“Mommy Jean, ” is a wonderful, tiny Filipina grandmother who has lived her years fully and well. Born in Manila, Philippines, she has seen much change as she raised her four children, navigating life’s heartaches and joys with a strong faith in Jesus Christ.
Now living in Southern California, she might be resting quietly and enjoying occasional trips back to the Philippines to visit family and friends. But not Mommy Jean. Inspired by reports of Guidelines’ work in Barangay Valencia, inner-city Manila, she went to see for herself. Through the cramped passageways teeming with life, she made her way to the tiny 10 x 10, 3-story place Guidelines missionaries Joshua and Jessa Manalo call home and church among the city’s poor.
Mommy Jean’s heart was touched by the work going on at the Guidelines Valencia Ministry Center, and by the genuine commitment of the Manalo family, to the community. “It’s good,” she said, and she supported it financially.
And then, like the disciple Andrew who went straightaway to find his brother and bring him to Jesus, Mommy Jean went and got her good friend, “Tita Doyet,” (Tita is the endearing Filipino term for auntie). Into the desperate poverty they marched. There, they found hungry children attending Sunday School—and started a weekly nutrition program; they gave each dedicated Sunday School teacher a gift.
“No roof on the third floor?” Tita Doyet asked? “That won’t do in the rain!” and before you knew it, a new roof cover was installed, linoleum floor laid and an electric fan arrived to help all keep cool.
But Tita Doyet wasn’t finished. She provided a sound system which, not only makes the message of hope in Christ clearly audible for those visiting the center, but for many more in this densely packed, home upon home upon home, neighborhood!
Author Janet Broling asked the question, “What can one woman do?” Or two? “Anything God chooses to do through her!” We praise God for Mommy Jean and Tita Doyet and their responsive hearts to the Spirit of God.
How will you respond?