The Twirling Girl

You couldn't tell from her smile
Couldn't see it in her twirl
But this tiny little child
Carried the weight of the world

I'll never forget the little twirling girl. She came to the centre everyday and found her place of identity, her taste of joy. When she picked up her hoop and began spinning, she wouldn't stop. On and on the hoop would twirl until some one called for her attention elsewhere.

We arrived home from the Philippines 4 days ago and that image has been playing on my mind. Poverty doesn't smack us in the face here as much in Australia but trauma and distress linger under the surface in all kinds of places. I used to work for the Salvation Army helping troubled people with their day to day lives. Sometimes people would take our offers of a place to live and sometimes the streets felt more familiar to them, safer somehow. I learnt that everyone had a story and never to assume a cause or solution to poverty.

The twirling girl had a 'home' - it was a covered space not even large enough to fit the sleeping family at night. She would sleep on the footpath beside her step-dad. He had issues with his temper. I didn't ask what other issues he had. I've heard so many stories over the past few months in Manila and I could feel overwhelmed if I dwelt on them too much. But I've decided that when I fall back into life in the developed world, I don't want to look at people without wondering about their story, without giving them a chance to reveal more than just their smile if they'll offer it. And I don't ever want to forget the twirling girl.

My Pasalubong

I took the opportunity to sit in one of Ken's classes last week. I was reminded that a lot of these students have travelled a long way, often from very poor areas, sometimes without their family's support, to become campus missionaries. Giving up well paying careers and relying on the support of those who catch their vision, they have come to BGC Manila for three months to prepare themselves for the mission ahead. These young people are laying down their lives to carry a message of hope and life to the next generation and they are already working hard to make sure they do it well.

16 years ago, I lived on a missionary ship that docked in Manila for a month. I had been playing with the homeless children that lived in the Port area when a young lady came up to me. She clearly had trouble walking but said she had travelled 3 hours to come and visit our ship. Long before the days of Uber, her trip would have involved multiple Tricycles and Jeepneys. She'd met missionaries from this ship in the past and knew it would be worth the trip. I invited her on board to shower, have a meal and take some blankets back to where she was sleeping in the Port area. Yes, she'd been sleeping along the pier.

What is it in the Filipino spirit that propels them to give up not just comforts but necessities to follow what they believe God has laid on their hearts?? If we could pack that into our case and take it home to Australia as Pasalubong (souveniers) imagine what our nation would look like...

This Trouble of Mine

I was feeling really generous yesterday. I pulled the kids away from the TV and out of their pyjamas, filled their water bottles and piled them into a taxi heading to the mall.

When we arrived, we went to buy movie tickets and while we waited I bought them icecreams. 10mins later one child said she didn't want hers so I took a few bites. The next child said she wanted it so I said "How about you take this one that's still covered in chocolate and I finish yours?" Then the meltdown happened. She wanted both.

The day before I had gone running past a little shack near our apartment. I had actually peeked inside to see if someone was home. It looked more like planks of wood piled at various angles than a house and I only saw one piece of furniture - a crate that doubled as a table.

That picture flashed through my mind as I stared at my furious child who has everything. I don't know how you teach children contentment, when adults don't even understand it. But I hope that one day as they encounter set-backs in their lives, they will remember the kids in grubby t-shirts who ask them for money. And they will shrug and say "This trouble of mine? This is not so bad."

Who Would Have Thought?

Celebrities fascinate me. I often wonder why they choose to endorse different ways of life or speak different messages to their fans. What leads some to support self-destroying lifestyles? There must be ridiculous amounts of pressure for celebs to reinforce the Girls, Gold and Glory leads to Happiness motto when it clearly does not. When a celebrity comes along who doesn't succumb to that pressure they really stand out. When an artist begins to flourish in their support of life-giving projects instead, you know something powerful is going on.

I remember first meeting Acel 18 months ago. Her senior pastor had invited us all out for dinner, as they were sending a mission team to us in Melbourne. I was blown away by both her and her husband's beautiful heart for people. When I found out later that she had left behind an award-winning band at the height of it's popularity and started a foundation for underprivileged children, I knew these were lives I wanted to watch and learn from.

Acel's story is truly full of Who Would Have Thought moments. It resonates with anyone who has chosen to Let go and Let God and knows the adventures that leads to. And it will inspire anyone who hasn't yet been on such a journey - it's there waiting for you! In fact, who would have thought I'd write, compose, produce, direct, film and edit my own music video? You never quite know what you're going to inspire in someone! Thanks Acel.