I cannot tell you her name.  I cannot tell you the name of the young man.  This is happening in the Philippines somewhere but it is not proper to expose the people.   They will recognize this story.  Let’s call the mother – Susan and the young man – Frank. Frank grew up in a very difficult family.   His father had a second family and left his mother.   Frank’s mother was full of anger and hate and called her son all kinds of names, “Stupid, worthless,” were some of the words used to wound him.   He struggled with school, repeating the 8th grade 4 times.   He was addicted to drugs, smoking and drinking.   He was used to lying about everything all the time.   Finally his mother left him with a nanny.   The nanny did not want him so they took him to a local Bible College.   The College could not keep him.  Frank was taken to a house not far away where Susan took him in.

“You cannot drink, you cannot smoke, you must go to church, you must not curse.  These are the rules of the house if you will stay here, Susan told Frank.”  Then she told him the consequences.   “If you smoke one cigarette you will miss one meal.”  She went on to say, “If you smoke one cigarette, I will miss one meal. If you have to miss a meal I will also miss a meal.”   Whatever consequence he would suffer, she would suffer with him.  “I will fight with you through this.”

For the past six months this young man has made good progress in overcoming some of his past.  He has a long way to go but the deep love shown to him is helping a great deal.

Many new churches are being established throughout the Philippines.  This is the New Hope Church in Southern Tagalog.  The photo was taken at the organization of the church in May of 2009.