I am again a thousand miles from where the kids are. Four
thousand, two hundred, and ninety-seven to be exact. Yet, I am compelled to do
something, however small it may be, to give them a joyous Christmas. I am humbled
that despite the failures and weaknesses I have, He still uses me and has
connected me to the people who have the same heart that I have.
It is so amazing to see that God has always been steps
ahead of me, orchestrating events in the background, all for His ultimate
glory. It was His move that made me invite the Pastor Roland and his beautiful
wife to be part of the Christmas Outreach for the kids last year. This sparked
my involvement with their Children’s Ministry in Philcoa. The things that I
used to do alone when I was still a college student are the same things that
they are doing. Truly, God's timing is always perfect. Teaching the kids about
the Bible, how to read and write, feeding them twice a week, listening to their
stories, loving and caring for them when they are sick or have skin diseases
and so much more.
Every week, Kuya Ringo and his wife, Ate Girlie, close their "gotohan" to cook good and healthy food for the hungry
children. They can then come home to their families spiritually and physically
nourished. And sometimes you will see them not finishing their food, so they
can give some to their younger siblings. Most of the kids arrive really hungry.
They would always go back for a second, third, or even a fourth helping. And
the church is gracious enough to give them as much as there is still food in
the kitchen.
The Bible Christian Fellowship is a small church in
Philcoa, yet it is able to feed 30-50 children week after week. It is a
model of the Macedonian Church, Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 8:1 -5. The church has been doing this for more than 5 years already. It thrives not relying on outside donations. The members are sacrificing not just their own money but even their personal time.Their abundant joy overflowed in rich generosity.
His wife, Tita Arcie is the epitome of the Proverbs 31
woman. She cooks and feeds the children every Wednesday and also the whole
church every Sunday. Isn't she amazing? They always come whether there are children
that would show up or none. Actually, they aren't children anymore. I'm just so
used to it since I have seen them since they were little. Time flies so fast
that now some of them have started their own families already. This makes us
very sad. But still we are hopeful. I see Pastor Roland and his wife not giving
up despite the setbacks and difficulties in mentoring and discipling the older
ones.
The whole Sarmago family, including their two lovely daughters,
Mittsu and Al'ya have also important roles in the ministry. They lead the
children in worship, in singing and dancing which the kids really enjoy. They
also teach their own classes; Mittsu on the teeny tiny little ones and Al'ya to
the pre-teens. And they also do more than that. I've heard Mittsu patiently
cleaning a kid with a skin disease every week until the kid was healed. The
mother was more than thankful. Mittsu also clothes the children if they arrive wet
from the rain. Al'ya on the other hand, travels from University of the
Phillippines, Los Baños where she
studies braving the commute just to serve the church and the children. Moreover,
she is also the worship leader of the church.
I am so blessed to have known this family and I commend
them for their unwavering faith, selfless love, and heartfelt generosity not
only to the children but also to us.
Evidently, there are
still more to be acknowledged. The Matulac family for cooking the
food; Raymart who serves joyfully to the hungry mouths; Kuya Ave, who comes all
the way from Makati and washes the dirty dishes and Jamel, the newest teacher
to the group.
They are the hidden band of heroes doing the job of loving the little children as Jesus does in the small community of Philcoa. I have a lot more stories to tell but I will let the pictures do the talking for now.
(Please look up https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151251618731276.508669.640056275&type=1&l=9a4586ed21)
I’m so blessed to have
spent the first half of the year with them. I have learned a lot and their
dedication to the work is very inspiring. I know the children will be in good
hands this December. Yes, I’m afraid I won’t be in Manila this Christmas. I am
thankful to all my friends and to the people whom I haven’t met who gave and
supported me all through the years. You all know who you are. This time, I am
asking your support once again in sending my love to the children across the miles. By the way, Kuya Ave who
does the dishes is also an accountant so everything will be reported after.
(This, I always fail to do. Yet, I thank you for the trust.)
The party will be held on
the first Sunday of December. Please feel free to send me a message in my
facebook or email (lynnegl@yahoo.com) if you want to be a part of this. I will be more than happy to hear from you.
If you wish to contact
the church, please call/text Ms. Arcie Sarmago +639165178571.
Thank you so much for your generosity and I pray for a
love-filled Christmas to all of you.
