Update 33
"Me next" is what I hear often each day...and it's nice that my student pool keeps growing including boys who were too shy at first I chuckle to think how one boy asked me to teach him the F sound...a Filipino in Philippines. Several boys have stopped making wild guesses and now say, "Wait" as they try to sound out words...Ahhhh...I've always relished watching kids learn to read!! Rog is in high demand as Mr. Fix It...recent projects: cupbrd doors, hanging corkboard, reinforcing table legs & chair seats, fixing door frame. Often he makes a trip to the hardware store with a boy in tow. Yesterday it was Agathon who when Rog suggested a treat, said, "No--pants--get Daniel (who speaks better English)." With his pants & Daniel & Rog, they headed down a side street & deeper into a barrio. The farther they went, the more narrow the passage way until finally Rog could barely squeeze through...then it opened up to an area where boys were playing pool, women hunched over a mahjong set, kids running about, food cooking & several sewing. Agathon was measured & told to come back at 3. He was delighted with the results as Rog pd the $1.50 fee. Today JP went with Rog to the hardware store...when they got near, he said matter of factly, this is where I was a street boy. He is now studying for his HS exam, is a trusted & helpful big brother to many at CG & most respectful to staff & us. He has succeeded in his battle to break away from the strong chains the streets have on kids...freedom to do whatever they want...no boss....no rules....no chores. He has a future now. Alleluia!! Unfortunately, others have taken his place on the street. We left CG the same time Lydia the cook did and as we waited together together to catch a jeepney to town--she reached into her purse & handed us a letter from her son--the one in the "spitting contest" from earlier update. In meticulous cursive, he wrote:
"It is a blessing that my mother gets to work with such amazing people like you. I am very impressed with how God is using you to expand his kingdom. Like you, I also want to serve God. I am third year college student now and my mother's income can hardly support all my needs. For this reason, I seek help from your good hearts. Should you choose to give, I know God will bless you . By the grace of God, this person writing to you will someday be a dedicated servant of His and will be helping people exactly the same way you have helped him. " Guess you could say we gave a Pay Ahead donation. Lydia actually jumped...physically jumped for joy! Our days are filled with gems!
Update 34
Had a nice chat with a neighborhood shop owner. He'd spent 7 years on a cargo ship away from his family to earn the $$ to set up his shop. The shop fills the first floor & his home is above it. He introduced us to his wife, cousin & son...he is now a proud & happy man...finally. Last night we went in search of french fries...you can guess who's idea that was...we found some awesome ones & juicy burgers too. The owner seemed overly excited to have us there ...could be because we were the only ones in the restaurant...he asked if he could take our picture & us it for his website. This is actually not a rare occurrence here or in many of the places we've traveled...but it always takes us by surprise!
Update 35
CG was bussing with commotion & people when we arrived this a.m...the dentist was coming. The sponsoring group's name translated was "Help with No Return." They brought a mound of cold spaghetti & a sweet jello like dessert filled with corn. They loaded paper plates & our boys & many neighbors & church members chowed down. A portion of the basement was walled off with sheets & by 9 a.m. the first patient, a CG boy was getting a tooth pulled...almost everyone of the following 39 got at least one tooth pulled...one got 4...and never once did I hear a scream or moan or see anyone crying...just a lot of puffy cheeks! Incredible! Guess my high pain tolerance is no biggy around here. I visited with the Filipino dentist as I filed bags of amoxicillin & pain pills. He has volunteered his services often for 10 years now. He said it made his heart joyful...all I could think of was all those teeth in the waste basket. Rog and El (house dad) went to Robertson's Tool Store to spend the money DUMC's Women's Group had sent with us. Like a boy in a candy store, El loaded up on tools. He was thrilled to have what it will take to repair the van, motorcycle & things around the building...and to teach the boys to use them! We needed a break after this day, so we headed to the movies again. This time we saw Jupiter Ascending...basically an updated Star Wars with ships speeding through space barely missing each other & every imaginable object. As we rode home in a tricycle dodging a multitude of obstacles, Rog said, "Those space ships got nothing on us!"
Sent from my iPod Touch
