VOH Child Learns Acceptance, Leadership in BB

Alvin Ramos (center) leads the BB Magdalena squad in opening an event
at Rose of Sharon House of Friendship.

Visions of Hope child Alan Vincent Ramos, or Alvin, found acceptance in Jesus Christ and learned leadership when he became active in Boys’ Brigade (BB), VOH’s character and leadership development program for children and youth.

Alvin ran away from home when he was 13 to escape his stepfather’s frequent beatings, especially when the latter was drunk. In the street, he got into drugs and brawls. He thought he would hurt others to get back at his stepfather.

He later moved to a street in Manila, informally called Sarimanok, where he met Frankie Libre, another street dweller. Frankie served as a father figure to Alvin during the many years that he lived on the street. Alvin remembers that Frankie disappeared for a time and when he returned, there was something different about him. He started leading feeding programs, talked frequently about God, and often asked Alvin if he wanted to leave the street. (Frankie had become a Christian and a worker of the Kaibigan Ministry. Read his story here: http://peopleblessingpeople.tumblr.com/post/2479622041/a-fresh-start.)

Alvin was 15 when he finally decided to embrace change. This started with an short yet enlightening jeepney ride to the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Kaibigan Center, a drop-in center ministering to street dwellers. For some reason, none of the jeepney passengers moved to offer him a seat and he ended up sitting on the step board. He realized that he stank and was grubby all over.

Frankie told him that if he would clean himself up and appear presentable, people would respect him and willingly give way. Alvin followed Frankie’s advice and soon saw a change in how others treated him.

Alvin says that although what others think about you matters, that is nothing compared to how the Lord views you. “Even when I was dirty, in the eyes of the Lord, I was worthy of love and acceptance,” he says. Because he received the Lord’s forgiveness, Alvin has been able to do the difficult task of releasing forgiveness to his stepfather.

Now 18, Alvin stays at the CCT Magdalena Campus and is finishing his high school education by way of the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum. He is a squad leader of the Boys’ Brigade First Magdalena Company. “In the BB leadership training activities,” he said, “I learned to show respect to those who are above and below me, just as Christ showed respect to the Father as well as to every person around Him.” He says he desires to live a life of patience, obedience, and respect – characteristics that are all in Christ and are required of leaders like him.