Relief work continues

Yesterday Luv Zacal and I did two more relief operations for victims of recent fires in Metro Manila. In Novotas we partnered with Christian Challenge Church located in a poor area near the Fish Port area. We gave 100 families with school age children a backpack filled with pens, pencils, paper and a school uniform along with a tarpaulin because rainy season is starting. The church was packed with smiling laughing kids and moms so the little building was very hot and stuffy with the smell of sweat but everyone was very excited to receive the items. Then we went to Malabon, the next city just north of Navotas along Manila Bay, and gave 200 families the same items except the tarpaulins at the Church of Hope. Again the church was packed with excited happy people.

At both churches the pastors gave a short but clear gospel message along with a warm invitation to the recipients to attend worship services. I was told that Christian Challenge is so full on Sunday mornings that people stand or sit outside the door so the church wants to put up a basic structure near the fire zone for people to attend afternoon services and Bible studies during the week. Pastor Mamaril has done outreach in the Fish Port area for several years among children working late at night carrying fish to the vendors from the fishing vessels unloading their catch. The kids are nicknamed "batang bakaw" or child thieves because often they pocket a fish or two to bring "home" for their next meal. Pray for Pastor Mamaril and the church. They're small but very significant to their community and the Kingdom of God. Pastor Capili of the Church of Hope told me that they have two separate weekly Bible studies for the fire victims they're ministering to and will visit each family that received school items yesterday. Pastor Capili is the worship leader and visitation pastor of the the church. Both churches are long-time partners in ministry to street children and their families so we work together through-out the year.

Tuesday next week we'll give the same school items to 50 families from another fire zone in partnership with another church ACTION works with called Christ Commission Fellowship which has a congregation of around 10-12,000. We're happy in the Lord to assist our partners in ministry to the poor in this way especially with classes opening Monday.

I think what thrills me most though is the networking of Kingdom-minded churches located around the world of various affiliations whether they're poor or rich, small or large, in our common passion to provide compassionate care and the gospel to the poor surrounding us. Proverbs 14:21b says: "happy is he who is gracious to the poor". (NASB) Amen.

In His service,

Jeff