Dreams can come true.......

We met Sarah May her sisters and Mum!


Sarah May and her family

We saw our extended family in Cebu, Philippines! Some 7 years ago the girls came back to our tent at New Wine (Summer Conference) suggesting we support a child. Well it seems obvious to do – you can’t resist and the direct debit bank forms were duly completed.

In due course we heard that we have a little girl called Sarah May born in 1994 and living in the Philippines. Over the course of the past few years we have received a steady stream of letters in clearer English marking her progress through the education.

Of course you assume you will never meet this child…. Well not so!

When we heard we were coming to the Philippines with MV Doulos we dug out our details and checked the atlas and found that she lives on the island of Cebu where the ship is going to be. But the Philippines is big and we would of course be miles away.

Anyway when we got here and made some enquiries we found that she was indeed some 70km away in another city – but through the Doulos contacts Dawn was able to make contact and yesterday we found we would be able to visit.

So today was our day off and after breakfast we struck out on an amazing adventure. First a taxi – to the bus terminal. Then a 2 hour bus ride – just ask for the Shell Gas station – then cross the road to the Baptist Church.(in a city 2 hours away)

And so we arrived to meet the team from the church who work with on the programme to rescue children from the trap of poverty. It turns out it was their day off but all 6 of them came to be involved. The work in Toleda City has been going 17 years but they have never had a visit from a sponsor of a specific child. We were so excited (not just for a safe arrival).

The church assists 256 children through the Compassion programme providing school fees, uniforms, health checks, training, spiritual input – all the things that will make a difference to the children. Another 100 are fed every week to keep them healthy.

We were received by a wonderful dedicated team with a big heart – they took us to the school (by local bus) where we were able to meet Sarah May – you just don’t expect these things to happen. Better still we met her sister then they took us to her home to meet her Mum.

She is 12 years old – same age as Tessa – and works hard at her studies. Recently her parents had to move closer to the shipyard where her father was able to gain work. She rises at 4am has a long journey to school for 7am and returns at 6pm – a long day for the oldest who has responsibility in the home with 2 sisters.

We were all moved to tears not least Sarah May’s Mum whose warm faith and gratitude instantly registered that we were indeed part of the same heavenly family. The children recited bible verses and sang songs becoming gradually less overawed. The Mallons even had a go at singing a few little numbers. Our bible memory verses were not so polished.

It was a special time – her home is down a track and through a field and along a bit and – well not on a bus route that we are used to.

The amazing thing is her whole group from the church are coming to visit Doulos in two weeks and we may never have known! So we will see her again.

The wonderful staff of the centre asked us to pray for them and the children – we feel like we can do this so much more effectively. You see what is a few quid for us we have seen with our own eyes turns a little girls life upside down. And it’s well spent.

We got to do see what many would dream of seeing – all you guys out there that support these children – keep doing it – God is changing lives.

Thanks so much to the Staff of the Toledo Student Centre they really love these kids and give of their time sacrificially. We think you’re fab!