Matt
Maddix and Travis
Worthington were in the Philippines preaching the North Western Luzon Youth Camp, where they had over 200
receive the Holy Ghost for the first time. It was a
legitimate blowout.
They had street marches, and all the stuff normally
associated with Matt's ministry. Of course, they have been invited back, only this time they think they will be ready for him.
We all went back to Manila Friday night and so when the camps were over, that Saturday we picked up Travis and Matt from their hotel and was going to offer them a bite to eat, and another plan. A plan we were sure Matt would go for.
"We can go to eat at Chili's or California Pizza Kitchen, or something else." Matt had at first said he was hungry, but the idea of having a mysterious option seemed to intrigue him.
"What is the other plan?"
I told him that Brenda and I would like to return to one of our favorite places in the city,
Tondo, near Smokey Mountain, one of the most infamous concentrations of abject poverty in all of Asia. We have found these to be some of the most engaging, industrious, and resourceful people in the country. And we are determined to help as many of them as we can.
Matt jumped at the idea of going into this area and
immediately lost his
appetite for food. "This is much bigger here!" I have heard people say
Tondo is dangerous for people like us, but then we have also heard that the people in
Tondo who may wish us harm are kept in check by the decent and moral leaders of that ragamuffin community. The real word is that in Filipino culture, a guest is to be fed, protected and entertained before the other members of the house.
We ran into this articulate, intelligent young
person, who let us know that he had attended our youth camp two days ago. Someone had gone into this very depressed area and invited him and then had paid his expenses. I don't know who did it, but I pray that God blesses that generous soul beyond measure.
Listen to the song he sings, then listen to the song next to the previous blog.
Kensie has never been to the Philippines yet she is making an impact over here already. In fact, she has never left the United States, but has ambition, goals and dreams that will carry her wherever she wants to go.
