Here is an update Dad wrote:
April was
an attractive girl who introduced herself to us when we were setting up for the
Health Expo in Barrio Obrero. She had grown up too fast for her age, and
although only sixteen, she carried herself like a “twenty-something” intent on
being attractive to the opposite sex. Beneath the bold forwardness of her
conduct however, was the young tender heart of a child, and an openness to the
leadings of God’s Holy Spirit. Although she looked like an adult in many
ways, April chose to attend our children’s program.
During the
Barrio Obrero evangelistic series, part of our students worked with us in the
adult meetings, and part helped in the children’s meetings. Sandra and
Teresa lead out in an evangelistic series tailored just for children, conducted
in a large room behind the main hall. Because Barrio Obrero is a
“low-class” area, most of the nearly 100 children who showed up were “street
kids.” These were children who spent most of their life on the streets of
the district, playing and getting into mischief. They were used to
getting yelled at, both at home and on the street. Most were dirty, loud,
and unruly. Home for many of them, was a place to avoid except at
mealtime and when sleeping.
During the
first couple nights in the children’s meetings, it was nearly impossible to get
a group of that size and character under control. The noise in the room
was almost deafening. The PAFCOE students were assigned to various groups
of children to help keep order. However, the students were reluctant to
get too close to the children. These kids had lice; they were dirty, and
some had sores on their bodies.
Sandra,
decided that rather than being the program’s “police-woman” she would try a
different approach. What these “street-kids” needed was LOVE. Most
received none at home, and hardly knew what real affection was.
On the
third day of the meetings, Sandra and Teresa decided to lead the PAFCOE
students by example, and sit in the middle of a group of children.
Accordingly, when they were not leading out with a part of the program, Sandra
and Teresa took a group of children (each child was assigned to sit in a group
when they registered for the program), and sat down in the middle of
them. The most misbehaved children they would put their arm around and
have sit beside them or on their lap. The PAFCOE student helpers followed
suit, sitting in the middle of their groups, with an arm around one or two
children and often one on their lap.
The effect
was almost magical! These children were craving affection, and to be able
to sit beside a “teacher” with the teacher’s arm around them, or on the
teacher’s lap, was a prized experience. It had a calming effect upon the
entire group. Never mind that we had to use the “lice comb” every day to
make sure we didn’t receive the crawling itch! Our students quickly
became “big brother” or “sister” to children who were starving for love, and
bonds of friendship were established that will last for eternity.
April is an
example. Ever ready to help where needed, April was an asset in
children’s program at the beginning. The street children all seemed to
know her, and since her father was the local policemen, April commanded a
certain respect among them. Not only did she help where she could, she
absorbed the truths of the Bible that had been simplified for the
children.
 |
| April in her baptismal robe with a little friend. |
April never
missed a night, and when the call was made for children and youth to make a
decision for baptism, she was the oldest of the children to make a
commitment. She was baptized with our group at the end of the Barrio
Obrero series, and several weeks later, her mother was baptized too.
Praise the Lord!
In every
seminar that we conduct, many children from the children’s program make their
decision for Christ. Those that are able get baptized, but many are
unable to get permission from their parents. These must wait till they
are “of age,” but the seeds of truth have been planted, and will continue to
grow in their hearts.
Currently,
we are in Manila ready to open a new PAFCOE school here. The school in
Iloilo is continuing under local leadership, and has been accepted as the
official evangelism school of the local conference. Praise the Lord!
We continue
to solicit your prayers and support for both schools. There are many
students who wish to join one of the programs, but lack the funds for tuition.
To all our supporters and prayer partners we extend our warmest Asian
appreciation—“Thank you kindly!” In Tagalog, “Salamat!”
Your
friends,
Pastor
Lowell & family & the PAFCOE staff
