‘Chariots’, located in Cebu, Philippines, is an organization that provides weekly support for over 100 homeless adults and children. During her recent visit, Doulos Hope was able to see the remarkable impact that ‘Chariots’ has on the local community. But the story begins more than 20 years ago in 2001, when our previous vessel, Doulos, was docked in Cebu…
Sally (Philippines) had been serving on board Doulos for four years. Cebu was her final port, and it was surely one to remember. Throughout the visit, crewmembers and local port volunteers connected with the children living in the streets nearby. Many homeless children and adults were able to come to the quayside.
Sally shared, “During their break, Doulos crewmembers would play with the kids. They got so involved and would invite the kids to eat on the ship – the meal badges [allotted for guests to dine on board] would always run out!”
As time went on, connections only grew stronger. “I can still remember the chaos and the joy!” Sally recounted. “You’d see [children] playing, singing and dancing with the Doulos crewmembers until late at night. It was full of life and vibrancy.”
At the end of the port, as the ship began her voyage out of Cebu, Sally witnessed something she would never forget. The children jumped into the wake of the ship, crying and expressing heartfelt goodbyes.
It was clear that the ship had an impact on the community.
Doulos was in a new port, but Sally and the port volunteers remained in Cebu with a newfound passion. “[The port volunteers] decided that they were going to continue the ministry that Doulos started,” Sally expressed. “Every Saturday, on their own, the volunteers came back to provide for the children the same singing, dancing and playing they had learned from the Doulos crewmembers.”
On Tuesdays, they would also provide meals for everyone who came. Sally saw firsthand how much it meant to the community. “It wasn’t only food that they looked forward to, but the friendship with [those] who prepared the food, invited them in and stayed with them. They showed them what love was by accepting them unconditionally.”
And it didn’t stop there. The team would meet in one of their homes every Saturday, discussing ways to expand the ministry. Eventually, they knew they needed an office. They settled in a space that OM in the Philippines still calls home today.
“We [had] to meet the community’s needs as much as possible,” Sally and the volunteers realized. They began partnering with local churches and different organizations to provide scholarship opportunities, dental and medical care and courses on faith. In time, Sally handed the leadership entirely over to the volunteers and ‘Chariots’ was officially formed.
“Today, it’s the next generation that is running the ministry, and the programming has evolved according to the needs of the people,” Sally commented.
Beginning twenty years ago through connections with children, ‘Chariots’ continues sharing God’s love with others today. “The most important thing is the dignity we give to them when we provide them with good food. We give them food as someone filled with love. They feel that and sense the genuineness, love and value that we give to them,” Sally finishes.
Your gift to OM’s Ship Ministry will allow a new generation of crew members just like Sally to create new opportunities with local communities. Thank you for supporting the Ship Ministry and enabling lasting impact to take place around the world!
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