Day 14 - Thursdays 15th June - Farewell Richard

Well today was the day that Richard ended his time here in the Philippines. It's amazing how quickly these past two weeks have gone. We headed to the church again in the morning to listen to Pastor Tripps seminar again until around 11.30. Then we had some lunch and headed off to the airport with Richard. Unfortunately we were only able to stay with him for 2 mins as the parking guard wanted us to move. However we were not allowed in the terminal so it didn't really matter. He had to be there 3 hours before his flight. Then we headed back to the church for a final half hour of Pastor Tripps seminar. Afterwards there was a church meeting regarding the conference this Saturday where it seems Becci & I will be involved with the registration and also being ushers. Good thing they all will speak english. After the meeting we headed to the CCM office to check email before the drop in centre began at 6.30 again. We had our first trip in a tricycle which was fun. Its a small carriage attached to a motorbike which takes you around and can fit two people in it. As its so low to the floor you do feel a lot more bumps and pollution in your face but yet another fun ride and experience!

The drop in centre routine was the same as last week but numbers were low this evening. We had about 70 as supposed to the 110 last week. And it was soon related to us that the police and the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Agency) had put in a new rule - no street people are allowed to sleep in Cubao. If they are found they will be moved on, if they resist they will be arrested. Subsequently there were many sad tales to be told. The street people have absolutely nowhere to go. They cannot even go in the side streets and its too far to walk to the next town. Many, Pastor Ellis said, will go underground for a few days, hide under bridges and try and wait it out, until attitudes change. However this is supposedly the most inflexible rule yet and the police are showing no leeway. One man came in asking for painkillers as the police had beaten him up. Another regular at the drop in centre was in jail, for throwing a rock at one of the policemen when he fired his gun in the air to try and move the people on. Several are resisting so fights are breaking out. As we walked back that evening we say people waiting on concrete blocks to see if the police were gone and then perhaps they could try to get some sleep. Pastor Ellis's only comfort was that at least the police don't shoot them outright as they do in Mexico and Brazil, where street people often just dissapear. However since the police here carry guns, perhaps thats not too far away either.

The problem is that the authorities are trying to give the city a better image, particularly in light of the new posh mall. Shop keepers in particular want the street people gone as they are bad for business. And admitted some of the street people are into drugs, prostitution and theft. But the great majority are simply trying to survive on the streets with their families and aren't doing anything wrong. Please pray for the church here as they do not know how to advise these homeless people on the current situation. They want to help but also to keep within the law. Please pray that this law will be lifted or relaxed in the next few days. If it stays in place it puts the churches ministry to these people and the drop in centre itself in question.

Another sad event which we saw on our way home was a dreadful accident just near the children's home. A big articulated truck going down a hill had lost its brakes and crumpled into a motobike and the back of a jeepney, killing around 8 people. We didn't witness the event or the immediate aftermath but heard about it and saw the crushed vehicles later on. A sobering reminder that life can be taken from you so quickly, wherever you are. Therefore as Proverbs 3 5 says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Take care everyone. Luv Sarah