Today is Sunday. Church service begins at 9am. The boys went for an early breakfast at the nearby Pares Pares (the first restaurant I ate in Manila). While I was eating, I saw a boy come and sit not too far from us. I initially thought he was a beggar begging for food. The establishment didn't seem to mind his presence. My thoughts were later confirmed as he slided over to an abandoned tray of leftover food and began to pick at the food. I'm pretty sure I saw him during my first visit and he given a plate of rice by the boss lady. Seems like he is a regular customer. At one point, our eyes met, and I thought his eyes were a bit odd. Like they weren't focused (each eye looking at two different places). He didn't talk at all and doesn't respond to the boss lady, and I didn't initiate a conversation, me being a foreigner is awkward enough. Me, being the ambassador of Christ, and fully aware of my mission in Manila...chose to ignore him and hope he didn't beg me for food. (Hope you are proud of yourself, Shaun) Anyway, that was then. Now, I would see what the reaction of my mates were. Allan was fluent with Tagalog and started to talk with him. Minutes later, the boy left and I asked Allan what they talked about. He merely replied that he wished he could see him again.
We had quiet time, and the verse was Isaiah 40:28-31. God gives strength to the weary. We hadn't even started the evangelism sessions yet. How could I say I was tired and weary? And I was reminded that Jesus invites me to His arms and He will give me rest. What a comforting thought!
We then made our way to church for English service. The chairs were already arranged properly in the dim hall (the lights weren't on save for the front stage lights). The 24 prayer group were really cranking up the volume as the time ticked to 9am, where a movie was shown. After the moving video, praise and worship followed immediately, and everyone rushed with gusto to the front. What enthusiasm! After that was communion, and a lady gave her testimony in Tagalog. The female preacher talked about holiness and it's a mixture of Tagalog and English. Now, interestingly, during altar call, they held up a cardboard sign saying "Jesus Our Lord and Saviour" and this was where those who responded to the message could gather for leaders to pray for them. The whole church stretched out their hands together to pray for those who responded. This is something we don't do in our church, and it really gave a sense that we as believers are together in all of this.
After that, we had a fellowship lunch, and we needed to finish before the afternoon Tagalog service. Hastily, I ran back to our apartment whereabouts to buy a roast chicken (which tastes sweeter than the average roast chicken in Australia) and back again to chip in for lunch. Met a lot of young uni students. It's too bad I didn't get any of their Facebooks. An oversight on my part. :(
In the afternoon, I was rostered to lead a session that showcases CCM activities from Melbourne and Brisbane to the uni students in Hope Manila. Apparently, some of them were interested in forming their very own CCM in their respective universities. I was encouraged by the 16 that came straight after church service and had to put their plans on hold for us. Each uni had their own struggles/strongholds. Some had competition with various other clubs, and some even had to deal with downright weird and borderline occultic clubs. Truly there are many obstacles that lie ahead for these students, but their faith in Jesus was great, and that alone shall prevail in the end.
As you are reading this, spare a moment or two to pray for Hope Manila's student leaders and members, and for the opening of doors in the various universities, and whatever may happen, that their faith shall never cease, and shall continue to burn strongly and brightly for the glory of God. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment