We have spent months going into a certain barrio (Spanish term for community), that is at high-risk for trafficking, drugs, prostitution, sexual and physical abuse, etc., and just playing in an open field with kids every Sunday. Since January, we have grown in number. Every single week we brought a bunch of balls and love. That is all. We weren't giving any sort of hand-outs.
Just looking to gain trust in these little ones and show some Jesus lovin.
At times, we would have to walk around to houses and rally some up. Most of the time, they would just come running out the door as our vehicles drove by letting them know we were coming to play. First they yelled AMERICANOS!! Now, they yell our first names.
A lot of these kids don't attend church or attend a Catholic church. Some go to school, some do not.
On Sundays at 2PM, everyone is welcome to play. Young and old.
We believe our first step in the prevention of trafficking is gaining influence and respect in communities. Today, we tasted it. Our pastor met us out at the barrio to NOW go around for the first time to the parents of these kids and request that their kid(s) come to Vacation Bible School in 2 weeks at our church. On the last night of VBS we are having a dinner where all the family members are welcome to come and hang out with our church. Step two in our process is a relationship with Christ, our Savior. This is where life change happens.
Along this journey we have carefully listened as we prayed and sought His direction. We have always known that God would have to direct this in order for us to see change in this country.
As we went from home to home talking to the parents this morning, we would introduce ourselves and say, "We play with your kid(s) on Sundays out in the field..." And, the moms would say, "oh, yes, yes, I know. I know who you are." I don't know why but that really shocked me. I thought they would all need an explanation of who we were and what we are doing. Nope. So, out of all the kids' homes we went to, they all agreed to let their kid get on the bus for VBS in 2 weeks, and to come to dinner on Friday night with the family, unless they weren't in town then.
I must admit, I was so touched. This is what I heard: Yeah, we know who you guys are. We know each of your faces in this community and your kids' faces. We know about you. We may not understand what you are doing, but we talk about you. We know you are dedicated to our kids every single week out in that field to just play with them. We know they are safe with you.
The plan He set in place worked. Even when we couldn't really see two steps in front of us some days. Even when we aren't too sure about what we are doing AT ALL. Even when we think it isn't happening fast enough.
It's looking like a full house for VBS!
Just looking to gain trust in these little ones and show some Jesus lovin.
At times, we would have to walk around to houses and rally some up. Most of the time, they would just come running out the door as our vehicles drove by letting them know we were coming to play. First they yelled AMERICANOS!! Now, they yell our first names.
A lot of these kids don't attend church or attend a Catholic church. Some go to school, some do not.
On Sundays at 2PM, everyone is welcome to play. Young and old.
We believe our first step in the prevention of trafficking is gaining influence and respect in communities. Today, we tasted it. Our pastor met us out at the barrio to NOW go around for the first time to the parents of these kids and request that their kid(s) come to Vacation Bible School in 2 weeks at our church. On the last night of VBS we are having a dinner where all the family members are welcome to come and hang out with our church. Step two in our process is a relationship with Christ, our Savior. This is where life change happens.
Along this journey we have carefully listened as we prayed and sought His direction. We have always known that God would have to direct this in order for us to see change in this country.
As we went from home to home talking to the parents this morning, we would introduce ourselves and say, "We play with your kid(s) on Sundays out in the field..." And, the moms would say, "oh, yes, yes, I know. I know who you are." I don't know why but that really shocked me. I thought they would all need an explanation of who we were and what we are doing. Nope. So, out of all the kids' homes we went to, they all agreed to let their kid get on the bus for VBS in 2 weeks, and to come to dinner on Friday night with the family, unless they weren't in town then.
I must admit, I was so touched. This is what I heard: Yeah, we know who you guys are. We know each of your faces in this community and your kids' faces. We know about you. We may not understand what you are doing, but we talk about you. We know you are dedicated to our kids every single week out in that field to just play with them. We know they are safe with you.
The plan He set in place worked. Even when we couldn't really see two steps in front of us some days. Even when we aren't too sure about what we are doing AT ALL. Even when we think it isn't happening fast enough.
It's looking like a full house for VBS!
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