Tagalog crash course gave me a taste of how tough it must be for Seng Eng and his family. I am filled with admiration when I hear them and Mark and Val speak like the locals. It is so important to integrate well, understand the Filipinos and thus be able to meet their needs.
Mark and Val have really been an inspiration to me. Their love for the children and for you warms my heart. For a while, I was so confused over the issue of whether the children come to church because of food and other privileges or because they are genuinely interested in knowing you. In John 6:26-27 Jesus said to the crowd, “…you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you…”. Although it’s ultimately the bread of life that we want to offer to others, the ‘physical food’ was what made them look for Jesus in the first place. In the Philippines, the needs of the people are often very clear. I guess it’s after we meet people’s physical needs that they let us meet their ‘spiritual needs’. And what if after meeting their physical needs, they still don’t respond to the message of God? Have I been wasting my time? One other thing I learnt especially from the lives of the ministry workers, is that in meeting needs we should be ‘driven’ by love - love for God and love for people – and not by expectation of results. Our responsibility is simply to proclaim Christ, whether they receive Him or not is the work of the Holy Spirit.


30/6 Baliuag
Dear Lord,
Today we went to distribute packets of clothes to the sponsored children’s homes. I really wished we had the ability to bring more than the 200 kg of clothes we brought. The sponsored child’s face lit up at the thought of having ‘new’ clothes, while his friends looked wistfully. Although Baliuag is not a big town, I was surprised to know that there are only 20 sponsors for this slum area! There is clearly a LACK OF SPONSORS! It only takes $15 to support a child for a month, yet most people I know would rather spend that money on an expensive meal or a new shirt. Father, grant me wisdom as I consider sponsoring children as well. Now that I’ve seen all these, it is impossible to feign ignorance and think that someone else can do the sponsoring.
Some of the sponsored families told us that when the flood comes around August, those who live in the lower plains would temporarily abandon their houses and just wait for the water to subside somewhere on higher ground. Just wait! It could take days but since there is nothing they can do, these families would just wait, watching helplessly as their homes are being destroyed. Father, August is coming soon, please let the coming floods be manageable and of a short duration!

1/7 Leaving Baliuag, heading for Seng Eng’s home.
Dear Lord,
I didn’t know what to say when the children tearfully asked when we were coming back. I couldn’t bear to say maybe never and didn’t dare say we will be back. In these short few days, the children have really touched me and I know I will never forget the experience of teaching them simple Christian songs with actions, singing Karaoke with them during Rose’s birthday and simply holding their hands as we walked down the lane. Parting was the most painful… they followed us all the way out and kept crying.
Soon, the 2 adopted Filipino children of Mark and Val will arrive and they are anticipating a radical change. Adapting to taking care of 2 young children that they’ll be calling their own will be difficult, and especially since Val is still experiencing double vision. Father, please heal her and grant them wisdom and strength in parenting.

2/7 Manila International airport, heading Singapore.
Dear Lord,
I have seen, learnt and experienced much in these short 11 days. I have seen you in a larger context, you are real not just in my church in Singapore. Help me as I tell the youths and other church members understand the real and urgent needs of the people and I pray that each one of us would have a missionary heart, just like Christ. May it be a lasting burden to help the poor and not just a passing enthusiasm. And may the people around me also come to a deeper understanding of your heartbeat for the lost. I thank you Lord for this meaningful opportunity and pray that others would also have the desire and chance to see the work that you are doing in another country.

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whisperingwood out
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