I was struck with the extreme contrasts we noticed in Manila. We took two trains to get to the historical downtown. As we switched tracks we walked by these dwellings made from sheet metal. It was amazing to see how creative the people who lived there were. They created shutters, curtains, flower pots and clothes lines out of anything they could find. It was a bit of an eye-opener for me, and I pondered what I saw as I made my way through the crowded streets and long lines to the next train. 
Just a day before that I was sitting in the lobby of the fanciest five-star hotel in Manila--the Makati Shangrai-La. When we arrived there were at least 8 porters and greeters in official uniforms and white gloves. There was a security check-point and a beautiful fountain in the middle of the drive-up. Inside was a grand lobby with formal servers, marble tiles and columns, and a huge boquet (or should I say bush) that matched the shape of the magnificent chandiler above. Two grand staircases joined in the entryway, where professional businessmen, businesswomen, tourists and stylish foreigners met paths. We sat to soak this all in on cushy couches as we listened to live music. What do you think about these two worlds all in one city? Me? I'm still pondering it all.
1 comment:
I have also seen the contrast between these two worlds and have thought much about them. The world is not a place full of opportunities for all, and many live in a world where most things are impossible. Perhaps this is why some receive the message that "anything is possible with God" as such good news. In a world where you can achieve the goals you make, most things seem possible by ourselves and relying on God doesn't seem necessary. I once heard a sermon on how God draws near to those who have no crutches (nothing else to lean on). Seeing the reality of how most of the world lives, opens my eyes to my responcibility to be as God is "a defender of the poor and a father to the fatherless". In this world all are not equal and injustice abounds. This reality presses me to do something more, to seek to live a simplier life and to give more. For any that are interested in what they can do to help the poorest of the poor, check out Word Made Flesh on the internet. jana
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