Philippines 2010: Day Nine: Payatas

Hello! Jill and I have probably had the most memorable 24 hours ever! Yesterday, Saturday afternoon we went to the mall to get clothes for the wedding (we will get to that), and while we were there Jill was on the escalator when a girl preceded to have what appeared to be a seizure and fell on her. It turned out the girl with two other women targeted Jill and was able to steal money out of her purse. Julius and I chased down the girl who had the "seizure", at that point we did not know she was working with accomplices. We caught her and the security guards took her to their office. They grilled her, and she slowly admitted that she did steal the money. They advised us to report her to the police, so we escorted her across down to the station! So we had a stranger in our custody, a citizens arrest - this is not America, baby! So we spent several hours at that police station, and left Rika at the police station for the night. This morning we went back to see if anyone had come for her, and to wait for social services. While we were there her mother and aunt came, and all three women were every emotional, as the detectives and social services interviewed her and filled out reports. However, the best part about this story is that we were given an amazing opportunity to witness to the family. Julius presented the gospel, and Rika's aunt was visibly shaken by his words. Rika and her family are from an area close to Payatas, and they are extremely poor. After the processing was complete, she was released, and we took her family for lunch and got them rice and bananas to take home as well. The family was so appreciative, and for the first time showed real remorse, and emotion. We believe that God had put this girl and this situation in our path, and it was a rare but wonderful opportunity to try and show the love, grace, and truth of Christ.
This morning, Sunday, we missed church because of the unexpected events, but we experienced one of the most amazing worship "services" ever. Evelyn reminded us of John 5 where Christ is persecuted for healing on the Sabbath. John 5:15-17: The man went away and told the Jews that it is was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." It it immediately hit Jill and I that of course God is working, and the way we schedule our lives, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute in America, we can often can miss out on what God could have for us.
Now, this day takes a every dramatic turn. Earlier this week we were asked to be the God parents of Julie Ann Guiterrez and Godjell Quinones, who were married today. They asked if we would be that for them, and we said yes, and today Jill and I were way-to-much-center-stage in a beautiful Filipino wedding! We were honored, and deeply touched, and we have assumed a lifetime of responsibility for a beautiful young couple who both know and love Jesus!