Generosity and Sacrifice in the Developing World

Last Sunday, the Pastor at my church in the Philippines asked me to share at the communion service that evening. For those reading this who may be unaware, communion is where Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, which is basically the pivotal event of our whole worldview. We eat bread to symbolise Jesus' body broken for us, and drink wine or juice to symbolise Jesus' blood that was poured out for us so that we can be made right with God for eternity.

I decided to speak about the idea of 'sacrifice.' I believe that true sacrifice is an uncomfortable and undesirable idea to most people, because it:

- Requires us to give something up
- Involves a cost, and it always hurts

People in the developed world, where I'm from, are not good at giving things up. We are obsessed with our "rights"; things we think are ours, and NO-ONE is going to take them away from us. Even Christians, people who confess to follow this guy called Jesus.

Well do you realise what HE gave up?

I will always remember a Christmas service at Werribee Baptist Church a couple of years ago. Undoubtedly there were many 'once-a-year' Christians there that day, who came along expecting a nice peace-and-goodwill message about the baby Jesus, but Pastor Jeff Benson launched into the incredibly impacting reality of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.

Jesus Christ left the comfort and perfection of eternal heaven. He entered the world through the womb of a woman, into poverty and infanticide. Because of His birth, His parents became refugees or asylum seekers in another country. Through His three years of travelling while telling people about the Kingdom of God, He had no permanent home and relied on the generosity and hospitality of others.

He was rejected and mocked by His own family. While He was popular with the masses, He also endured hunger, sorrow, pain, loneliness, betrayal, injustice and ultimately a criminal's death. Fortunately for us, the story didn't end there and through the power of God Jesus rose again and conquered death. 

Why did He do all that? For us. That is what we remember when we take communion. And when we talk about 'sacrifice,' He is the ultimate example. Now, the challenge for Christians is that we are not just supposed to applaud politely from the grandstand, but we are called to FOLLOW His example if we are truly His disciples:

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)



"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

C.T. Studd was an English missionary who gave up a large family inheritance as well as fame and fortune as a cricketer to follow God to India, China and Africa. He is attributed with this quote that has stuck with me ever since I heard it: "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."

That basically sums up my God-inspired adventure that has been the last seven years of Compassion sponsorship and travels. You probably already know the numbers:
- 54 kids financially sponsored in 26 countries
- 31 kids visited in 12 countries

It is fair to say, from a first-world perspective, I know a thing or two about sacrifice. Giving things up for the benefit of others. Comfort, security, safety, time, money. I literally gave up everything in a material sense to move to the Philippines and work in an orphanage this year. Yet it all pales into insignificance compared to what I've received in return. God has used the generosity and sacrifice of people in the developing world to consistently bring me to my knees in gratitude, and provide the closest earthly example of His sacrifice for us.

I want to share with you some examples of sacrifice which I have witnessed and been the beneficiary of in my Compassion travels. Just in case some people get the wrong idea, which has happened in the past, I am in no way blowing my own trumpet or saying that these things happened because of me or in honour of me. It is purely and simply a response to the love, mercy and grace of God. 
(Click on the pictures to enlarge them)



I visited Olga in Mexico in 2013. To earn money her father drives a motorized tricycle, and he spends most of his income paying it off. On this day he took us on a ride around the neighbourhood, which I knew cost him money which I did not repay. It was a sacrificial gift to me. I was told he also sometimes gives free rides to some of the kids from Olga's Compassion Project who have no other way of getting there.



This is the mother of Jacqueline from Ecuador, who I visited twice in 2013. To earn income she makes clothes, and her two selling days are Tuesday and Saturday. One of my visit days was on a Tuesday, but she stayed home rather than going to the market so that Jacqueline could have her special day with me. 

This boy in Brazil (who I did not even know) stepped out of his comfort zone in a huge way. He learned a few words of English and spoke in front of a large crowd just so he could present me with a gift on my birthday. 

This is the family of John Dave from the Philippines. His father works as a bodyguard for the city mayor. He normally works every day to provide for his family, but he took today off so he could spend it with me and his family

This is the father of Princess Joy from the Philippines. He earns money by getting the stuff out of coconuts, called copra, and selling it. When I visited, he climbed a coconut tree and got a couple down so I could eat and drink from them (below). While I was enjoying the snack, I realised I was eating and drinking their livelihood; their source of income. I accepted their generous sacrificial gift and enjoyed it very much.   

 

This gift was given to me by the family of John Dave. It is a glass cube with a model of a big tree and house in it. They had it made especially for me. It proved a slight headache trying to take it on planes and buses and may be difficult trying to take into Australia, but it was such a special gift and I know it was a sacrifice for them. 

This is what I call my "Table of Blessing," and includes all the gifts I've received on my Compassion travels.
Cards, letters, photos, posters, t-shirts, CDs, drink bottles, scarves, dolls, foam Australian flags, tablecloths, painted plaster guitars. All so precious and given with pure love.

Finally, I've chipped in with my own story of sacrifice. Throughout my life I owned and kept two special childhood toys. I received Yellow Ted when I was born 33 years ago, and Sam the dog joined the family when I was 6 and in hospital for tonsillitis. It has been a privilege (and a very hard decision) to give both of my cherished childhood toys to two of my Compassion kids in the last couple of years. 

In September 2012 I gave Sam to Ana Cristina from Brazil (below). She is a precious 14-year-old whose family has gone through an unimaginably hard time over the last three years (read more here). Last week I visited Princess Joy on my birthday (above), and decided to give her Yellow Ted.

It was not done as some nice, feel-good gesture. I told them that I want them to always remember how valuable they are to me, and to God. My hope and prayer is that during the hard times in their lives, they will hold Sam and Yellow Ted close and cling to the one true sacrifice: Jesus Christ giving His life for us so that we can be made right with God for eternity.  

 

Compassion Trip #6 (Philippines 2014): Visiting Princess Joy

Wednesday October 1^st, 2014
Once again, another big travel day was required in order to visit Princess Joy. Tuesday involved two flights and a long bus trip (that sounds familiar). The flights were fine, and at 4.00pm I arrived in Tacloban, which was at the center of one of the big typhoons in 2013.

The baggage guy took me to an unmarked taxi. I knew I should have refused, since they always charge more than the metered taxis, but I was tired so I just went with him. God was about to teach me another lesson. The driver quoted his price, which indeed was relatively steep. I was initially annoyed, but my attitude soon changed. He told me I was his first passenger for the day (at 4pm!), he lost his house in the typhoon and he has four kids at home. He told me about the high price of food and the conditions they live in.

I initially held on to my skepticism. Indeed, he could have been making some of it up for sympathy, but as he was talking I was looking out the window and the scene was still one of destruction and devastation, even months later. Little tin shacks were their ‘houses’, people were wandering around aimlessly, selling anything they could to get enough for food. The level of poverty I saw actually reminded of what I saw in Haiti when I visited in 2013, and is not something I will forget easily. No one here had a ‘sob story’, they were genuinely and legitimately suffering, nearly a year after the typhoon hit.

The driver got me to the bus terminal safely and I handed over his fare, with a different attitude than when we first met. The transport this time was not a great big comfy coach, but a little 14-seater van, and I found myself squashed between my luggage and a big lady in the back row. Most of the journey was completed in that eerie atmosphere created when there is sheets of lightning but no thunder or rain. About halfway through the trip we got a flat tyre, then of course it started to rain.

The trip ended up taking over five hours, and we arrived at the terminal at 10.45pm. A small mercy occurred when I asked the tricycle driver where my hotel was, and he pointed across the road! We had literally landed right across the road from my hotel, for which I was exceedingly thankful. I hit the hay pretty much straight away. I was ready and excited for the final child visit, Princess Joy on my birthday, Wednesday October 1^st.

Princess Joy is a beautiful 14-year old. I started sponsoring her in 2011, and she is now sponsored by my friend Dani Moore. I can honestly say that out of all my sponsored kids over the last few years, Princess’s letters were my favorite. They were always two pages long, honest, detailed and written in her developing English.

I met Princess and her mother in Manila in 2013, but we did not really get the chance to talk much or get to know each other because we were always so busy on the day and I met three kids at once. Princess constantly mentioned her family’s poor financial state in her letters, so I really wanted to see her neighborhood and community for myself.

Princess Joy is one of seven kids. She is the fourth-born, smack bang in the middle. I was incredibly blessed to meet all seven siblings on this day. The oldest is JoJo. He is 25 and pumps gas at the local Petron gas station. He has a wife and a three-year-old boy, and his wife is studying Education at the local university. Next is Paul, who works for a local construction company. Third is Jhon, who works with JoJo at the gas station. Princess Joy is fourth in line and she is in eighth grade at the local high school. She wants to be a teacher. The younger three are Joselle (12), Lori (7) and Michael (5).

They live in the community of Maydolong, which is a good 40 minute tricycle ride from where I was staying in Borongan. I was picked up by Jimuel, the Project Director of PH862. The Project has been running for seven years and currently has 180 children, with a further quota of 60 additional 3-5 year olds in the near future. The communities of Borongan and Maydolong are right on the ocean, and were both greatly affected by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.

Today was not a Project activity day, so once we arrived at the Project I was serenaded by the Project staff (and Princess Joy) singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. I initially didn’t recognize Princess, as she had grown so much in 18 months. We shared a big hug and she cried quietly. I could tell it was going to be a special day for both of us.

We took a tour of the Project and I had a look at Princess’s student folder. Comprehensive records of each child are kept, including letters and gifts received, medical, educational, home visits, the child’s future goals and dreams. I showed her some pictures from her sponsor Dani, as well as some photos of the kids at Ruel.

The family’s home situation is complex, and I will try my best to explain it here. They own one home about two minutes away from the Project. They lived there for about 20 years, and currently the oldest son JoJo lives there with his wife and three year old boy. The rest of them live out on a ‘farm,’ which is about a five-minute motorbike ride away. It is where Princess’s parents both work. They grow, buy and sell copra, which is found in coconuts.     

I quickly sensed God’s hand of provision and blessing on this family, despite their simple circumstances. All the family members who work are employed by a relative; he was described as the second cousin of Princess’s father. This same person owns the Petron gas station where the older boys work, as well as the farm where the parents work and the family also lives. So, thanks to this one relative the family have jobs as well as a place to live.
 
The house on the farm is basically a one-room open shelter with few facilities or amenities, but they seem content there. From what I could see there was no electricity, and they had to fetch their water for washing and cooking. The house on the farm was completely destroyed during Typhoon Haiyan, but the owner had it rebuilt as soon as he could. While the house was rebuilt, they stayed in a building next to the Petron gas station.

We were able to visit the house as well as the farm, and had some enjoyable conversations. They were all easy to talk to, and there were lots of kids to interact with and make funny faces at. Princess’s father climbed a coconut tree and got a couple down just for me. The glass of juice I drank was humbling because I knew those coconuts are their livelihood, so it was a sacrifice for them.

While we were at the house on the farm, I gave Princess a very special gift. After giving my toy dog Sam to my sponsored child Ana Cristina in 2012, the last remaining soft toy from my childhood was Yellow Ted, who I had since I was born and he was very precious to me. I made the decision a couple of weeks before the visit to give him to Princess Joy, as a symbol of how much I love her and also how much God loves her. The night before visiting Princess Joy I actually had second thoughts, but only for a moment. Yellow Ted had been such an integral part of my childhood and my life to that point. Could I really give him away? In the end the answer was ‘yes’, and I know that along with her three younger siblings they will take good care of my teddy bear.  

For our last activity in Maydolong, we popped into the Petron gas station where Jhon, the third oldest son, was working. We had a short, friendly conversation and then along came Paul, on a break from his construction job. I never imagined that with such a big family I would be able to meet all the family members. It was very special, and I know God provided it for us.

Then it was time to head into Borongan for lunch. Along for the ride were Jimuel, Princess, her mother, her Project worker and her little brother Michael, who was overwhelmed out of his brains. He is five, but wouldn’t even feed himself at lunch. His mum had to, and for the first ten minutes he wouldn’t even open his mouth. Thankfully, by the end of the day he had warmed up. In hindsight I’m not sure why the two younger sisters missed out, and if I had my time again I would have invited them along as well.  

Princess told me her favorite food is spaghetti, and we ended up at ‘Chicken Haus’ where she was able to indulge in this wondrous meal. Next up was shopping. Her sponsor Dani had given a small monetary gift for the family to buy some groceries, and I chipped in to buy the kids one present each, since I had not brought any with me. The kids gift amount was equivalent to $25. Her mother bought a present each for the younger three and, being a teenage girl, Princess went to a few different shops before she was able to decide what she wanted.

To be honest I completely understood her indecisiveness over her sudden abundance of choice. The family had only ever window-shopped at this mall, and now she had a three-figure peso amount to spend on whatever she wanted. She looked at shoes, jewelry and clothes, but in the end she decided on that staple item of all teenage girls these days, a cellphone. She was very excited, and seeing the joy on her face alone was worth the expense (which was less than $20).

Jimuel asked my permission before they bought it, because he said a cellphone is not normally a ‘necessity’ item they would buy with sponsors birthday or Christmas gift money. Because I was there in person and it was my money, I was fine with it. I am trusting that it will not become a disruption or a distraction for Princess Joy in her studies or relating to her family. Maybe I’m being naïve?   

After the gifts and groceries at the mall I gave Princess a choice between going to a swimming pool or the beach, and she chose the beach. It’s interesting how attitudes towards beaches differ in the Philippines compared to Australia. In Australia beaches are more popular for day trips and because you can lie on the sand and tan your skin darker. In the Philippines people want to be whiter, so they stay out of the sun as much as possible. Also, the most popular beaches have cottages and hotels on them so people can stay for extended vacations.

The Borongan beach was completely deserted, even though it was a superb day with clear blue skies and the sun beating down. Princess and I, accompanied by Jimuel, headed out to the water. We stood in the shallows, letting the water wash over our feet. We kicked up mud and buried our feet in the sand. We talked about school, friends, television shows and creatures that live in the ocean. It was such a simple time, but Princess said it was her favorite part of the day.  

We finished off with ice creams back at the mall and then said our goodbyes. My final message to Princess was simple: “I love you, your sponsor Dani loves you, and most importantly God loves you. He is the one who brought us together. Please remember, no matter how hard your life gets, that God loves you and has a plan for your life.”

And thus ended another incredible birthday, the fourth one in the last six years I have spent visiting my Compassion kids. Devoting my life to giving to others is incredibly fulfilling, and for me there is no price tag you can put on it. At the end of my life I may not have much to my name materially, but through the sacrifices I have made I know I have helped create memories and experiences for many people and because of me they know the amazing love of God.

Enjoying her favourite food, spaghetti

Holding a photo of her sponsor Dani

Holding her child folder. This comprehensive record has detailed information about all aspects of each sponsored child's life: education, medical, letters and gifts, dreams for the future.

With Mama and the four youngest kids (there are three older brothers)

The Project - PH862

Supermarket shopping thanks to a monetary gift from Dani. They had only ever been able to window-shop at this mall.

The three youngest kids. That platform is where they sleep.

I made the decision to give Princess my treasured teddy bear which I'd had since I was born. It was to show her how valuable she is to me, and to God. I know with her three younger siblings, Yellow Ted will be well looked after.

The family makes money by getting the stuff out of coconuts, called copra, and selling it. So here I was actually drinking their livelihood. I accepted their sacrificial gift with gratitude, and it was delicious.

I bought Princess her very first cellphone! (with Mama's permission of course). I may be naïve, but I'm going to trust that it doesn't interfere with her studies or relationships

Her classroom at the Project.

With her three older brothers. Two of them pump gas at the local Petron gas station, and one of them works in construction

Her father chopping up a coconut

Being wacky with Yellow Ted

I gave Princess the choice of going to a swimming pool or the beach, and she chose the beach. It was such a simple time. We talked and let the waves wash over our feet, but she said it was her favourite part of the day. 

When Compassion kids turn 12, they all complete a Project called "My Plan For Tomorrow." This is where they think about their future goals and dreams, and Compassion helps them achieve. Princess wants to be a teacher.  

This is Princess's youngest brother. He came with us to Borongan, and was shy and overwhelmed out of his brain! Mama even had to feed him at lunchtime and he wouldn't open his mouth. Fortunately by the end of the day when it was time for ice cream, he started to relax

The farm house where they live and work

Princess's oldest brother with his three year old son