Restorers of the Walls

Today I attended and spoke at the very significant dedication service for the new center of a ministry to street kids in Novaliches, Quezon City called Restorers of the Walls. (Isa. 58:12) This ministry was birthed in the mind and heart of my friend and 20 year ministry colleague Luv Zacal when in 1990 he passed through the market area in Novaliches daily on his way to the leprosarium where he worked at the time. He noticed the *many* street children, boys and girls, trying to survive by scavenging recyclable items, selling plastic shopping bags to marketers and sleeping in market stalls with no one ministering the Gospel or Christian compassionate care to them. In 1993 he and some church-mates started praying earnestly about starting a ministry to the kids which resulted in a simple once a week feeding and visitation in the market area. In 2000 ACTION's Street Impact Team (SITeam) conducted a 2 day training session for area pastors and church workers, spearheaded by Luv and his few volunteers, which planted the seed in the hearts and minds of the attendees to do a joint ministry for the kids. Four pastors obeyed the Holy Spirit's prompting to lead their congregations to work together and form Restorers of the Walls.

In early 2006, after a few years of doing street work together, the churches pooled their resources along with the partnership of SITeam and opened a simple center near the market. Throughout that year, ROW continued to mature and develop its ministries of feeding, first-aid, crisis intervention, shelter, friendship and Bible study to the point where a larger home was needed. After lots of prayer and footwork ROW found a nice place which is larger, clean, safe and secure. Today we dedicated the center to the Lord with 10 street kids participating. My message was taken from Luke 19:10 with the gist being that this verse tells us the mission statement of Jesus which all followers of Christ agree. People who know Christ as Savior and Lord may not agree on everything but this statement is where we all have agreement. Jesus Christ is actively seeking and saving people who desire to know the Truth, the Way and have abundant Life. I praise God for His love for all people including the street kids of Novaliches which is being demonstrated daily through ROW and their supporters.

Jeff Anderson