April 5, 2006

• I got back safely from the Philippines a few nights ago.  The trip was definitely not your average vacation, but it was good.

  
  

  My second night at the Philippines I joined some friends’ church members in going into the slums of Manila.  We went through a narrow maze of tiny houses carrying sound equipment and a guitar.  We set up at a small open area and had praise time and then each of us (including me) shared short messages.  One of the church members translated for me.  This evangelism had not been in my plans, but God guided me through it and it was truly a blessed time.  Everyone there was surprised to see a white face in their poor neighborhood.  The kids laughed and crowded around me.  Even some of the old people thanked me for coming afterwards.  Here are some pics of the kids there…

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  The next day I visited a Christian orphanage outside Manila.  There are 40 children there, mostly babies and toddlers.  There were also two special needs girls that are a bit older.  Unlike in most Korean orphanages, the children are all adoptable because their relatives signed off from being their guardians.  This place was full of God’s love, I was blessed by my time there.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  (twin girls to the left)

  
  

  

  
  

  My new friend Dhen and one of the children.  Dhen took great care of me while I was in Manila.  He is a great man of God and encouraged me a lot.

  
  

  

  
  

  Dhen’s pastor Joel and Joel’s wife sister Carol.  Pastor Joel dropped out of school after 5th grade and worked in the markets.  He found God later and gave his life to Him.  Despite his lack of schooling, he is a mighty man of God.  He reminds me of the first disciples and the first martyr Stephen, who all caused the “educated” to wonder where the poor fishermen and other young men got their amazing wisdom.  Praise God for the Holy Spirit! 

  
  

  

  
  

  Their church is about 30 people who have all given their lives for the Lord’s work.  It is basically a church of missionaries.  Everyday (except one rest day) they go out and do different evangelism in the Philippines.  They don’t have much, but somehow God provides all their needs.  They have a lot of amazing stories and really demonstrated God’s love to me.  Here are pictures of the praise team… I joined them for their worship practice (in both English and Tagalong).  The electric guitarist’s right hand has fingers that are short with the middle two stuck together from birth defects, but despite the handicap he can play the guitar wonderfully.  God is good!

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  A picture of their church (3rd floor) and pastor’s house.

  
  

  

  
  

  All in all it was a good trip.  I didn’t do much touring aside from seeing some of Manila, but I did stay by myself at a hotel my last full day and got refreshed from a day of prayer, reading, and watching some NBA on TV.  I needed that time.  Praise God for safety and provision, and I got my one-year Korean visa too!  I’m glad to be back in Korea, its only been three months but this orphanage already feels like home for me. 

  
  

  Chris Tomlin – Kindness (one of Dhen’s favorites)

  • 1:28 am
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