Three of my girlfriends and I jumped on a bus and headed up to the mountain city of Baguio. The city was beautiful and the filipinos were friendly. It was nice to have a break from the crazy traffic, pollution, and chaos of Manila. We enjoyed the fresh mountain air, the cooler temperatures, the city market, and kind taxi drivers, but I think what we enjoyed most was our last night in Baguio.
On the first night we discovered that children come caroling (in return for money) in the city park. We had lots of fun chatting to them about Jesus and singing with them. We decided to come back another night with candy so that we could have more of these sweet conversations.
On our last night we set off to the city park with candy in hand. After waiting a few minutes, a little 5th grade girl came straight up to us with her hand stretched out asking for money. We asked her to sing with us but she got so embarrassed that she sat beside (instead of standing in front of us) and ended up staying with us for about an hour. We learned all about her story ~ she didn't know where her mother was, her father was in jail in Manila and went from wife to wife, she lived with her grandma who was sick with TB, and her grandfather didn't look after them. Jarael (the little girl) was out asking for money to buy medication for her grandmother. It scared us that she was out so late by herself. So much could happen to her.
More young children began to come over to talk. Jarael had to interpret quite a bit for us but we loved this interaction. She said they were from the slums. Some of the kids were real feisty and began kicking each other and mocking us. I wondered what kind of influence they had in their lives... where they live... what happens to them when the go home... do they have a home... I began praying for them as we chatted. All of the sudden a whistle blew and the boys who were with us, Miguel and Milo, said the guards were coming and they scattered. A few minutes later, some other boys who were with us earlier returned with bicycles. Guards began chasing them and removed them from the bikes... stolen bikes. The boys got a scolding and went away. We watched with wide eyes. These children live lives that I cannot comprehend. Eventually Miguel and Milo came back to talk a little more until we were feeling like it was getting a little late and we were getting a little uncomfortable. We left and went home.
All four of us went back to our hotel and prayed for the children and
people we met. It made our stomachs turn because it seemed like the
kids we had been with kept looking around... were they being watched or
controlled by someone? Maybe, may not. There is so much injustice in
the world. I have so many questions and am saddened by the things I
have seen. I'm grateful that I have Jesus to walk this journey with.
He is teaching me so much and showing me that we can't do the
impossible... we need to leave it to God. We can be willing vessels for
Him to use though.
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| Caroling in the park |
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| Market time |
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| Baguio City Market |
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| Lights in the park |
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| Baguio... reminds me a little of home |
