Philippines 2010: Day Fourteen: Payatas

Hi! Its Jason and i am feeling much better! Thank you all for your prayers! I am still a little weak, and still have some muscle soreness, but i am not complaining. Today was a very hard day though. Jill and i visited Malinta on the other side of metro Manila. It is an extremely depressed area only containing filthy shacks that are built right on years of flatten garbage... There is absolutely no infrastructure, no schools, no jobs, and little else but people, shacks and trash... The same feeding program, Project Matthew, also has a program there and missionaries from Payatas go there several times a week to help minister, lead bible studies, and train disciples. Up to this point none of the pastors live in this area, it is just to depressed. Each day is getting harder for Jill and I as we become worn down, exhausted on so many levels. But God continues to be faithful and carrying us through each minute, as He has all of our days... Jill and I were talking about how much more we have seen God here. We realized that it is not because He is actually more present, but because we are so much more aware of our needs, and dependence on Him. Jill and I are realizing the things we cling to at home that we have made our idols (our schedules, our house, our stuff, etc.), serving as subtle, but functional gods. Our prayer is that we would always remember the way that God has broken our hearts here, and that we would cling to Him and his word the way we have here. We want you guys to hold us accountable when we get home and start complaining and losing sight of the big picture that is eternity (i do not have to worry about my men's group--they all seem to have that gift of discernment... ;-). We are continually thankful for our time here and all that we have seen. Early in our stay Jill gave a great talk about the differences between trials and temptations, and that has been so helpful to recognize as are continually stretched to see the trial that is from God for our sanctification and purification, as we continue on the journey towards Eternity with our creator... Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.