Sermons on the (Smokey) Mount

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. -Galations 5:6b 

Our ministry time in Smokey Mountain has begun! Smokey Mountain is the site of Manila's former trash dump, which formed a huge mountain. Previously, many people lived on the trash heap scavenging for recyclables or anything of value, but now the government has built around a dozen 5-story permanent housing (apartment) buildings where thousands still live. This week the justice team has been working alongside YWAM Balut with its various ministries within the Smokey Mountain community. We started off with orientation at the Balut YWAM base where the coordinator shared with us a brief history and the central aims of the base. Initially, the focus has been on providing healthcare to the hundreds of people, young and old affected by TB (Tuberculosis) and other treatable health conditions and illnesses. Over the years this focus has expanded to meet the pressing issue of breaking the generational cycle of poverty through education. YWAM Balut strongly believe that along with the Gospel, education is the central way of bringing about lasting change in the lives of the families that live in Smokey Mountain. Through education, children will gain the necessary qualifications that will give them options for the future so that poverty  will not continue to define their daily lives.

Edgar, Nicole, Joshua, and Mishelle with a man they visited

After the orientation we caught a jeepney to the recently build ministry centre located at Smokey Mountain. This purpose built centre will be the location for a range of ministries, including bible studies and the high school ministry. Here we split into three groups of four and with a YWAM Balut staff member we conducted visitations. This involved speaking with mothers, some fathers and grandparents who have children who are part of the school sponsorship programme. We would arrive at a family's house, introduce ourselves with "Ako si [name] and speak with them,via translator about their living situation, the health and well-being of the members of their family. We heard about the challenges the families faced with regard to finding permanent employment, illnesses, schooling, food and finances. After asking questions and listening a couple of people within the group would pray, share Bible verses and encourage  the parents. Visitation was at times awkward but as we got used to thinking of and asking relevant questions we were able to establish a rapport with the individuals we met.  Meeting with the various families was not only a time of encouragement for them but also a time of learning for us as we observed the reality of poverty and living from day to day. We saw that it was not uncommon for multiple families to be living in a two roomed house, with one visit revealing 34 people living in one home. Many of the adults of this house slept in the outside with the children sleeping on mats or the floor  in the main room. 

In amongst visitation we also had the opportunity to spend time at the Malnutrition Day Care Unit. Our time here was a highlight for many of the people in our justice team, we were able to feed and play with a group of babies aged between one month and two years. It was fantastic to be able to cuddle and hold these beautiful children and learn more about their young lives and the nature of the work of the day care employees. From Monday to Friday this day care looks after about ten to fifteen young children and offers weekly bible studies for the mothers. We came to see that due to malnutrition these children were not reaching the developmental milestones a healthy baby should be achieving in their early years. We observed a stark contrast in size of the babies and toddlers we see back in our home countries and the little ones at this day care. Children who were nearly two years old were still learning to walk and even struggled to roll over from their tummy to the back. We learned that many of the babies had coughs because the days are so hot and at night they are sleeping outside in the cooler temperatures. Despite the developmental obstacles that these children face, we got to see their amazing personalities revealed during play with them, some were content just to watch the things happening around them while others were more adventurous and were climbing and crawling.

Nutritional day care center

Tricycle ride!

On Friday we had the opportunity to go to the newest trash site, a short tricycle ride from Smokey Mountain and help with the feeding program that YWAM Balut coordinates. We managed to fit 14 people between two tricycles and despite some near misses we arrived safely at the YWAM building. This new trash site differed significantly from the permanent housing at Smokey Mountain, whereas Smokey Mountain's roads and alley ways were cleared of rubbish the new trash site was dominated with discarded rubbish everywhere. We began the morning with introductions, actions songs and then Ate (respectful term for a woman who is older than you), Jovy, our YWAM staff leader prayed for the food. Danny and Jules helped wash the children's hands and then the meal of fish, rice and soup was served to 60-70 children. It was amazing to see how having a cup of water and a plate of food was so valuable to the kids, plastic cups of water were carried with extreme care so as not to drop any on the dirty ground.  It was mind-blowing to think how this small portion of water is an essential part to their daily survival and one that we often use so wastefully.

In the afternoon we returned to the ministry centre for the high school ministry, this entailed us leading a group young adults in games, worship, testimonies and a message. We took part in this ministry time again on Saturday morning with a different group of teenagers, many of which are sponsored by YWAM Balut to go to public high school and receive an education. For many children and teenagers in Smokey Mountain YWAM sponsorship is the only way they have access to schooling as their families do not have the finances to send their children to school.  Mishelle and Lindsay gave a short sermon and Paul, Joshua and Jules shared testimonies about how God has been active in their lives.  These ministry sessions have  been a time where God has challenged us by getting us out of our comfort zones and trying new things. 

High School Ministry

We also served in a second feeding program on Saturday morning as part of YWAM Balut's TB ministry. This was an interesting experience as there was the 12 members of the justice team, two YWAM staff and about 40 children aged between one year and 15 years crammed into a single room  no bigger than a the houses we had visited during our visitation time. We taught the children a number of action songs, then split up into two groups where Mishelle shared a devotion about identity with the older kids and Amber read a story to the younger ones. Kyle then helped Ate Jovy with serving the children tasty chicken soup and the rest of the justice team spent time talking and playing with the kids. We loved seeing the children's energy and eagerness to talk with us and join in with the singing.

Overall, we have been amazed at how God is working through the YWAM ministry in Smokey Mountain. We are thankful for the warm welcome and hospitality we have received by the YWAM staff and the families we have met. Despite their struggles they still greet us with a smile and are happy to share with us. We are learning more about how God is in the midst of people's lives,  familiar with their struggles and fully aware of the poverty that surrounds and swamps them. We see that we have been placed in this community to encourage and demonstrate the love of God through the various ministry activities we are involved in. We are relying on God to give us the strength, discernment, love and compassion  we need in order for us to actively show our faith to others and communicate the hope that we have found in Jesus Christ. 

If this past week has been any indicator we know that the upcoming one is going to be amazing! Until next time "Paalam" (goodbye).

Blessings, 
The Justice Team

Outreach on Land and Sea

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:8-10, ESV)

The justice team has had another week of hard work and sweat on board the Pacific Hope. The cleaning projects inside and out have continued with the paint chipping and scraping coming to an end and the first coat of paint being applied. The majority of the outside crew moved inside to help with renovating the mess hall and lounge/dining area. We stripped the wallpaper to reveal bare wooden walls pulled up the old carpet so it can be replaced. Many people have spent hours polishing brass portholes, a definite test of our patience as results are slow to appear.

Lindsay preparing the walls for painting

The funnel paint crew

During the week we have had many specialist work crews come aboard to do welding,  fix the air conditioning,  work on the plumbing, deliver fresh water and remove sewage. We are thankful and amazed at the way God provides for the practical needs of the ship - He has met our financial needs so far and has provided ways to lower expenses and still get tasks completed. We can't wait to see the Pacific Hope when it has been fully renovated. It will look amazing!

On Tuesday, the girls received the welcome news that the guys would be trading places with them for sleeping; the air-conditioned and spacious guys' cabin became the temporary home for the girls while the guys resorted to camping out in the dining area and upper deck. This was a definite blessing as a number of girls were not well and really needed a place of their own to rest and re-energize. Thankfully, the air-conditioning was up and running on Friday so the girls moved into their original cabins and the guys returned to theirs. We are all thankful to God for the cool rooms we can stay in and sleep in after a hot day's work. The justice, medical, and worship teams also got to relax and cool off at a nearby pool (part of the Manila Ocean Park) on Wednesday afternoon. This was a welcome break from the normal routine, and we enjoyed the refreshing swim and even got to watch a sea lion show in the neighboring pool.

This week a number of our group (Jules, Mishelle, and Amber)  had the opportunity to meet the family that Nicole and Edgar have been getting to know. We have been able to give them food and money for them to buy the initial school start-up kit (school books, uniform, certification, etc) for King David, their four year old son who will be beginning school in the upcoming months. His mother was excited to show Nicole and Edgar all the school supplies bought with our donations. We are so happy that we could help them in a practical way that will make a difference to the lives of their young children. Edgar and Nicole are also looking for ways to help them in even longer-lasting ways.


Dan and Edgar also had an adventure this week helping an elderly woman named Vyoleta whom Edgar and Nicole recently also found living on the street. A little while ago they noticed her sitting on the sidewalk with just a couple of plastic bags presumably containing all her worldly possessions. Each day after that, they noticed her in the same spot, seeming hardly to have moved. Feeling compassion for her, they began to bring her some food and get to know her as best they could to find out how she ended up the the situation she was in. They learned that she was actually from Mindanao, the large southernmost island in the Philippines, and had come to Manila to find her son, who was supposed to be living here. But once she arrived here she had no way to contact or find him, so she ended up on the street with nowhere to go. She seemed to be very depressed and without hope; it was difficult to even get her to eat. Edgar and Nicole talked to our ship's Filipino cooks, asking if there was some organization that could help her and at least get her off the street. They directed us to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a government agency, saying the organization could take her in, look for her family, and take care of her if no one could be found to take her.

So on Friday afternoon Edgar and Dan headed out with Evelyn, another Filipino crew member, to try and take Vyoleta to the DSWD at the nearby city hall. It proved easier said than done, as first Vyoleta refused to come with us despite her complete lack of other options, perhaps due to distrust, depression, or maybe even a spiritual attack. After nearly 45 minutes of coaxing and praying, however, she agreed to get in a cab with us. The cab driver didn't exactly know where the DSWD was, but we eventually found the right building. They let us in, and we wrote a letter telling how we met Vyoleta and what we knew about her. They assured us that they would give her food, a place to stay, and medical care, and they would try to find her family as well. So we prayed for her and left her in their care. We have continued to pray each night that she will receive all the care that she needs, along with the hope of the gospel.

The busy week ended with a relaxed weekend. Church was held on the ship and included thought-provoking sermon given by a medical DTS student and a time of prayer for the needs of the ship in the upcoming week.  Friday was our last day of work on the ship as we will begin our ministry this week. We are looking forward to learning about the range of ministries YWAM has in Manila and we are excited to see how God will use each of us to show His love to the many people we will meet. 

Until next time,
The Justice team


P.S. We're sorry this is so late - the internet isn't always the most reliable here in the Philippines.

Sanctifying a Rust Bucket

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

This week we have transitioned from the comfort of the Kabayan Hotel to our next home on the M/V Pacific Hope, Marine Reach Ministry's "new" ship. Monday morning started strong with worship and group devotions led by Nicole, followed by a prayer walk around the streets that surrounded the hotel. For this we split up into three groups of four and prayed together and then set out into the hectic streets to walk, pray, and initiate conversations with the people we met on the way. This was challenging at the start - most of us aren't used to walking up to strangers in a foreign country - but it got easier, and we were able to talk and pray with lots of different people.

Waiting...and waiting...to be allowed to board the ship

After eating lunch at the hotel, we piled ourselves along with our baggage into two jeepneys and headed to the Manila Hotel. Rides in the jeepney are always interesting (and rather uncomfortable) with people sitting on each others laps and backpacks crammed in the aisle and stacked high to the ceiling. Upon arriving at the Manila Hotel we realized that we actually needed to be at the South Harbor which was relatively close but still a ways away. Unfortunately the jeepneys that brought us to the Manila Hotel had left in a hurry so we made this part of the journey on foot in the Manila heat with all our luggage - needless to say we were sweaty when we finally arrived. Similar to the Philippines Airport Customs, we waited for about four hours for the port authorities to process our passports and grant permission for the justice, medical and worship teams to travel by water taxi and board the Pacific Hope that was waiting for us in the Manila Harbour. This time of waiting provided a good opportunity for people to catch up on reading, worship, and relax with each other.

The view from the ship at anchor in Manila Harbor

Seeing the Pacific Hope for the first time was surreal, it is a long-awaited answer to countless prayers, patience, and the hard work of many people. Stepping onto the ship was an exciting, yet humbling experience. As we explored the corridors, mess hall, upper and lower decks we realized the enormity of the task that lay ahead of us for cleaning and renovating the ship, inside and out. While the rust and the lack of air conditioning in much of the ship (especially the girls dormitories) was daunting, we looked towards this mega cleaning project with enthusiasm. We are the first of future Marine Reach Training DTS (Discipleship Training School) students to be onboard the Pacific Hope. We have the opportunity to start at the beginning of its history with Marine Reach Ministries and see it transformed into an amazing tool for extending the gospel and the hope it brings to the islands in the Pacific. The potential and vision of the Pacific Hope is far-reaching and we as the justice team are excited that we are able to leave our mark on this ship (and the history of YWAM Marine Reach) literally as we have spent hours chipping layers of paint and rust from the ship's exterior, scrubbing toilets and floors, polishing brass and cleaning dishes.

The M/V Pacific Hope in Manila Harbor

As a group we are thankful to God that the Pacific Hope did not come to us brand new, but that it requires attention and investment toward its restoration. We are able to recognize how God desires us to be reliant on him and his provision and to trust that he will give all that we need. From Tuesday to Friday this week we have been amazed at God's provision for us. Working in the heat of the day we have been able to go about our work on the ship with God-given energy and endurance despite the lack of sleep, especially for many of the girls who have been sleeping outside on deck because their rooms have been reaching temperatures of 40 degrees celsius due to no air-conditioning. God has sustained us when we have been tired physically and mentally and has given us strength to continue in our work.

Nicole is ready to chip some paint!

What happens to you after chipping paint for several hours

Lindsay chipping away

Danny's hand, which had been busily polishing the portholes

The justice, medical and worship teams on the ship's bridge!

This week has also been a time of learning for the justice group, many of our group have been learning about what it takes to maintain unity within our group through sharing, questioning and praying during devotion and debrief times. We are learning that our attitude makes a big difference to how we go about our cleaning and maintenance tasks on the ship. We can bring glory to God by the effort we put into the unappealing jobs and the words we speak can be used to encourage and motivate others to build unity within the justice team.

Nicole with the young family she met during this week

While our main focus this week has been towards the ship, a number of our group have demonstrated "doing justice" in everyday life. While waiting for a jeepney, Nicole and Edgar noticed a little girl sleeping on a sheet of cardboard, covered in a small piece of material at a busy bus stop. They were concerned for her safety so Edgar questioned the people standing nearby about whether they knew where the child's mother was. He found out that the mother was working with organizing people into jeepneys. She is 22 years old and 8 months pregnant, with two young children. Edgar and Nicole briefly spoke with the mother and found out that the things they needed most were food and medicine. The next evening they returned with food and one of the leaders of the medical team to check the four year old boy who had a fever and the father who had a wound to the back of his head and hand due to a stabbing. For the remainder of the week Nicole and Edgar spent time speaking with the family about God and their faith and giving them some food and clothing. They found out that the young mother believes in God and the family are currently attending a Catholic church in the local area. While the mother is aware of some social service organizations, limited supported has been given to her and her family. This experience has raised numerous questions: Where is the long-term help for this family? There are people who come, stay for a little while and help but then leave again; how can we really help to change their lives?

We don't have all the answers to these questions, but we do know God has told us to serve the poor and love our neighbor sacrificially (see Luke 10:25-37), which is a central part of the justice God calls us to strive toward. Edgar and Nicole are exemplifying obedience to this command and trying their best to make a long term impact on this beautiful family. Even as our main efforts are going toward a ship which will do future ministry, God is still providing opportunities to make an impact right now in the present.

That's all for this week; we'll try to post again next weekend!

P.S. Here are some excellent glamour shots for your amusement. :)

Led By the Spirit

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14 ESV)

Amid an abundance of tearful goodbyes to our DTS classmates on the Vanuatu outreach team, we left the Marine Reach Training Base in Tauranga, New Zealand at about 5pm on Thursday, headed for the Philippines. We drove to the airport in Auckland, where we flew out at about midnight. After an 11 hour flight, we stopped in Hong Kong for a rushed layover before flying on to Manila (another hour and a half flight). Upon arrival, we realized that we needed to apply and pay for visa extensions before immigration and customs in order to save money. This turned out to be a very long process (three hours!) as we had to gather up the money and wait for the paperwork to be processed. This time was not all wasted, however, as we eventually began praying and speaking to people in the airport. It definitely demonstrated the constant need for flexibility and patience on our outreach, and God’s ability to use even time that seems wasted to us.

Having finally left the airport, we got our first wonderful experience of Manila traffic riding in the back of a jeepney along with all our baggage for a whole hour on what should have been a 15 minute drive (our driver got lost). We arrived at our hotel, ate dinner, and went to bed early (beautiful sleep in a bed!).

The Jeepney has become our main form of transport

Saturday morning started with devotions led by our leader Dan followed by worship together with the medical and worship teams in the hotel’s business lounge. After lunch we headed out to the massive Mall of Asia via another fun jeepney ride. It was huge, had amazing aircon, and an ice-skating rink. It epitomized one extreme of the high-contrast environment in Manila, where wealth and severe poverty exist side by side. We wrapped up the day with a quick trip to pick up our two remaining students at the airport, Steven and Mishelle Chand.

On Sunday morning, we rose early and after a quick breakfast we piled into a jeepney and a van to go to church with some friends of Marine Reach. The jeepney, which is supposed to carry around 20 people max on a good day, ended up carrying 30 people for the hot, smelly 30 minute ride to church. At church, some of our group were blessed to be able to work with the children. The rest of us enjoyed an energetic church service, complete with enthusiastic worship, intelligent preaching, a number from our own worship team, and a testimony from one of the medical students.

Nicole, Mishelle, Paul and Lindsay helped with the kids ministry at the King's Church

Listening to the sermon at Kings Church

We drove home and after lunch and a nap we met to prepare for a prayer walk around some nearby karaoke bars and “gentleman’s clubs.” Near where we are staying there are two solid blocks of clubs that we found and felt we should pray for. We began praying for the first block and the Holy Spirit led several of us to pray that a spiritual “wall of truth and conviction” would be created outside the clubs. We felt that as men approached the club and walk through this spiritual “gate” they would be pressed to see the truth of themselves before a holy God, convicted of the wrongness of their sin, and see that true satisfaction is only found in God. Consistent with this concept, the main focus of our prayer over this block seemed to revolve around the men associated with these clubs, both the owners and clients. We spoke to one of the security guards, who appeared to approve of what we were doing, although one of the owners just laughed upon hearing what we were up to. Still, we felt like our prayers were having a significant spiritual impact over the area, to the point that the owner may soon see an effect on his business due to our actions.

The second block turned out to be even more involved. The concentration of our prayers this time turned immediately to the women caught in the business of these clubs. We felt to pray for the girls there to understand their value and worth in the eyes of God (the only eyes that really matter). Finally, as we turned to leave, a few girls from the clubs opened a second-story window and began calling to our team. They were probably wondering what these strange foreigners were doing pacing around in front of their clubs, waving their arms around and talking to themselves. The girls on our team asked them to come down to the street and soon five of them came out a side door. The girls on our team began talk to them straight away, get to know them, and love on them as best they could. In the meantime, the guys retreated and immediately began praying for our ladies and their interactions with the girls from the club.

One member of our team was praying that we would have the opportunity to form a more solid relationship with these girls that would demonstrate a genuine love for them. God answered this prayer soon after when the girls asked if we would like to come inside and continue talking and praying with them off the street. After quickly praying for discernment from God, three guys decided to accompany five of our ladies inside, while the remainder of the group continued interceding outside. The girls in the club were supposed to be aged 18 to 25; however, some of them appeared much younger. They cheerfully gave our team members a guided tour through their workplace and reminded us it was “for adults.” They understood the darkness of the world they were living in and how we might perceive it as Christians. However, we did not look on with any feelings of judgment or condemnation. How could we, knowing what we know about their situation and about the grace, mercy, and love that we ourselves have received from God? The girls showed us their dressing room, allowed us to pray for them, and one of the girls even prayed for us in tagalog. We left hoping that we would have the opportunity to see these girls again and continue the relationship we had begun.

It could hardly be clearer that the events of the past few days have been orchestrated by God. As we have been sensitive to his Spirit, he has proven faithful to lead us and provide all kinds of opportunities for us to reach out, bless others, and be blessed ourselves. Already in the first day of ministry we have been able to do exactly what we came here for – to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.