Smokey Mt. Balut, Tondo Manila -- That’s our ministry location in 1991 , a squalid heap billowing with smoke due to small fire in Smokey Mountain garbage dump.  About 20,000 slum dwellers strive for survival here.    Poor as a rat,  people scavenge scraps, paper, and metal to sell to recycling vendors.   My fancy title – Director or base leader.  Job description –overseer , but at times driver of the 26 passengers Sarao jeepney  for a half day (due to  traffic) to pick up YWAM teams from the airport.. here's our journey

Finding my beautiful Model Best friend sleeping on the streets of San Francisco , destitute and homeless is beyond my imagination.  From I remember her, she succeeds in all the things she does, not to mention she came from a well to do family in Manila.  She works as an accountant in Daly, City living with her boyfriend who's involved in taking drugs... and so her story begins

Flame of Passion !!!  Sam, our staff from Thailand has done 2000 haircuts...  A decent haircut cost $12 bucks average in San Francisco salon or barbershop.  YWAM Ellis Room can be crowded with homeless wanting to have a decent haircut.   Sometimes there's a long waiting line,  Sam enjoys giving haircut and its FREE!!  Imagine what happens to scissors and razors cutting unkempt, unwashed hair for ages.  At one point, we have to use a metal cutter to remove the stucked scissor on a sticky hair.  Anyway, its a lot of fun when you volunteer as our barber since you'll make a lot of clients happy especially when you care to hear their story.  Check this out

YWAM Balut Student Sponsorship helped hundreds of children to get education from grade 1 to college.  From scavengers to skilled workers and professionals, stories of families from rags to so called"riches" (transformed living) inspired other young children to strive for education.  Ms Catriona Gray, a frequent guest and volunteer with Young Focus, (a great NGO in the dump) won the Miss Universe the previous year,  more poor kids dream of success.  Those young people dreaming of transformation believe education is a key. Check what YWAM  doing here