Cora Healey traveled to the Philippines this summer, with AIM’s Ambassador program. They got the opportunity to work in slums of Manila and she shares some of her experience below.
Our team had the opportunity to go with Cebu City Alliance Church (CCAC)
to feed and teach a Bible story to a group of children in a village in
the city. Once we were done teaching, the kids lined up to be served
food and I stood off to the side to watch.
to feed and teach a Bible story to a group of children in a village in
the city. Once we were done teaching, the kids lined up to be served
food and I stood off to the side to watch.
There was a little girl
kneeling down in the dirt next to me and I knelt down and attempted to
ask her what her name was. During the story I had been leading one of
the songs, and whenever I looked at her she would smile but she didn’t
really participate in the hand motions. When I asked her what her name
was it became clear to me she didn’t understand English.
kneeling down in the dirt next to me and I knelt down and attempted to
ask her what her name was. During the story I had been leading one of
the songs, and whenever I looked at her she would smile but she didn’t
really participate in the hand motions. When I asked her what her name
was it became clear to me she didn’t understand English.
I asked our
host and translator, Ruben, to come over and help me communicate with
her. I found out her name was Mariel and she was four years old. I
realized she didn’t have a bowl and would be unable to eat. I had Ruben
ask her if she wasn’t hungry, and she responded she was going to eat at
home. Later we asked her where she lived and her response was,
“everywhere”.
host and translator, Ruben, to come over and help me communicate with
her. I found out her name was Mariel and she was four years old. I
realized she didn’t have a bowl and would be unable to eat. I had Ruben
ask her if she wasn’t hungry, and she responded she was going to eat at
home. Later we asked her where she lived and her response was,
“everywhere”.
A few minutes later I pointed in the general direction of her face and
said, “Gwapa ka,” which in Cebuano means, “You are beautiful.” She
turned and asked Ruben, “My hair is beautiful?” and I asked Ruben to
tell her “No, everything” and I motioned with my hands to her entire
face so she would understand. As soon as Ruben translated for me, Mariel
looked back at me, smiled shyly, and let out a little laugh. Ruben
turned to me after this exchange and said, “That is probably the first
time anyone has ever told her she is beautiful.”
said, “Gwapa ka,” which in Cebuano means, “You are beautiful.” She
turned and asked Ruben, “My hair is beautiful?” and I asked Ruben to
tell her “No, everything” and I motioned with my hands to her entire
face so she would understand. As soon as Ruben translated for me, Mariel
looked back at me, smiled shyly, and let out a little laugh. Ruben
turned to me after this exchange and said, “That is probably the first
time anyone has ever told her she is beautiful.”
After that exchange between Mariel and I, she stood behind my skirt and wanted to play with me. When it was time for us to leave our first feeding site to go on to the next, she let me pick her up and hug her and then she held my hand and led me into another alleyway.
My exchange with Mariel is one I will never forget, and my new favorite saying for all the little Filipino girls is “Gwapa ka”, who knows if they’ve ever heard it or when the next person will tell them. It’s such a blessing to have the opportunity to love on these kids and shine truth and light into their hearts. My prayer is that they will turn to Jesus to be loved and not end up looking for love in the people and things in this world.
You can read the full story here.
You can also Choose Your Adventure.
Participant Login
Donor Login