He Cares For His Sheep

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Last week, following a decision made in humility, we secured the service of a good lady to assist with the cleansing of our shop and our household, which, by a gracious and special providence, did immediately lead to my own queen sharing the precious light of the Gospel with her.

We learned with heavy hearts the distress of her domestic circumstances. She dwells with her husband in a meager unit within the neighboring village, sharing the roof not only with her aged parents, but with five other souls—nine individuals are thus confined within a house clearly fit for only two. And yet, the burden upon this small dwelling is further compounded! For the tenth occupant is a young woman of but twenty-one years, who resides there as the lesbian lover of the lady's own daughter, a girl still but fifteen years of age. This grievous moral trespass, resting upon the heavy affliction of their poverty, adds profoundly to the load. Truly, the darkness of this world presses heavily upon the domestic sphere, and the need for the saving light of Christ is rendered terribly manifest.

The stepfather of this poor lady is known to us as Lolo S**, and she did attest that he alone of their household claimed the blessed title of Christian. We learned that his soul was once passionate for the Word, but alas, he has received no spiritual feeding for a long season, ever since the pastor from Malolos, who had formerly offered them assistance, ceased his visitations for reasons unknown to us. I was instantly moved by Providence to offer to convey the woman home, that I might speak with the old man and inquire if his heart was yet burdened to revive the sacred studies of Scripture.

I found him lying upon a makeshift bed of crude wood in the garage, his body already bowed by affliction. His eyesight is so greatly diminished that he can scarce read the Holy Book. His physical suffering is yet more grievous, for he did pop his left knee whilst laboring at the dump site; lacking the earthly funds for the necessary operation, the knee remains dislocated even unto this day, preventing him from walking far. When I first came upon him, he appeared utterly weary and sunken in the abandonment of hope. Yet, by the grace of God, as I shared with him the real and compassionate Christ, a light was kindled in his eye! This blessed ministry occurred on the past Sabbath-eve, and we trust that the seed sown will now find fertile ground, even in his garage of affliction.

This day marks the very first occasion wherein we were permitted to study the sacred Gospel narrative together. Lolo S** is, in his comprehension, slow and deliberate, but there is an unmistakable sparkle in his aged eyes when he speaks of the sacred stories which he already knows by heart from the Holy Book. So moved was he by this brief sustenance that he did earnestly invite me this time to make the visits a regular exercise! I confess that my mind is sorely exercised, for I cannot presently discern how this necessary duty shall be fitted into my already heavy and demanding schedule of labor. Yet, I take heart: for the sake of a poor, thirsty soul, God will assuredly make a way.

Regarding Christ, the book of life says, His kindness is such that a "bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till.. in his name shall the Gentiles trust." (Matthew 12:18-21)

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