Where He leads

2/13/15

Do you want to go down and see them? Krissa asked. 

I looked at Sarah, trying to tell if she was okay with it. I didn't need to ask, it didn't matter that we were walking underneath a bridge on a two foot ledge covered in river water, along the Manila River. It didn't matter that we were wearing flip-flops and could catch an infection from the black water. It didn't matter that Sarah is 5 months pregnant and was super clumsy even before she was pregnant; nothing was going stop her from serving. 

I climbed down under the bridge and as I walked along, I silently prayed that Sarah would pay attention and not fall into the river beside us. We walked about 10 yards, when I hear Sarah yell, “Shoot! Grab it Krissa! Grab it!” 

I turned around to see my wife standing with one blue flip-flop on and its pair floating away down the river. Our friend, Krissa was holding onto a beam, reaching her leg out to try to rescue the runaway shoe. Oddly enough, I wasn't surprised. I have come to expect events like this from my beautiful wife, I guess it’s what makes life exciting. 

We made it to the end of the bridge, where a ladder stood leading up into a house, literally under the bridge. Several families had placed boards and cardboard along the beams of the concrete bridges, and that is what they called home. 

What do they do to make sure there house doesn't flood and their family doesn't drown when the river rises? Pray. Besides that, there is not much you really could do. We talked to the mother, father and their three children for a bit, prayed with them, and gave them a sack of food before leaving. 

We were able to give out five food bags to different people in that area today, and had a wonderful time doing it.

We were reading Katie Davis’ blog yesterday, a missionary in Uganda, and she spoke of having kids following her everywhere she went, yelling “Auntie Katie! Auntie Katie!” I commented that I would love for that to happen to us whenever we went out, and Sarah replied that we could have that, we just needed to get out more. Most of the work we have done here in Navotas has been organized, but this last week we have started just walking around, giving out food, or just talking to people. It has been amazing and I wish we had stared earlier. I’m realizing more and more that you don’t need to bring 50 sacks of food and a whole team to witness, in fact you don’t need to give anything but Jesus’ love.

Sarah and I will be returning to Boise on March 13, and I have very mixed feelings about this. I love it here, but also know that it will be better to have the baby in the US, and we can raise more funds and come back (if it’s God’s will) more prepared and excited than ever. But it is sad, because we are just starting to “fit in” and just starting to understand the culture and language. We are planning on returning after the baby is born, but we know God may lead us in other directions. As we've lived away from the US, we have seen (like never before) the need for Christ inside the US, our hearts are being pulled by both sides of the world (literally). But even as uncertainty rises, my faith and confidence in my Savior rises higher. I know that my God who paved the way for us to come here to begin with, will continue to pave the way for us. And I am learning (slowly) to be content with wherever He leads.  

Little kitten sleeping on the bridge

Sarah and Ate Krissa (pronounced Kree-zah)

One of the homes that is alongside of the river. Yes, a family truly does live on there. 

A wooden scooter made out of salvaged scrap wood 

Another one of the homes alongside the river

One of the families from church lives just beyond (next lot) this lot in a tiny house

A bridge made out of odds and ends

The home of one of the men we met down near the river today in Malabon City. Both he and his cousin live there. They have lived there since the year 2000 and previously had lived directly under the bridge until they were flooded out.  

The homes under the bridge. The ladders lead up to little lofts that house families. 

Inside one of the homes. The ceiling was only tall enough to sit. It was about as big (length and width wise) as a minivan and housed a couple and their 3 children (ages 8, 10, and 11)

Prayers for the husband. He is sick (flu like symptoms), has a running fever and a severe pain on his left side. He believes it is his kidneys. He collects trash and sells it as a source of income for his family but has been unable to work. 

Walking back

One of the little ones that lives under the bridge

One of the children who lives under the bridge. Their family washes clothes to earn money, she is 11 years old.