We Didn’t Just Get Here. Is America’s Colonization of the Philippines Responsible for the Abject Poverty and the Sexual Victimization of Filipino Children in the Philippines ?

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LISTEN NOW! While on a global trip to view the 100 wonders of the world, one man shares his stories as to what he encountered when he visited the nation of the Philippines. While walking through the streets and markets, he came across a little lonesome girl walking with a jug of filthy water. After asking the locals around her where her parents were, he learned that her mother was killed while in prostitution, the father was nowhere to be found, ultimately leaving this small child to fend for herself. From a distant nation, one may react with shock and surprise wondering how such poverty could exist amidst all that is available in today’s world. When we take a deeper look, a revealing story of our history comes into light.

One of America’s previous President’s, Teddy Roosevelt, was in leadership when America played a major role in the cause and effects of the Philippines future. During the late 1800’s Spain ruled over the Philippines and fighting broke out in the Philippines against American forces. America viewed this as rebellion. Within the Spanish- American War, during the Battle of Manila Bay, America surmised to colonize the Philippines for fear that if America didn’t, Germany or Spain would. Should America have messed with their government? The mindset of one bullying their way into another in order for decisions to be made, may be a mindset of the world, but it is not to be a mindset of the Church. But, how do we respond to this little girl with the filthy jug of war today matters. It matters to this little girl and it matters to God. In Matthew 25:45, Jesus said “whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” As the church, we can respond today, not as the nations of the world would do, but as we are called to do for the Kingdom of God. Allow your faith to be stirred as you see how you can empowered, not only where you are, but in the entire world, and so much more.

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