CCT

Spent a Saturday at the Center for Community Transformation. They are one of the ministry partners of UCM. About twelve of us went down to an area called Laguna which is about 2 hours south of Manila. I'm no young adult but somehow Pastor Rainier (who leads the young adult ministry and also attends the Thursdays for Others group) extended me an invitation :) By the way he is also leading a short term trip to Cambodia in May which I am thinking/praying about joining. CCT offers different programs in various parts of the Philippines (including the Visayas which is where most of the destruction occurred during typhoon Yolanda). One of them is the Kabigan ("friend") Ministry. The main purpose of this ministry is to reach out to street dwellers and help them assimilate back into mainstream society. Some of the participants are families with children. For those who are willing, there is a boarding school for the children where they are given holistic care - academic and social skills, spiritual mentoring, personal hygiene, counseling, sports programs... We got to visit one of these boarding schools.

http://cct.org.ph

I realize that blogging helps me process these experiences. Gets me to look at pictures and think about the significance of the people and places. Acts as sort of a personal debriefing session. I've had the opportunity to get a glimpse of several Christian organizations around Manila. So what? Why? How has it affected me? Here's some thoughts after visiting CCT:

- God is at work in many places and in many ways even when it seems otherwise

- There is unspeakable sadness especially when children are neglected and abused

- There is only one true hope for all of humanity - Christ alone

- Riches in this world has nothing to do with true happiness

- Some of the happiest children I've met have $5 of net worth
- It's humbling to be in the presence of those who are serving indigent children
- I wish that my faith could be more "child-like"

One of the privileges of living in Manila (and Luanda) is being in a third world country. It only takes a 5-minute drive before you're in the midst of extreme poverty. And I think it really is a privilege. Being so close to poverty changes your perspective on many things including money and wealth. As I look back on life in Angola, the two things that stand out to me the most are Kambamba and Chiquito. As for Manila? I'm still trying to figure it out. There is a greater reason to be here. Still looking. Still hoping. Your prayers for our family are cherished.