Tuesday, May 27. Manila North Cemetery (Metro Manila)
Ashlyn Pope, take it away…
Today was another travel day for our team! We loaded the L300, a travel vehicle more durable for large items, and the team separated into two 15-passenger vans. Some of the members of the church rode along with us and helped with loading and unloading the luggage, which was a huge help! We said goodbye one last time to the two members of GCBC and to the amazing experience that God had given us for our first stop. Our next stop was Manila, the capital of the Philippines located on the island of Luzon. Once we arrived, we noticed the substantial amount of traffic. Pastor Lito Avila, his very kind wife and daughter (who will be attending Pensacola Christian College this Fall), Pastor JR (our videographer), and Pastor Tim Avila all met us at the airport to help load luggage and transport us to one of the Mall of Asia–one of the five largest malls in the world! We each enjoyed looking at the different cultural clothing and foods they had to offer there, as well as recognizing some popular American stores. While we were there, several of the team members mentioned that they felt the 3.1 magnitude earthquake that struck right around lunch time …just another day in the land of the Philippines! :0)
We had lunch all together at the mall, where Pastor Tim was able to explain his amazing ministry in the Manila cemetery. He explained that he had been working with the families and children for almost 14 years! He and some helpers bring teaching supplies to the children and teach them basic courses, because without an education, the people cannot work. As Pastor Tim told us,” American poor is very different from the poor in the Philippines- in Manila, they have no choice.” After having lunch, the Fulfers were finally able to join the team! We were all excited to see each of them and thankful that they were able to make it here safely! We all loaded onto the bus to travel to the cemetery.
As we were driving there, I don’t think I realized how surreal this experience would be. Unlike most cemeteries in America, this one covered over 130 acres in the heart of the city. Many of the graves were covered by stone or marble buildings, almost imitating a “home” for the people’s loved ones in the afterlife. The only tombs that were not inhabited were those of the rich and famous of Manila, such as the previous president and many mayors. As we rode up to the street we would be staying on, I saw many people sitting on the porches of the tombs and the children running near the van, most likely confused of who we were. Most of the gates in front of the tombs were broken into so that the people would have somewhere to live. The children that I helped with ranged from the ages of 1-7 years old. We gathered in a very large room, with cold tile flooring and an enclosed grave in the middle. The children just wanted to be held and talked to; one girl I tried talking to was very shy at first. But I held my hand out and she held it and would not let go. She eventually warmed up to me and started smiling and even wrapped around my arm. The apparent need of a deeper connection with the children proves that man is not what was needed there today- it was Jesus Christ. We were able to feed as many of the children as we could, with a little meal of rice and some meat. To see a living, breathing soul walking and living among the dead was a very surreal scene. It was hard to fully even comprehend that this is these children’s whole world – cracked tile floors, broken bars, large graves and little to no food or water. I’m truly grateful to have been used if the Lord to love on these children. The fact that struck me the most was that those two hours was the only time I will ever see that precious girl in my life. And in reality, I will forever ask myself, “ Did I show her Jesus? Did I do enough? Is she ok?” Today is a day I will never forget. After the cemetery, we were able to meet with the Tulabots (Dr. Arvin, Dr. Ruth) and their church family and prepare our lessons and songs for the upcoming VBS! Our prayer is that the weather will be good and that 1,000 children will attend both days! Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we are striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the Philippines!
