Gate 57

My alarm went off at 6:50, and I jumped out of bed, eager to get started on my first full day in Manila. We left the apartment at 8am, heading to the Kaibigan Community Center to meet some Center for Community Transformation (CCT) leaders. We started the trip with a look at the center's water bottling program, then moved to the main building where we joined in at the end of discipleship. We listened to some of the individuals' testimonies, which were incredibly moving (God is so good). 


Afterwards, we watched a CCT video, then met a male whose story was featured in the documentary. We ended the visit with a look at the food preparation, then jumped in the van to deliver the lunches. We drove for about 10 minutes, then arrived in a park where a group of "street-dwellers" were gathered, ready to hear the word of God. The sermon was preached in Tagalog, with some verses spoken in English. The meals were then handed out afterwards, and the people were so joyous to be given food. 

With the storm about to break, our group headed to a restaurant nearby called "The Pancake House," which made Georgie's eyes light up (she loves pancakes). After lunch, we drove to a slum in an area called Parola, where we got out and adventured through the tiny, crowded walkways to a CCT center. We went through Gate 57, which was one of many dark entrances, filled with little stores and people everywhere. The children flocked to us, intrigued by our cameras. We got lots of photos of the sweet, innocence youth - who really moved me. I love kids, and it's so heartbreaking to see them living in such poverty.  

Our final stop for the day was another CCT center, which had a small church area with chairs set up. On our tour, Josh took notice of a kid playing badminton outside and ran out to join. Tim was up next, and I think the local children loved the interaction - although I'm sure Tim and Josh enjoyed it more. 

We headed back to the apartment for a rest and an opportunity to freshen up. What an incredible day so far. God is opening up my eyes to poverty I've never seen before. These people have such little, but they love the Lord so much. I cannot wait to learn more.