Generosity of Manila Center Adventist Church Members

Last Sabbath, August 22, 2009, the generosity of the hearts of MCAC members was again put into test. I was going thru my usual welcome remarks to my Sabbath School class including welcoming the new faces or visitors and if possible asking them where they are from. A father with his 4 year old son, introduced themselves as visitors from Siargao, Surigao Del Norte, a destination in the South familiar to wind and water surfers. I inquired from the father why they are in Manila
right now. He said that his son is undergoing a series of medical procedures; I noticed that his son’s left eye is different from the other. He told the class that his son’s left eye lost its sight last May 2009 due to tooth infection. According to him, the doctors told him that the bacteria traveled from the mouth to his son’s left eye, causing it to become blind permanently. Although the son shows no sign ofdiscomfort as he still remains playful, I felt great pity for the child because he is very young to suffer that eye loss. The father continued that they came to Manila Center to ask some help and that they’ve been in Manila residing with his brother in Fairview for almost two months now. He added that they needed at least 50,000 pesos for the whole medical procedure, and that charity institutions have pledged to shoulder 75 percent of that amount. I offered help and told him to write a letter asking for some financial help from the church, the letter is to be addressed to the church board. Some members of my class reasoned that the board is three (3) weeks still and the need seem to be urgent. Two of my class members initiated a fund raising right then and there, keeping the activity confidential as possible, and approaching only those members personally acquainted to them. After some few minutes, they came back to the class and I was surprise after they informed me that they were able to collect 7,500 pesos in so short a period. I couldn’t forget the joy I saw on the father’s face while receiving the help. He intimated to the class that he is only hoping some help for their daily sustenance but obviously he got more than what he was expecting.

It is truly amazing how God could provide one’s need out of hopelessness and nothing, but what is more amazing is how God touched the heart of ordinary people and used them to bring hope to those dying in hopelessness. To those gracious and generous members of Manila Center, God knows who you are; you have our sincerest gratitude. You have made one soul, perhaps the whole family very happy because of your act of kindness but I’m sure God is the happiest of them all. May God continue to bless you and your family.