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