30/03/2016 – Manilla Testimony Day 30th March 2016

Wednesday 30th March Testimony Day

March 30th 2016, Wednesday is a very special and memorable day for me as its my first time to make a testimony of my belief in Christ.

Each day we are given “Rotations”, it is a task in the morning and then rotated to another task in the afternoon. This could be two, three or 4 different rotations per day. This could be construction, swimming instruction, caring for babies, feeding expedition, pre-natal clinic, the orphanage, etc etc. My duties today started with Construction. A small team of Daniel and myself plus some students were tasked with putting some steps in. Shuttering clearing away and getting ready for the skilled guys (local men) to put the cement on and the drain pipes (drainage just leading into a open gulley) It was hot work (40 degrees and Humid) but it seemed inconsequential as we were working as part of a team, getting positive feelings from everyone with their determination to do positive work that the local street families can benefit from. We were helping to make a positive contribution to the local community, and the lady that had been living in this “shell” was so happy to see that improvements were being made. (improvements being steps a door and some interior decoration) Their spiritual gratefulness was not lost on us all, and we gave praise to the Lord for allowing us to be instrumental in helping to improve things.

This was left for the cement to be put on, and we transferred out efforts to clearing a pile of scalpings from outside the Orphanage, where it had been dumped. This was shovelled into bags and then moved inside the gates, again another job that needed doing that would happily help with. The work wasn’t hard, but it was very very warm, so like all the week, it was essential to keep hydrated. Mica was a great help with the bags, and of course the street kids wanted to get involved which was great fun….The feelings from everyone involved this morning were one of working together and working for the Lord. Toil from the heart. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart……….”  Collosians 3:23

Finally being able to do some positive labour, it felt really good to see a “result” We finished off and returned to the YMC Base for lunch. We were all visiting Bahay Kalinga  A “Behaviour Correction Centre” (Youngsters Rehabilitation Centre)  followed by a visit to the Childrens garden of the Philipinnes

At Bahay Kalinga  we found a secure facility for Street Kids that had fallen foul of the law. Stealing, violence etc, these kids were kept here until their court dates. There was also a section for female teenagers that had been sexually abused, some even by their fathers, I found this quite disturbing, and some of us said a prayer for them.   The High School students from Hong Kong, working with KIM put on a few “Skits” for the street kids. These Christian skits were well received by the street kids, who, also held deep faithful beliefs and welcomed the spiritual theme. There was a very good interpreter here as the street kids spoke very limited English.

I had been preparing my testimony for the evening, back at KIM, YMC, but Yan Chi, (The High School Team Leader, from Hong Kong) thought it would be good to give my first testimony for everyone here. I had 15 minutes to finalise and was feeling extremely nervous. people were openly praying for me, many were unaware that this was not only my first but also that I had been back in Gods presence for only 9 months. I had shunned God some 39 years before when my son, at only 10 weeks, was taking from us, not through an illness but Cot Death. I had been in a wilderness of pain for 39 years never understanding “Why” It was a tortuous time that did not diminish at all. Never having spoken to anyone about it, some 38 years later I am talking to friend, a practising Christian who answered the question I had been longing for. “You know why God decided to take your Son?”….. “Because he was such very special boy, that God needed him to look after all the little children in Heaven”…… “He was chosen by God specifically”  Those words had a massive immediate impact on me, it was like a cloud was being lifted from me, all of a sudden it made sense, it really was that simple. God had taken my son, 38 years later he sent someone to tell me why. I had always been interested in Churches and Cathedrals, so perhaps my faith was in fact just on hold? It was very soon after this that I began to read the Bible and re-acquaint myself, I now read every day, not just the Bible but other leading literary books about Christianity. My life has new meaning, I have a relationship with God that is growing daily. My blog is called “A Sheep in Solitude” I believe that is where I am at the moment. Learning to live with God, the centre of my life has shifted from me to him, in a hugely positive way. Gavin is there by his side, looking after all the children, doing what he was born for. We all have choices in life.

The Bible says that you were created in the image of God. The ability to choose is the quintessential characteristic that separates us from the animals. Its one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. But since free choice means we are equally able to make bad choices, its also your greatest curse………………..You cannot control your circumstances. But you can control how you respond to those circumstances. “The lazy man is full of excuses” Don’t be that person. Stop making excuses for you unrealised dreams. Make the choice today to do something about the dreams God has given you

I personally feel very safe in his hands. Our lives are all about our relationship with God. Many people who were with us in Manila spoke of their relationship with God and the difference it has made to them, I felt, I feel,  part of a very big family. The last 9 months has been a like a pregnancy, and now I am reborn, there have been tears along the way but life is so positive now, and being here in Manila, working with KIM and the very special people from Hong Kong and the Philipinnes, I feel blessed and ready to continue to serve. Although very nervous (I have spoken in front of many hundreds before) speaking about one self in such a raw state was strangely very calming, the reception from everyone was overwhelming, and even 3 Pastors who had been listening came to me afterwards. This was my first testimony, and I know it wont be my last. I received many may comments about my testimony that evening and the following morning. Jeff Long from KIM and YMC spoke to me the following morning asking me to go back to Manila soon, he wanted me to do more, infact he said “I want you to come and work for me at YMC” What an amazing offer, one which I am still thinking about.

We moved on to the Childrens Garden at Antipolo, for a buffet meal prepared for us by the staff at this small Ministry. There was singing of church music and playing of some very strange games (in a nice way) and a home prepared meal that was excellent. 3 of the ministry kids presented their testimonies to us, very moving knowing the stories behind how they managed to be there, taken under the wings of the staff there. Daniel, one of the parents from Hong Kong spoke about the relationship with God. it was very interesting as he had written a “Rap” and with one of the young lads from the mission playing the Base melody, he gave us a very upbeat, rhythmical testimony. Before we left, 10 of the HK Students were invited up to partake in a closing “Ritual” called Balut which drinking the yolk from the chicken eggs that were part formed with Chick embryo’s

It had been a very long day and the drive back to YMC took about an hour, there was light discussion before people drifted off to their rooms. I went out to sit under the tree’s and reflect on what had been an incredible day. God had helped me get through this day, a day where I finally accepted, in public, Gods love for me and for my dear son Gavin. I feel wonderful!!