5 Pesos

By Wongee Joh

NOW UMChurches

Worship at Parola UMC, 

Salama po Panginoon

On the 22nd  Sunday after Pentecost, a typhoon is leaving trails of its passing in the Philippians. We drove under the dark  skies and in the rain for about 20 minutes (traffic was not bad but one never knows if it will take 20 minutes or an hour). I packed extra shoes in case it was going to be muddy then at the last minute decided to just keep on what I had been wearing. Earlier at breakfast, I had listened to our leader Joseph share about what shoes he wore to worship, the road conditions, and what distance he had been willing to walk in those shoes to arrive at worship. 

We crossed a bridge into the port area and in front of us was the ocean. Behind us were the skyscrapers of Manila. To the right, a huge cathedral "Iglesia de Christo" painted a pristine light blue with gated gardens. I'm told it's an off shoot of the Catholic Church, independent and not recognized by any Christian denomination for its gnostic leanings. It is the fastest growing church. The founder's three sons have three other churches, all in different colors. Directly across from and all around this church is the "slums". Parola is close to what literally use to be a dump site referred to as "Smoky Mountains" where many people scavenged. Parola  UMC is based in this port town and many work as laborers at the port. Last year, the streets across from and behind Parola UMC caught fire and according to some neighbors, the rumor was that it was set by those connected to industrialists who want the land to build on as extensions of businesses related to the port.   

We got off out air-conditioned bus as semi truck after semi truck headed out from the port passing us by. We walked down narrow streets with many women doing laundry. Markets selling bananas, veggies and meats filled the humid hot air and lined the tiny one person walkways. We arrived at the church doors literally connected to both personal homes and the markets. They are all connected. 

One woman seemed to have her market corner in the wall crack between the church and the steps into the church. We entered and were welcomed and we greeted one another.  I sat down to pray and could not stop crying. God was here. We were worshipping and praising in a space maybe 14X20 with amplifiers to make sure the folks in the market directly outside could hear. As the Holy Spirit was invoked in praise/prayers I felt a stillness in my heart like never before. I cried through the entire first hymn with my head down and I heard "feed my sheep."  I opened my eyes to 5 children turned around from the chairs in front of me and looking at me. I'm not able to put into words yet what I felt in their gaze. Words from the opening hymn "Lord have your way in my life..." stayed with me. One of our laity members of the team, Denise, (God bless her!) preached. I thought through her sermon "what the heck would I preach in this context that is like no other I have experienced before?" Denise was full of courage and preached! 

I wrote down one of the scriptures she emphasized as part of her sermon, Ephesians 5:19-20:

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord," Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am inspired by our laity leaders. 

Right before the offertory, I looked down at a boy who came to sit next to me. Earlier in the service, I noticed that there was an empty seat between myself and the next person so I moved over. The little sanctuary was packed (about 35) and it was unlikely anyone was going to ask me to move over or try to squeeze past me. This boy had been sharing a seat with his Mom. I looked down and in his hands, he was playing with his 5 pesos. He was prepared for giving.    I was humbled by his preparedness.  I had prepared in the US before coming, to give at these worship services. I realized that all my preparations had been in vain now in the presence of this boy and God. I prayed God would accept my offerings with the heart like this boy.  As we got up to put our offerings at the front of the altar, the PUMC praise leaders lead us in singing "and now let the poor say I am rich..." (Give Thanks). Singing familiar hymns with PUMC, different context, and still one as God's people, offered me a spiritual revival/renewal. 

Listening throughout the service I heard the same words and later I learned that "Salama po Panginoon" means  "Thank you, Lord" 

As I stood on the streets again after the worship. I looked towards the ocean, all along the streets bordering the closed "Smoky Mountains" and at the Manila skyline again.  I prayed even as I thought who am I to offer such a prayer..."Lord may the good news come into this port and save your people, Amen"

For the worship with Parola UMC, for this journey of spiritual revival/renewal, for the hospitality, and for sanctuaries, my heart praises, "Salama po Panginoon"