Familiar in the Unfamiliar

A
week ago today I landed in a country I knew nothing about. Sure, it’s in Asia.
I think they used to be an American territory and they speak Filipino, right?
As I look around it’s pretty obvious to see that I’m far from home. There is
the staple restaurant, KFC, and a few McDonalds’, but Toto and I definitely aren’t in Kansas anymore.

In
spite of all the new surroundings, it didn’t take long for me to realize that
I’m actually in a familiar place. I’ve been to this place before. A place where
curious children stop what they are doing to sneak a peak and bravely say
“hello!” A place where even the street dogs can’t help but take a glance. I’m
in a place where I am the foreigner. My white skin and taller frame (at least
here) make me unlike all the rest. I’m back under the microscope,
but it’s a good place to be. The microscope is a great opportunity to carry a
constant smile and friendly “hellos” and “good mornings”. It’s amazing how a
few simple words and a smile can change everything.

As
I walk, the sound of the public transportation tricycle bikes (not cool enough to be considered motorcycles)
zip past…

 and the humorous sight of the other public transportation Jeepneys go by…

I also hear the familiar tunes of Celine Dion, Michael
Jackson and of course, JUSTIN BEIBER! Oh dear…  My best friend, the
rooster, crows obnoxiously all hours of the night. In the
community, I look up just in time to witness two little giggling boys standing
next to each other as they pee off the third floor of the building. I couldn’t
help but laugh right along with them. Boys will be boys.

There
is one familiar that I wish I wasn’t so familiar with though. This familiar I
want you to share with you so that you can see where my sense of urgency comes from.
This one tears at my heart and causes the passion that is inside me to erupt.
Let me share a quick story with you:

Saturday
I spent time at the “New Faith Family Children’s Home” with a missionary, Daisy, that
has been here in the Philippines for the better part of four years. It’s a
great facility, with the most adorable kids and where I will be spending a
large portion of my time. As we arrived back at the mission center, I noticed a little guy climbing up on the fence. He was filthy, his shorts were two
sizes too big and he was all by himself. Daisy called him over and began to
tell me his story as we walked in. “His name is Imon (e-mon) and he is five
years old. His mother is nowhere to be found and his dad works a long distance
away. During the week, you can find him wandering the streets all by himself.
We try our best to help him, but his father won’t let us adopt him.” At the age
of five, Imon is left to fend for himself. Five years old! Can you imagine? Knowing his situation all too well, Daisy led him to the kitchen to get him some food. When Daisy turned back to hand him some food, little Imon was at the trash can looking for food to eat…

In
the book “The Hole in Our Gospel”, by Richard Sterns, he takes a portion of
Matthew 25 and paraphrases it into our contemporary situation. The startling
part is the responses he has added to what Jesus says. Take a read:

“For
I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was 

thirsty, but you drank
bottled water. I was a stranger, and

you wanted me deported. I needed clothes,
but you needed 

more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out behaviors 

that led
to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was 

getting what I deserved.”

This
perspective that we take so easily (myself included) is very alarming. How we treat others, is how we treat Jesus. Matthew 25 concludes by
Jesus saying,

“Whatever
you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Please don’t miss the point here. This is not
a blog to discourage and say, “Tisk, tisk. We are so bad.” This blog is meant
to encourage. To encourage us to do what we are all called to do. To
encourage us to be doers (not mere knowers) so that others can eat, so that others can
drink, so that others are clothed.  So that every time we see the “least of these,” we see Jesus. And every time we get the
privilege to serve the “least of these” we know that we are serving the King. Amen.

    Tiyo Ryan (uncle ryan)