A true story detailing how a Christian Police Sergeant from England boarded the Logos Hope Missionary Ship in 2011 and was forever changed when, in the Philippines, she unexpectedly encountered and fell in love with a group of street teenage boys addicted to a solvent called "rugby."
A true story detailing how a Christian Police Sergeant from England boarded the Logos Hope Missionary Ship in 2011 and was forever changed when, in the Philippines, she unexpectedly encountered and fell in love with a group of street teenage boys addicted to a solvent called "rugby." The book details the highlights and lowlights, ups and downs, trials and tribulations, successes and failures of the Logos Hope crew as they defied local attitudes to slowly and carefully befriend this sidelined and often detested minority.
You will read of hospital visitations, breaches of trust, criminal activity, gang fights and numerous disappointments, but ultimately you will read of the changes in the lives of just a few of the boys who decided to leave the street and the solvents for better future lives. It goes without saying that these small changes made the heartache and struggles worthwhile.
A true story of Christian hope being brought to the hopeless in the Philippines.
Excerpt
"As I approached the bridge leading back to the Logos Hope ship, I saw a lone figure standing in the shadows watching the people walking past. He was unsteady on his feet and rocking backwards and forwards holding a plastic bag in his hand. As I moved nearer, I saw it was Mark. He ran away when he saw me and tried to hide but didn’t get very far and so he sat on the ground, behind a large pillar, in the shadows, breathing heavily. I sat beside him on the ground, which was dirty and really stank, and when I put my arm around his shoulders I smelt the intoxicatingly strong smell of the solvent.
The boys had recently stopped taking “rugby” and had moved on to a door sealant called “Vuca Seal” which was stronger. It was all over him and he reeked of it. I covered my nose. I remember this was the only time where the thought ran through my mind that I could see how addiction to this smell was created because it was really intoxicating. I knew I needed to be careful not to breathe much of it in, but Mark was really very high. He was vacant and staring ahead, and then he began crying again as I tried to talk to him. I asked him why he was doing this to himself and what was it that had made him so unhappy, but he didn’t answer.
Mark got up and stumbled away as I watched him go. I followed and tried to talk to him again, sharing a bit of my life before I became a Christian and how miserable I had been. His hopelessness reminded me of my old life when I was immersed in drink, gambling and meaningless relationships. I knew Mark was listening as I shared the hope that I had found in Jesus with him, but he didn’t respond. Eventually, I had to leave him, alone and staring vacantly ahead of himself hanging over a railing. I was really worried that he wouldn’t make it through the night if he took any more solvents...."
Professional Reviews
Where divine love leads
The title is cute, but not so in context, for rugby refers to solvent sniffing.
The author gives an honest account of her Christian ministry that involves both failure and success in helping street boys in the Philippines to change their hearts and their lives for the better. One might assume street children are orphans. That's not always the case. The particular gang in this story comes from families that are abusive or too poor to provide food and clothing. So the boys form their own family--the gang. Together they spend each day sniffing solvents, despite knowing the practice will permanently damage their health and possibly cause death. But the sniffing takes the edge off their hunger. It provides a high, and it is addictive.
How can you convince a rugby boy to change his life? It is not easy. Here is a gently told story about how each gang member struggles to straighten out his life. Can he succeed in living free of addiction? Can he get an education or a job? How real is his spiritual change of heart? How does the author connect with these boys and stay connected? Part of the answer might surprise you.
This is a true story of a missionary's outreach in the Philippines and what leads her to found the Olongapo Christian Help and Hope Ministry. All profits of this book go to that ministry.
I know now
I have thought a long time how to sum up what I've just read and to put it into words is nearly impossible.
This is a journey, that puts mine to shame, sometimes we don't realise how good we have it.
Through the book, the compassion from this author is tangible, she doesn't judge the boys in any way but the stories are heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measures.
It is a book that made me think 'what would I do in that situation and what are you going to do now?' I can't read this and then do nothing, that would be criminal [no pun intended]. Although I regularly donate, this makes you even more determined to give.
The individual stories of the 'Rugby boys' seem from a different time and place. Can this really be happening today? Yes, sadly it is.
Through a church, I used to go to we welcomed missionaries and helped in various ways financially, physically, etc this book really puts its all into focus just how vital it is not just for the people in need but for the workers to go out and do what their hearts desire.
I see the adverts of 'please donate just £2' and I think seriously that's all your asking? But when you see the monetary terms, the author puts it into you see it's vital.
The author clearly has a big heart and you learn so much about her through the book and her highs and lows, which she is refreshingly honest about.
Towards the end of the book, you learn what happened to the boys you grew so fond of while reading and there are even maps that draw you closer to the place you've been reading about.
If you decide to get this book, you won't regret it.
I have given this review as part of a swap and a honest review. And me don't lie when it comes to books xx
Mission on earth
God graces each Christian with unique gifts, talents and abilities to fulfill His mission on earth. Often those are not clear, nor do they demonstrate the maturity that you would imagine. Obedience to step into the unknown, and to trust God with each step, is the key to a growing understanding of that call, or the development of those abilities.
Natalie did just that, by responding with compassion to the "invisible" children of the streets, the "Rugby Boys". Her obedience to that call, despite its challenges shines through this book. This is her account, a book that demonstrates the power of one life that is yielded to the purposes of God, to bring the love of Jesus to those who would otherwise never know it.
I found this to be a inspiring read. Not all of us are called to the field that is Natalie's domain. However, we are all called to some field, some area that the Lord has placed us in, to bring His light to a very dark and hopeless world. Understanding that all that is involved in serving, wherever we are planted is not always clear. It is frequently quite messy as Natalie's account demonstrates. It always calls for a complete dependence on Jesus to guide, provide and empower for the task at hand. He is always faithful when we are willing to heed His call to obey. I admire Natalie for stepping up to this call with boldness.
To me this book was also powerful cautionary word against becoming callous to the millions of "invisible" people around us. We are all called to compassion and to minister the love of Jesus to those he has placed in our paths. Becoming blind to them and therefore missing God's plan is a very real threat to believers.
Natalie's wisdom, her dependence on the Lord, the sweetness of her spirit, her tenacity and above all, her uncommon courage is a testimony to her transformed life in Christ. I am always awed by the power of the gospel. May I never grow cold to it!
I would heartily recommend this book to every Christian - it will reaffirm your faith is a wonderful Savior whose love knows no bounds and whose power reaches into the darkest corners of the world.
Bravo, Natalie1
May God continue to use you more and more as you serve to bring His light to those who dwell in such darkness.
Titus and Philemon: The Easy Study Bible Commentary
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