Day 5 & 6

Day 5 - massive interweb failure - boo!

Day 6 - We made the trek to Manila which is not too far, but subject to traffic jams of truly biblical proportions. Our goal was to leave by 5am - we were close - 6:30am. I don't respond well to schedules that are fluid and that I have absolutely no control over. God is surely trying to teach me patience this week. Our goal in Manila was a baranguay named Divisario. It is in an area called China Town but was not anything like China Town in Chicago. It is a wholesale market area and up til now I have never known crowded. I was lucky enough to ride in the car with Jeff Pessina to Manila and his description of Divisario was that it was "unnatural". I thought this was an odd choice of words, but he explained that he did not think it was God's intention for that many people to live in that little space. There are entire sections of shanty housing that go on for blocks and blocks. Right in the midst of this extreme urban environment, are naked kids running around because they are so poor they have no clothes. It was the most extreme poverty I have ever seen. Jeff Pessina said early in his ministry he lived in one of the shanty towns for 3-4 months. I cannot imagine staying even 1 night. We packed into a crowded alley way and tried to hand out meals, crayons, and new sandals. The pressing crowd was terrifying. We were warned about pick pockets and grab thieves. Within 2 minutes of exiting the car I was brushed by a pick pocket and then I watched her systematically check every other male in the group to see which pocket held a wallet. None did. She appeared to be less than 10 years old. After handing out the sandals an older man held out his hand to me and I thought I would be funny and slap it giving him "five". He snatched my wedding ring and I just barely clenched my fist before he got it off my finger.

We drove a few miles to a mall for lunch at McDonalds and then went to another area along the docks of the China Sea coast. This whole area is a brand new ministry focus for Frontline and we are one of the first groups to go to Divisario with them. Before going over to the dock area we stopped by the Captain of the baranguay. This was to get his security detail to go with us, because the dock areas are some of the toughest, worst areas of the city. A few weeks before us, a group of German missionaries went in there without them and were robbed of everything they had within the first 5 minutes. We drove in and immediately a crowd started forming. I got a very uneasy sense and told the students to all stay in our vehicles. Only the Filipino leaders and adults got out. As soon as the meals materialized it was clear this was unlike any atmosphere we had ever been in. Bob and Jeff Rice climbed on top of the van roof to take video and pictures. The food ran out immediately. We then took 3 backpacks full of bags of candy for the kids and started throwing them into the crowd. I jumped onto the roof with them. It was chaos! Once the candy was gone we were directed back into our vans and whisked out. The desperation and aggressiveness of the crowd was sobering and shocking. For our older students most of all, because the food and candy was served out of the back of their van so they had a front row seat. Tomorrow's small group time should be interesting. I cannot believe how many people live in such crowded, filthy conditions. Jeff was telling us that when one of the little shanty houses catch fire they burn and start a chain that can burn entire sections up to 10-12 blocks long often trapping people inside. They routinely collapse and are havens for drug abuse and crime. The government does little to help or stop it. Occasionally building or property owners complain so the government will bulldoze them down, but they get built right back up. I told Debbie these garbage material structures are like tumors on existing buildings - sometimes 3 or 4 stories high. Suddenly I think Jeff Pessina's description of unnatural is totally appropriate.

Tomorrow we go to the prison. I am looking forward to going to a place where Frontline has an established ministry and more controlled environment. It was such a notable difference to me and gave me an incredible respect for both Jeff's as we got to see what these places are like before they get started. They are truly on the razor's edge of ministry.

I think we are to the half way point. I must not be done here yet because I am not ready to face the long flight home. For probable the first time in my life I am homesick like a grade schooler at summer camp. I guess it's good for me.

A quick rewind to Sunday - Day 5. We took the "trikes" to McDonalds after church. It was the best tasting cheeseburger and fries I have ever had. Trikes are the taxis made of an underpowered motorcycle with a side car. See my facebook for a pic. It was the driver, Rowland (an FTC kid), and me on the seat. Allan, and 2 more FTC kids in the side car for a total of 6 people and roughly 100 cc's of power - not to mention he had to hit the brakes to turn since I was providing the counter weight on the back. Yet it was more thrilling than a roller coaster as the driver could negotiate clearances between my knees and oncoming traffic down to the millimeter. Rowland showed me the place he lived under the mall entrance for 2 years. When I said I was glad he didn't have to live that way anymore he said "praise God". It was a powerful reminder that I should feel the same way - I don't have to live my old way anymore praise God. Why don't I?

Finally, my big revelation of the day was a comment Jeff Pessina made on the drive to Manila. He was commenting on Filipino's complete disregard for traffic laws. He said he wasn't sure why they painted the lines on the pavement - nobody cared. On the way home Debbie and I were chatting and I said that I was always worried about the lines on the pavement in a world where nobody else was. I am not sure what that meant - still not sure but it seems profound. Either that or I am just totally worn out. I did get up at 3:30 am this morning so I could leave an hour and a half late. There's one of those lines again.

Well, I am going to check Facebook one more time and see if I get lucky enough to catch Brandie. It rained here last night and ruined my cyber-date. I don't mind teling, you I cursed a little.