No Thanks, I'd Rather Starve

My heart is still heavy this morning for two boys I met in town yesterday. Brian (who claims to be 12, but looks and acts more like he's only about 8!) approached me begging on the main street downtown. This is a common, daily occurrence; and something you generally learn to ignore. Now, for those of you who have never experienced that, lest you think I'm being hard, I should explain that many of these children are working for someone. They do NOT receive the money they collect, but a small meal or a few pesos for their work. A few pesos is usually just enough for them to buy "glue" to sniff, which keeps them high enough to not face their reality.

This time was different for me. Brian was very dirty, his clothes were torn, he had no shoes on his feet. When I asked him where his mother was, he indicated she was in another province. I bought him a hot dog and used a local man to learn more about him. He has been sleeping in an abandoned building in town with some other boys, and is truly homeless and neglected. I asked if he would like to have a bed, good food, and go to school. As we spoke, his companion (a boy truly of 12 or 13) joined us. To my surprise, he asked me if I was Mrs. Piet and if I were talking about S.H.I.P. Foundation. I said "yes, how do you know about us?" It seems he is friends of another young man whom we tried to help, but who also preferred street life and ran away from our facility. (come to find out, he has a reputation for this in town, and even has a family in town, but wants the freedom of the streets)

Jericho (the older boy) convinced Brian that he should go with us to S.H.I.P., so both boys accompanied me on the rest of my errands. We bought Brian some flip-flops, then headed to S.H.I.P. where our social worker interviewed them both. They had some food, a shower, got a set of clean clothes, and were all smiles within the hour.

Upon interviewing them, we found out that Jericho has a grandmother nearby, and that Brian misses his mom. So Jovi (our social worker) planned to accompany them both to their respective homes. Since Brian's home is about 1 1/2 hours away, they proceeded to the bus station. On the way, he told Jovi how his dad is an alcoholic and that the last time he ran away his mother beat him so bad that his back hurt for several weeks. Jovi's plan was to make an assessment of the parents when they reached Brian's home before leaving him there. Once they got to town, Brian told Jovi that he needed to get a few things from his "quarters", so he went in and Jovi waited outside the building. After he didn't return for several minutes, she went in and asked around, only to find out that he had slipped out a small opening in the back of the building.

We were so sad that for whatever reason, he chose not to let us help him. Some of these kids have been through so much, and have even dealt with the system so much that they trust no one. Maybe he lied about his family's whereabouts, maybe he's scared to go home, maybe he just doesn't want to be told what to do. The truth is, some of them would rather have the freedom of street life, than to be disciplined...even if that means living without food and love.

Deep in my soul I know there has to be a way to reach these boys before it's too late. Your prayers keep us going, keep us focused, supply our needs and bring us wisdom. I will look for Brian every time I go to town, and I will try to convince him to give us a chance to show him true love.

I John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

Spiritual Warfare

I had a feeling I wouldn't be very good at keeping up with this regularly. There just never seems to be enough hours in a day to do it all! Three weeks here holds enough activity for three months, so I really need to work on keeping things a little more current!

SHIP moved into their new house...and this week we will move back into our old house! To try to make a long (though interesting) story short, the "administrator" of the subdivision was upset that we did not rent the house SHE showed us (therefore, she didn't receive any commission), so she decided she didn't want us living in the subdivision! Though she has no legal leg to stand on, she has "physical" power over the guards and board of directors, and has harassed us continuously since we moved in. She has gone so far as to not allow our moving trucks in, and to make us open the gate on our own (the guards are supposed to do it). The staff and children feel like they're living in a prison, and there is such an oppression there, that we have decided to just leave. Though we've done nothing wrong, and could file a legal case against her, the Lord keeps bringing to mind the verses of how Jesus was beaten, afflicted, and yet "he opened not his mouth".

On a personal note, just about the whole family (except Brock) had the flu 2 weeks ago. Thinking it could have been the H1N1, it spread fast, hit hard and we still have lingering symptoms...but who knows! The kids at the home seemed to pass it around after I started it, but I think everyone is on the mend now.

David (our oldest son) has decided NOT to go into the Air Force. That was quite a shock to us, and very disappointing. He's been set on this decision for several months now, and there's a million reasons why we believe it's the right choice for him; but he's 18 now...you know, the magical age when they suddenly know it all and have it all under control?!? He doesn't want to leave home (or his girlfriend) right now, so he's decided to go to the community college. I hope and pray that God has His way in his life, it's SO hard to non-parent from 8,000 miles away!!!

Luke...well, please pray for Luke! He's gone through some VERY difficult things in the last few weeks. He's had two very close friends suffer serious injuries. One of his best friends from childhood almost died in his presence last week, he lost his job (supposedly due to lack of business), and many other things are discouraging him right now. I know he's making some poor choices, and I fear for him...but we're at a loss for what to do. It's SO hard to parent from 8,000 miles away!!!

Well, I could go on and on about the 40 year old alcoholic who was living with us, the issues we've had with workers, issues with some of our teenage girls here, thievery, scandal...blah, blah, blah...but I won't bore you!

Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

I believe we're in a great spiritual battle. We are being accosted on every side, and some days it's hard to "just keep swimming". Please keep our family in your prayers that God will give us strength and wisdom. Please pray for protection for our children!

Living in the Moment

It's hard to write a blog about "living in the moment" when I can't! Too many moments pass too quickly, and too many things consume my mind at one time! Imagine being consumed with what is actually going on in your life right now. Not what happened yesterday, or may happen tomorrow; not what's going on somewhere else with someone else...but actually soaking in the moment that God has given you right now. Our stress level would be lower and I believe our memories would be better if we were actually focusing on the moment. I find myself meeting new people, shaking their hand, repeating their name and greeting them warmly...only to walk away and realize I probably wouldn't recognize them again if I ran into them in the store, much less know their name! Why? because as I'm "meeting" them, my mind is in a thousand different places, and I'm not really focused on what's at hand!

As I'm reading a book, I realize that my mind is on so many other things that I haven't even comprehended what I just read. In a relaxing moment, instead of soaking in the peaceful surroundings, I'm concerning myself with all the things that I need to be doing.

Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Things that are "true" must be real...not things that we fear, or things that we plan. Yes, we need to be prepared for the things that we know are going to happen; but I believe most of us need more balance. This is a problem for me, and I'm trying to train myself to focus a little more on the moment that God has given me.

Week "end" review

Wednesday brought about more change...an unexpected, "indefinite" house guest!  John is fervently and aggressively trying to disciple a new believer who is still struggling with severe alcoholism.  He has finally hit rock bottom...not a penny in his pocket, no true friends, and no place to sleep.  Those things are actually blessings in disguise, he just doesn't realize it yet.  He is a man who has been given amazing opportunities in life, met countless high-profile people, has traveled the world...but has NOTHING to show for it.  He has drank away his money, his relationships and his life.  He knows he needs God, and has believed unto salvation...but that doesn't make the cravings go away!  So, he's basically all but handcuffed to John and has been sober for 4 days now!  Please pray fervently for God to give him the victory over his flesh!  I've never seen anyone have to fight so hard!

Last year, shortly before we left, John had signed him and the 2 oldest boys up for a year's membership at a little gym nearby in order to get them out of the house and supplement their home-schooling P.E. curriculum.  When we then decided to leave, the gym graciously (and against policy) agreed to freeze all the memberships.  When John returned this week to activate his membership again, and tell them that the boys had not returned with us, they then asked him who would be using their memberships?!?  (the non-transferable ones!)  SO, guess who just joined the gym?  yippee?  I actually just prefer to walk...but with rainy season starting so early, and my ever-tugging busy schedule, I really have difficulty setting that time aside.  The older I get, the more I realize the need to be intentionally active for my health!

Thursday afternoon we had a very informative meeting with a lawyer whom we just met regarding the adoption process.  3 of our little ones have cases in the court, and because of a change in the law, we are petitioning the court to withdraw their cases and handle them according to the new law (which is supposed to expedite them!).  I feel such confidence that she really knows her stuff, and hopefully she can help us expedite the adoption of our babies in the future.  Of course, that's with mixed emotions!   You can't help but fall in love with these babies; but we know that ultimately they are best served in a home of their own, so we try our best to get them placed in good families as soon as possible!  

Friday evening, our best friends here, James and Jing took our family (of 5 now, remember!) out for dinner. We had such a nice time!  Afterwards we came back to our house for dessert and coffee and played some games. It's probably the most fun I've had since we've been back!  I can't wait 'til the kitchen is done and we can start having guests over more often!

"This is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."  My next post is about living in the moment!

Wednesday...the one day during the week that some of us missionary moms try to take time out to minister to our OWN kids!  Since the boys school is still on summer break, and the Filipino schools are already in session, it's been very relaxing to take all the kids to the pool about once a week!  We pack a picnic lunch, pile into vans, and take off down the mountain for the day.  It's about 45 minutes away, but worth the ride.  The scenery is beautiful, the weather's been perfect, and the kids love it!  

For those of you who have followed the progress of our kiddos in the home, we took Jev for a BERA (brainstem evoked response....something or other)test on Monday.  It basically sent a sound wave into the ear to see if there was any ability for the brain to hear sound.  We were a little disappointed to find that he truly is completely deaf, and can not be assisted with hearing aids.  We will now focus more on getting him more tutoring so that he can learn his sign language better.  I know God has a plan for this little guy...he is so lovable and charismatic!