92 –
“On the Way Home” Project.
Lay people throughout the ages have always
played an important role in the church in the spreading of the gospel and
caring for suffering humanity. They are moved with compassion and long to bless
others. They initiate programmes that bring people to Christ. Many of our Corps
(churches) in the Philippines were started by enthusiastic Salvationists who
when moved to a new area would get their neighbours into their homes to start a
meeting – perhaps first with children in the form of Sunday School, women’s
meeting, or what we call a cell group or even a social gathering.
In the last chapter, I wrote about
Joyville. Now I want to trace back to the genesis of this programme with street
children. The members of the Corps Council of Manila Central Corps in one of
their meetings suggested to their pastor that they would like to do something
for the poor unfortunate children in the streets in their neighbourhood. So
they collected funds among their own members of the Church. They arranged
jumble sales and the ladies made cakes to sell to raise funds for the Programme
called “On the way Home”
The matter then
was referred to Territorial Headquarters for the blessing and support of the
leaders. They received immediate positive response and practical support.
In the evenings
during the colder or wet season, they had “operation lugar” (“hot porridge
distribution”) to feed the hungry children in the neighbourhood. They even
invited the street kids indoors to sleep in the hall.
Later as the work expanded the Army
received help from World Vision and Hong Kong Oxfam. President Mrs. Cory Aquino
came to know about our programme and she herself took a special interest and
contributed to our new venture. In fact at the Candle Vigil for the Rights of
Children observed in the Philippines
The word of God tells us “Then some
children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray;
and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the
children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these." After laying His hands on them, He
departed from there. Matthew 19: 13-15
