faith like a child

It was dark tonight, as we were leaving the slum, San Bueña, in Cainta. We had stayed extra late to attend a bible study after the worship service. There is a couple there that wants to become leaders in the church. Ate Thess is going to have bible study with them for a while first. Jeremy, me and all our kids we were walking towards the public transportation with Ate Thess, Ate Grace and L.J. The night was beautiful. A cool breeze eased our walk back to the main road. I was holding Isaiah’s hand as we were walking with Ate Thess. He looked up into the night sky, noticed the almost-full moon and said with amazement in his voice, “Look Mommy!” We were talking about how beautiful it was when he cleverly said, “God turned out the lights and turned on the moon.” I love his gift of faith. The way he sees God in the little things I take for granted. There are so many things around me, amazing things that God is doing every day that I don’t notice or just take for granted. I am asking the Lord to help me see him in the everyday things. Especially while we are here, while the pace is a bit slower and my spiritual sensitivity is supposedly heightened. Lord, what are the things that you want to say, the things that you want to show me that I am usually too busy or distracted to hear. I want to see you in the world through the eyes of a two-year old.

a different attitude

Last night we traveled approximately 3 hours up to Tagaytay, the location of the smallest volcano in the world. But we weren’t there to see the volcano, we went to attend the monthly MMP prayer retreat. It was very nice to get away from the heat, smog and noise of the city. I greatly enjoyed the change in terrain and scenery too. it was very green and flowery up there. These MMP pastors who are all working in different slum areas of Metro Manila planting churches gather once a month to rest, pray, be together and refocus on their calling. I am always impressed every time I am around these hard-working men and women. Their sacrifice is similar to none that I know. They are ministers to the poorest of the poor, yet they are also living on very measly resources, most are poor themselves by our standards. Many have to find work outside their MMP jobs selling insurance or home-made cards to make ends meet. They work very hard. Yet I am still waiting to hear one of them complain…something that is so easy for me to do. I am still learning and asking the Lord, why their attitudes and hearts are so different than mine. How are they able to work, give and sacrifice all they have and remain so joyful?