One of those days

One of those days where nothing seems to be going right and every time you turn around there is more bad news....definitely one of those days.

.....news that the caregiver of a 19 year old girl with cerebral palsy that we support will no longer be providing care because she is afraid of the controlling gang in that area

.....news that the church landlord, who lives in the US, is in town and is thinking of asking us to leave the building because he wants to use it for his family

....news that the controlling gang in a neighborhood that we minister to will no longer be allowing people in to evangelize

.....news of a possible abuse situation in the church

....pulling up to our house only to witness a gang member dragging a man down our street and smash his head against the electrical post in front of our house

And all of this before 9:30am!!

There are times when I am weak and overwhelmed. I dream of what it would be like to live in the US again where my life was safe and more orderly.  I want to enjoy the fall season and spend my Saturday baking an apple pie, drinking hot cider, or visiting an orchard.  I quickly shake those thoughts from my head because that is not where I am now, and it is not my current reality.

What is my reality? Staring at the words of my Bible study book, Scripture that reads,

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Pure joy? My feelings this morning are anything but pure joy. More like, go hide under the covers and whine, kind of feelings. But, the more I meditate on scripture, the more I am strengthened.  He renews my strength so that I can walk...so that I can run.  Perseverance is being developed and I carry on.

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."           Isaiah 40:31 

 My eyes are drawn to a final scripture, one I am sure I have read a million times. A little one that lies in the middle of a bigger story.  One that I am sure that I will never overlook again.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

I too am a little one that lies in the middle of a bigger story...the greatest story. The saving of many lives.  I love the words of Jennie Allen:

"Our lives are a breath, so if we are here for just a minute, I'd like my one little breath to feel more like a mighty gust of wind.  And that takes surrender.  It takes perseverance and not wasting my minutes away on Facebook or complaining. The apostles walked away from painful persecution, 'rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering." (Acts 5:41)

A Growing House

Bea, Osiel, Diego, and Elias

About six weeks ago we welcomed a new youth, Diego, into our home.  Admittedly, the circumstances surrounding Diego's arrival were challenging for us.  We were approached by one of Diego's family members who asked us if we could take Diego in for just a few days and then quickly realized that we had been deceived and that Diego's stay with us would be long-term.  In addition, when Diego was dropped off at our home, he had absolutely nothing but the clothes on his back so we had to quickly rush out and get him some clothing and other essentials.  Over time, we have been slowly learning of his background and history....abandoned at a young age and living on the streets since he was 11 (he is now 15) and only a second grade education. 

To be honest, when Diego first arrived in our home, there was a lot of frustration and confusion.  We didn't understand why his family dropped him off with aboslutely nothing but the clothes on his back. We didn't understand why they didn't come and pick him up after a few days. We didn't know what was going on. And neither did Diego. We all quickly learned  that the family that had abandoned Diego at an early age was not going to be taking responsibility for him as they had promised. Feelings of anger, frustration, and betrayal arose within us and we struggled to forgive.  Over time we gave it over to God and trusted that He knew from the beginning that this family would not return back for Diego, yet He allowed it to happen. God brought Diego into our home, in a rather strange way perhaps, but we have long learned to not try and understand God. His ways are not our ways.We just trust and know that His ways are perfect and good.  

The past few weeks have been a difficult adjustment for us all. Diego came from a life on the street, so adjusting to a home and family life has not been easy for him...or us!  On the difficult days we try and turn our frustrations into praise. Praise that he is safe. Praise that he can now get an education and that he enjoys learning. Praise that he is now being cared for.  Praise for his great sense of humor and strong worth ethic. Praise that he can now learn of God's love for him.  And, humbly praise our God that He would see fit to choose us to raise this young man and help form him into a mighty arrow.

Would you please pray for us, Diego, and our whole family? Pray that we would have the wisdom and strength to disciple and train each of our youth and that they would grow into amazing, completly sold-out, young men and women of the Lord.  Pray for their past hurts and wounds, and that, most of all, God would be glorified in each of our lives. 

Back to School??

It's January, and that means Back to School for most Salvadoran children. The school year runs from January to November so most public and private schools and universities are headed back to class this week.  That is, for those who live in the right area...

Through our work in the Ezekiel 33 ministry we have discovered that Back to School isn't always an option for those who live in gang-controlled neighborhoods.  For them, receiving an education can be dangerous and almost impossible. 

In our small town, there are 3 elementary schools and one high school.  All of these schools are located within the heart of town and are controlled by the MS13 gang.  This poses a great challenge for children or youth who live in the rival gang's territory, as they are not permitted to attend school in town.  If they do enroll in these schools they are bullied, threatened, and abused until, fearing for their safety,they withdraw.  The children and youth from the rival gang territory do not necessarily need to belong to the rival gang, just the fact that they live within that territory makes them subject to these restrictions. 

In the Ezekiel 33 ministry we have been reaching out to a small area of our town called Nueva Esperanza. This area is controlled by the 18th Street gang, which is the rival gang of MS13. When we first started ministering in this area we discovered that most children and youth in this community were not studying, and those that were studying were going to a neighboring town.  Further investigation revealed that many of them have the desire to study, they simply cannot because they live in 18th Street territory and the local schools in town are controlled by MS13. Those families that do have a little bit of money are able to send their children to a neighboring town that is controlled by 18th street, therefore allowing the children to study there. 

Bobby and Darwin went out today to give out some school supplies to children and youth who would be going back to school.  While out, they were approaching a home when, all of a sudden, a gang member flung the door open to the home and came running out ready to attack Bobby and Darwin.  An acquaintance who was walking with Bobby and Darwin, jumped in front of the gang member and held him back.  The gang member was angrily asking them the typical questions, "Where are you from?", "What are you doing here?" etc.  Bobby quickly explained to him that they were from the church and approached the gang member and gave him an invitation to our service. The gang member eventually calmed down and Bobby and Darwin were able to talk to him. He was 17 years old and liked music so they invited him to our music classes that we offer free twice a week in the church and also made sure to invite him to our Saturday service.  Through all of this, Bobby noticed that there was a little girl inside the house watching everything.  Bobby gave her some school supplies and talked to her for a few minutes. We wonder what her life is like and pray for her future.

Several years ago an NGO built a school in Nueva Esperanza for the kids who live there.  The school was to be government run, but due to a lack of funds, the school was never opened.  So there it sits, empty, and there is such great need for it to be opened. We pray that someday God will open the doors to this school so that the children and youth from this community can have a better future. More importantly, however, we pray that the doors of their hearts would be opened to Him so that they may have the hope of an eternal future.