The Colombian news these days is once again full of terrorists attacks and kidnappings. Including the 12 year old daughter of a mayor of a rural town. The physical civil war in Colombia is a concern but more so is the war for the souls of the Colombians especially the children. The majority of the kids who the ministry works with do not live in the ministry homes. They leave each day to return to their neighbourhoods were gangs, theft, violence and prostitution is the norm. We try to bring light into the darkness- showing the kids and their parents that someone cares and that there are other ways to live.
The Jungle Club is now open twice a month. It would not be possible without the help of Christians from different churches who come to volunteer. We need around 25 volunteers to attend the 100 odd kids. With another group in intercession while the club is running. Last weekend Carlos, Alex and I went to help out at the club. As we walked through the neighbourhood we picked up some boys from a park. They seemed to be a gang of 8 with a older guy being the boss. They were eager to come. During the next hour they enjoyed the different activities, were noisy, found it difficult to wait turns, got into fist fights, and ignored safety rules. When the Bible story and worship time came I headed to the prayer room. The boys apparently were not able to handle the Spiritual light- they became really unruly during this time. When I returned an hour later half of them had been asked to leave due to their behaviour. The war is on for these boys souls.
On the 31st of this month their will be an extra Jungle Club- to give kids a safe place to be- we are praying that people will give us lots of sweets to hand out so that the kids won't go out trick and treating. Last year nearly 200 came, this year we plan for more. Last year 2 kids were kidnapped from the park around the corner, they have not been seen again ,so we are telling the people to send the kids to the Jungle Club not out to the streets.
Family News
Carlos is at the church camp for unchurched high schoolers this weekend. He has a group of 9 boys to be with for the whole 3 days and nights. He has been translating a book when he has a free moment. This last week has involved a few trips to sort out the legal status of two ministry youth who didn't present their obligatory military service- they were not deemed fit to do so but the paper work was never carried out. This left them vulnerable to be picked up off the streets by the military and kept overnight and fined. This happened to one of the boys earlier this year. Even after this experience the two young men were not very successful at following though and getting the right paperwork done. Hence Carlos stepping in to walk beside them and help them learn to walk through the system. The systems here are complicated and they still have 3 or more long lines to stand in before the process is finished and they are given a military card to show when stopped at checkpoints.
This week was a school holiday. Alex was getting stressed with schoolwork so it was good timing for him. The family we were homeschooling with has left for the states. Simon and Gabriela have been doing great at homeschooling but will now have to learn to do it with me at the office twice a week. Definitely a challenge for organisational skills.
Simon had a nasty fall down or rather over the stairs in our house. The first thing we did was pray. After a few hours wait at the hospital he was feeling much better and wanted to try out the wheelchair he was sitting in. By the time a doctor saw him he was able to walk by himself. Apart from the ugly bruising on his side and a cut in his head he was fine PTL. Thankfully he has stopped jumping down the stairs though he still runs.
Thank you for your support and prayers they make a huge difference in our lifes and what we are able to do to help reach the children in need of Bogota.
