Radiant Sparrow

10/09/2013

So- the flip flops. Have I ever said what an incredible, loving, serving heart our Gio has? He can't help but to give what he has to those in need. It's a very special gift that Jon and I admire deeply in him. Yesterday was no exception, only Satan tried to disrupt Gio's generous act with greed. Here's the story- as I said in the other post, we put the flip flops/shoes in the car so we could readily hand them out. The area we live in has many homeless families and the ones near us often send their little children over to us (as we come and go) to beg for money, bread- etc. So yesterday, Gio went out to our car to get his book bag out and was quickly greeted by the adorable, desperate looking babies (they're 3 & 4 years old) looking for a handout. Knowing they needed shoes, Gio rummaged through the pile to find shoes that fit them. He measured their feet to the shoes and everything! When he came back in, he excitedly told us what he had done. WE ALL KNOW HOW GOOD IT FEELS TO GIVE!! So I looked out the window and saw that the mom was having trouble getting the shoes (sneakers) on her son. I (made the mistake) asked Gio to go back out and exchange them for a pair that fit him. When Gio went back to the car, word was out that he was handing out shoes and he got bum rushed by EVERYONE- old ladies, children and men. It really scared him, and fortunately our friends were there to help him get the car shut and locked without harm. He came in, sounding brave and unshaken, but I know he was upset. Later he told me he was scared 😔 Shortly after, there was a loud commotion outside which turned out to be two moms fist fighting because one said the other scared Gio away before she got shoes- Ackk! Poverty, oppression and hopelessness make for desperation. Gio is almost 10- double digits! as he's calling it- and I believe this was a good lesson for him, and us. For him to know that Satan cannot steal our joy if we don't allow him to and for Jon and I to remember that we cannot become complacent. We are in the midst of a Spiritual battle, and we should be on guard at all times! Would you all please pray for Gio, and his servant heart? That's his experiences, good & bad, will be used for God's Glory? 🙏❤

09/09/2013

09/09/2013

We received a balikbayan box from Kidzpoint- the children's ministry of Bridgepoint Church in Palm Harbor. They did a shoe drive and sent us sanilas- or flip flops! They are much needed here and we were excited to get busy handing them out. We decided to keep them in the car, so that when we saw a need we could meet it immediately. Well, don't you know our God does not delay?! At the first traffic light we stopped at Jon says- "quick! I see a boy without sanilas!" So the Jennings boys hustled to find a pair that might be the right size. They passed them off to me, and I made my way through the traffic- much like a game of Frogger- until I reached the boy and his Kuya (big brother) who were playing drums and singing in the street to earn money. The little guy was literally hopping from one foot to the other to keep the pain at bay from the hot asphalt under his little feet I don't think he could quite comprehend what was happening, as I approached with the new shoes hurriedly- he looked confused. The folks on the Jeepney in front of us encouraged him to wear the shoes. This sweet cutie now has shoes and we have full hearts thanks to kids (and parents) 9,000 miles away- who desired to fill a need and honor our LORD. Thank you, Kidzpoint!! With love, the Jennings Family

08/09/2013

Our last post was in May?? Really? Wow- the Philippines is like a time warp! Where has it gone?? We have been very busy- and still loving every minute here & enjoying watching God's work unfold before us. So many testimonies! He is good!!

23/05/2013

On our way to church on Sunday Sara saw these two boys passed out on top of each other in the middle of the side walk. She asked me to stop as we zoomed by and see if they are okay. I said " no bc if they are OD on drugs we will have to take them to the hospital and pay for them to be treated and we have no money" she replied " No, God will". Out of appeasing my wife bc I was focused on not being late to speak for church, I turned around. I pulled up next to them an told Sara "now you can check them". She replied " it is better you bc I don't speak the language" but I know she was afraid something was seriously wrong. Not in a good spirit I reluctantly got out. I tried to stir the boys who looked to be 10 and 7 to me, but did not wake. I shook them more but no response. I then checked pulse. They both seamed fine but still no response. I then check there pupils to see if they were high. The oldest boy then slowly responded but still nothing out of the younger boy. After much talking and checking on these boys they finally sat up. I continued to ask why they where on the street and why are they sleeping in the middle of the side walk there? They said they had been up all night and were just tired. I asked them if they wanted something to eat and I got a smile. I took them into 7 eleven on the corner and said " get what ever they wanted". They were specific as if they had waited for a day like this and yet where not greedy. I help fix there food and they kept on saying thank you! But I told them don't tell me tell God! I asked if they knew how to thank God and the youngest responded " yes make the cross sign" I told him that Jesus cares for you and It is better to tell him in words. So I taught them how to say thank you to Jesus!
After I got in the car to leave I told Sara and the boys there story and what happened. Sara looked at me and said;

"If we call ourselves Christian driving by those boys no matter how often we see it, it is not okay....I just want to go around the city holding up a sign above these kids as people act so busy saying THIS IS NOT OKAY"
So this is our action and response to God showing us this is not okay. Jesus would not pass by them on his way to preach in the temple courts and nor will us. So pls help us in "This is not okay campaign"

23/05/2013

This is not OK campaign!

22/05/2013

We are excited that we get to bring a one day feeding, soccer camp, scrimmage game and life lesson for the street boys of Cebu on June 5th. Pls pray for the people who will be involved ( YWAM DTS'rs), other volunteers who will be couching, money for feeding and a possibly a give away like a ball or a t shirt, Transportation (about 100 boys), and THAT WE GET TO MAKE A BUNCH OF BOYS FEEL SPECIAL FOR THE DAY. Special thanks for Jonathan Leathers for being willing to offer his talent. Just one more thing we get to do right for God.

09/05/2013

Wow! 11 months! We are still so thankful for being in Cebu and our passion for this city and God's people has only increased. We are learning (painfully) to wait on Him, and follow His leading in our lives. Thank you all for our prayers and support!

30/04/2013

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. (Proverbs 31:15 NIV)