Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao has come a long way since his childhood in the slums, and the Christian athlete is now looking back at his past with thanksgiving in his heart.
He shared a throwback photo when he was only 10 years old on his Instagram account (@mannypacquiao) and wrote, "This picture was taken when I was 10 years old. Thank you God for everything you have done in my life, beyond my imagination. The blessings you gave me. Thank you Lord."
The boxer then shared the Bible verses found in Galatians 5:13-14. It says: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
Pacquiao has certainly lived up to these verses by sharing his blessings whenever he can. In his hometown in General Santos City, the athlete and Filipino lawmaker is using his wealth to build a church community called The Word for Everyone, which would hopefully address the locality's issues of poverty and lack of education.
"The Word of God strengthens my faith and protects me from evil. That's why I always read the Bible," Pacquiao said, according to Philboxing.com.
The church community will be 5.7 acres big, with a two-storey church building and a Bible school annex, pastor's lounge, and even commercial offices. The whole project cost Pacquiao around $6.7 million.
"I owe everything to God. I have to give it back to Him. The amount is nothing compared to what God has done to my life," Pacquiao said. "I want to leave behind a legacy of faith and a house of God. This is more self-fulfilling than my achievements in boxing and politics."
