Because of the way Andrew's Spanish classes are working out (i.e. only being taught on Thursday this week) he was able to go with Alex and Paty to a rehab centre this Tuesday. It is a Christian establishment and Andrew was really impressed with the set up. He has an open invitation to go and chat with the director (who has asked him to go and preach to the kids there!).
The purpose of the visit was to see some of the kids that Alex and Paty have been involved with. Andrew counted 8 'pieces of definite fruit' as a result of their work over the year.
One of the kids is a girl who on one occasion that we visited her group (last year) was involved in a fight with another girl (probably over drugs). It was quite a vicious fight into which we intervened. Later, on a different visit, she asked me why we visited them, explaining that most people are afraid of street kids.
She has now spent 5 months in the rehab centre and has earned respect there. She has some simple work and is determined to stay off the streets. She explained to Andrew that the pull of the drug is strong when she returns to her group and that if she were to spend one night there it would undo all the hard work over the last 5 months. She is very strong in urging her friends to leave the streets too though.
This is another reminder of how we need to pray (perhaps even harder) once these kids manage to get of the streets. The decision to leave is the easy part, the action of leaving is very tough but the strength to stay off is superhuman (and that is where our prayers are needed). These kids need support. They need friends to be around them and stand by them as they make the transition and at this stage those friends are the MEFI team. Alex and Paty have been doing a great job in that. It is time consuming to fill that role but to God be the glory for the kids whose lives are being rescued. One day they will thank us and you for our love and prayers.
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