My heart broke as we walked through a Shanti town in Manila, Philippines. We were touring the ministry of several churches in Manila and we stumbled into this small slum area. We met some women who were making bracelets to earn money to feed their families. Directly across the street was another young woman who was 17 years old. Her mother had abandoned her and her two young brothers. With her father not known to her she became the one who had to care for these children both under age 5. With her prospects for a job very low she came to the conclusion she had to sell herself to feed herself and her brothers. I met her just a couple of weeks ago and she is 3 months pregnant. Life isn't fair. She was faced with an impossible situation and did all she could to care for her brothers.
My heart screamed to God that night in The Alliance Guest House. We have to be able to care for her and the many young women just like her. What can I do? I have to do something. This isn't a cause. It is an emergency. This issue now has a face and a name and a story...
Are we ready to fight for the people who can't fight for themselves? Are we ready to bring care and love and most importantly the hope of Jesus to those in need around the world? I know I am.
Short-Term Ministry in the Philippines begins in 2009. Our prayers need to start now.
The Alliance has several ministries in Manila to the people living in the slum areas. For further information on this project contact Matt Peace.
