Mission News: On Track With the Lord

Kulot is 21 and has lived all her life in the rough slums which line the Philippine National Railroad tracks. Seven other people live with her in a tiny upstairs room, the size of many western master bathrooms. She cares for her five-year-old nephew because his parents had too many other children to keep him. Kulot's mother is separated from her father and has active tuberculosis. The only bread winner in the family is her 25-year-old sister whose livelihood is picking pockets. The family eats only when food is available. Much of the time, Kulot and her nephew do not have the pesos for bus or lunch money and thus cannot go to school.

Josie V., who is working in the Philippines, contrasts her life with that of Kulot. "When I was 21, I was just graduating from Johns Hopkins, had studied in Paris and Mali and felt I had a world of opportunity at hand. The situation of Kulot is so very different!"

Twice a week Josie sleeps next to Kulot in Balic-Balic, her church community by the railways. Kulot has a "family" of believers and was grateful recently for a gift of 100 pesos (less than $2 US), which she carefully tried to budget for a whole week's expenses. She has a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and, in spite of her many challenges, tells Josie that she never forgets to pray. When Kulot completes her studies, she will be the first college graduate in her family.

Josie ends her story of Kulot by writing, "I honestly can say I have such a thirst to spend time with Jesus and grow more deeply in love with Him. Please pray that I would know Him more each day and that this precious ministry would only be an overflow of my knowledge and love for WHO HE IS."