Jolley

My day certainly started off different from the rest of the team. The team for the first time spent the entire night at the orphanage. The hearts and attitudes are much like Christ's; it appears they cannot give enough or serve enough. Their minds are set on service and giving to the filipinos and to the success of WHY (Wesley Home for Youth). Wouldn't you know that their night would not be complete without a few spiders to greet them, a few lizards and a black out.

They woke up early around 5:30 anxious to get all of the renovations complete. Each team member took on different projects that best utilized their skills. Many were still doing manual labor of elecrician work, completing the bamboo fence, preparing the food, completing the paint work; each member investing their hearts and soul into what is to come.

I woke up still in alot of pain; my foot was just not right; so I went to the hospital and where I had been eatting so much soy sauce and fish; at the ripe old age of 35 has successfully achieved gout. Anyone that has arthritis or known someone with it...when it is enflamed (sp?) you know how much joy that is. So, I personally didn't get to the orphanage until 2pm. Once there, I left 30 minutes later. It was time to go and get the families. We rented a jeepney and put the rest in two cars. Over 12 families were headed to see their new home. They arrived to be greeted with a large meal of hot dogs, hamburgers and spaghetti. The families all gathered around the tables to eat like most if not all have never eatten before. Time would fail me to share each of their stories. Most if not all were large families with too many kids. All of the parents having come to the realization that they cannot provide for their child. Many of them have already been on the streets begging, hoping to get something to eat for the day b/c they had gone without food for days. This placed symbolized hope for these families; it symbolized a better tomorrow; the parents were all smiling realizing how their one child may live and that the place that they were at may also help their other kids from being put out on the streets as well.

Jolley was with an extended realitive. He is 9. His dad was killed several years ago and his mother could not provide for him. Jolley has been living on the streets and begging for years. Exposed to all of the elements that we have discussed; drugs, prostitution, hunger and abuse. Jolley came with his backpack; eager to never go back to the world as he has known it. With a big smile he ate and ate and ate; he played with different team members. As the team was finishing the day we took several hours to plan our week. As we were discussing friday and working with the street kids at the dumpsite; there laid Jolley. Silent, taking pictures of team members, playing on Kim's phone, in a home... a home... something that he has never truly known in his life. As we talked about getting shoes and supplies for street kids; there was Jolley, experiencing his first clean couch, a new bed, a new life; As we talked about giving to kids that we have never met; to families that we will never see again; there laid our newest and first member of our family. A boy who we will help form spiritually, mentally, emotionally and intellectually. There laid a boy who has been victimized in everyway possible that through the grace of God may be able to attend college. We will joyfully give our band-aids on Friday; but we were sitting in a building, next to a boy that we would have visited on Friday who we will love and get to know for the rest of his life. We were sitting in the solution that God provided looking right into the eyes of the question feeling humbled that HE allowed us to be part of the answer. I can't wait to see all that God will do through him. I cannot wait to see what God will do through the orphanage. All that we have been working for ... all that I had been dreaming of for over 9 years... sat across from me silent; with a huge smile on his face; feeling loved and safe for the first time in his life. All of our sacrifices, all of the worry, all of the time spent in preparation...was all worth it....by Friday there will be at least 12 more Jolley's sitting there; playing there.....what an amazing God we serve. God has used so many people in so many ways to make this happen. From prayer, financial support, to coming to see the kids; and God from the beginning had it all planned; He knew how He was going to use each one of us for that moment to happen. To Him be all the glory and praise.

Grace,

Dustin