Port of Davao City, Tuesday, September 16, 8:07 PM I can speak of places far away and of the people who live there and you would likely think it to be something of a fantasy. But having been to such places and knowing the people of whom I speak, I can assure you it not fantasy and neither is it the exaggerated stuff of a literary mind, for this is real, as God witnesses. These are the people who live on the edge quite literally, in just about every way possible. Their homes are dug into the ground near the sea at the very edge of the islands where they live. Their lives are eked out day by day on the absolute edge of survival. Their futures border on the edge of extinction. Their souls have reached the edge of hope. How many more descriptions need I give to help you understand that not everyone in the world is the same as most who read this rambling of mine? Children live at the edge of all that could be but will likely never become because they lack education and in so many cases, even the proper nourishment that sustains bright and teachable minds. And the cycle builds upon itself, generation after generation and there are few who ever break free of it. Now you may think it strange of me and even farfetched or downright bizarre, but I see ways that this can be different. And I am not so naive as to think that change can come broadly and rapidly or at little cost. The fact is that much time is taken to develop sorry traditions and much time, then will be needed to alter them. But I want to try something. And here is what you will think to be just too far out---I want to build a village in the place where one already exists but altogether new. The starting place is with the change element that brings the most dramatic revolution imaginable---the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That must be foremost for without Christ in the heart, all effort of change is no more than a bandaid on a gushing wound. With Christ, however, the foundation is set and building upon it is worthy. There are likeminded souls who see the possibilities of village development---a church, a school, proper housing, a clinic, gardens, a market, livestock, fishing---a sustainable place to call home...and you may be one such of like mind. The truest sense of Christian witness goes far beyond only the things that are spoken or done for the moment. And what I am suggesting to all of us here is that we go beyond. It is logistically possible for us now. Planning is needed. Expertise will be called forth. Commitment to reaching for the goal and determination to see it though are what remain. Please pray... Remote Island Ministries ---Reaching people on the edge! God bless you all. I am praying for you! I will post again...
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:57:06 +0000
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