more news from lola Leta

After the experience last Wednesday, of seeing young boys living in the detention centre like something out of a Dickensian novel , I felt moved to write down the images left in my mind

These are the forgotten boys,
Living their dark lives in dark cells
Dreaming of freedom
But freedom never comes
Hands stretching out through bars
For one brief moment, hoping to
Touch, to feel, to grasp
Another's hand.
In that brief touch
A spark of love is passed from
One to another
No words are needed
Eyes and hearts say it all..........

(Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jen and Mela and myself are going back ti the detention centre to pray with some of the young boys. Please pray for us and for the boys we shall be meeting, that God will be so presen t and that lives will be touched . These will be boys who have no family at all.
Such a privilege to do this and wonderful that a door has been opened for us to go in!)

the day following the detention centre visit We had a totally different experience when we went to the boys farm 2 hours drive away. It was a Garden of Eden experience. It was a lush plantation. As we arrived there was a young man up a tree about 70 metres high cutting fresh coconuts, the juice of which we drank! Most refreshing - not like coconut milk - it was watery, but very pleasant. We had a walk through the plantation and it is great that the boys have the responsibility of maintaining the plantation - when you realise that these boys were at one time living on the streets of Manila, and through the love and care of the Kanlungan homes , now have the resposibility for caring for God's creation, learning a trade and helping to make a living We then had a time of worship and then we each prayed for one of the boys.

Saturday was a lovely refreshing day when we went for a swim or in some cases, a splash with about 100 Kalungan children. Some very red faces afterwards as we hadn't realised the sun was as hot as it was!! Had a lovely picnic and then a time of worship in the park where the pool was. WE stood around in a circle - a big one, and one of the children chose someone to pray and then we start. I just LOVE this - the children just explode in their praise. We never have any words written, no music to play from, just someone on the guitar , me on the flute and we just go for it!!!! Very liberating. I have never witnessed praise like it. Heavenly
One of the things God is showing me (amongst many others) is just how much prayer is such a part of these childrens' lives and how much they place their trust in GOd's provision. Also that though they have so little they give out so much, content in whatever state they are in! One little boy promised to pray every day for me for something particular, and Sol said that he would do just that.......if he said he would, then he would - isn't that just wonderful?
One just stands back at the open heartedness and generosity of everyone in the Kalungan work

We had a wonderful afternoon today when we celebrated Liz' birthday(Mark's sister) She was showered with flowers and presents from the children and had to dance with every child!! Then it was our turn!! Mark (Herd) and myself trying to perform a cha-cha together was a sight to behold!! At the end, Liz was invited to sit on a chair in the centre of the room and everyone prayed out loud for her. So moving to hear children just praying with no inhibitions from children aged 7 - 16 years of age. I think we were all overcome somewhat. They have a lovely way of clapping after someone has prayed! Interesting to try that out at St John's!!!!
Will finish for the moment - be in touch soon Love Leta Thanks for your prayers and support it means so much!