We are so encouraged in many aspects of the work with the street kids at the moment. The team are working so well together. All have been busy in the drop-in centre making things they can sell. Fidel's wife Juana has been teaching the kids how to do 'popotillo' - making pictures using fine coloured straws. They are also making pictures and other bits and pieces. We'll try and get a picture. Of course, they are hoping that the folks on the team which is here at the moment will buy lots of what they are making as souvenirs! The Proyecto MEFI team work alongside the kids and it gives plenty of time to chat and build relationships with the kids.
Some of the kids who are making use of the drop-in centre at the moment are among the most difficult Andrew says he has seen on the streets. Alex decided to trust one of the guys with a business proposal. He gave him a bunch of necklaces to sell on the buses (buses here stop anywhere, not necessarily in designated stops and frequently folk jump on, sell things like sweets, jewelery, snacks etc and then jump off when they're done). Alex said he would charge the street kid 8 pesos (about 40p/80 cents) for each necklace and the kid could pocket the profit depending on what he sold the necklaces. Alex wasn't sure he would see either the necklaces or any money again but sure enough, the kids returned with the necklaces he didn't sell and the money for the ones he did. He paid for the ones he sold and gave Alex some of the profit saying, "Keep that for me to help with rent for when I leave the streets." We are amazed but praise God!
There are 3 new kids, including this kid who want the leave the streets. Please pray hard as the team work with these kids through the transition and that the kids will have the strength to see the difficult process through.
Perhaps you remember the story of Victor and Julia. Sadly Julia isn't doing so well. She was beaten up recently and turned up at the drop-in centre. Julie (a nurse) was there that day and was able to treat her wounds. Last week she said she though she might be pregnant but she was worried as she had been unfaithful to her boyfriend. We can't even imagine how these kids live or the hurt they carry. One guy has started to open up with Alex and Paty and they just sit in tears as they hear his horrendous story. This is such a battle and the fact that kids are leaving that life behind is a miracle and a huge and significant thing for them. Praise God for our team - Fidel and Juana, Alex and Paty and so many who volunteer in other ways. Praise Him for the relationships they are building up with the kids and the differences they are seeing God make through them in the lives of these kids. Pray that it would continue - this is not normal - it is God and we need to keep praying for them and for the kids.
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