Motherhood is a challenging and growing experience. Some
mothers are more prepared for this role than others. The Formando Vidas pregnant
teenagers Bible Club is a place where girls are being prepared for this role. Aspects
of God’s character and just being loved and accepted are a key part of the club.
The 25 girls who attend the weekly meetings live in a social welfare home close
by in the Bogota’s red zone district. They are basically in jail and have many
needs. There are approximately 60 girls in this building and it is a reward for
them to come to the club. A Biblical teaching, memory verses, and a craft are
some of what they learn. Most importantly they are able to see through actions
and not just words that God is interested in them and loves them and their children.
This is a new area of evangelism that God has opened up.
Other doors that He has opened is with government run programs for young gang
members, street kids and other teenagers at risk. Through visiting teams, Carlos
has been able to contact these residential programs offering them a program.
Songs, testimonies, teachings, games or crafts are the tools used. Kids’ lives
are being transformed in these visits. A Venezuelan team were so
enthusiastically received that kids were crying when they left after a couple
of hours. These are kids who have lived many years in institutions, many have
never experienced real family life, they have learnt to survive and for them to
experience a few hours of childhood joy is something very rare.
For us as a family things are in a bit of a routine. Carlos leads a Jungle Club once a month. Alex loves to serve with him there. (In the latest ministry blog www.colombiastreetkids.org there are a few comments from kids who attend the fortnightly Jungle clubs.) There are a few legal things that take up his time and he continues to have quite a few different meetings to attend while co-leading YWAM in Bogota and translating to do. He works long hours to fit everything in.
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| Brothers that regularly attend the Jugle Club |
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| Kids enjoying the Jungle Club |
We have had some new long term staff join us which is
great. There has been an influx of short termers as well which has been a
blessing. There are now 35 volunteers who work at least weekly and another 20
or so monthly. There is quite a bit of
administrative work to do. The ministries income has been lower this year and
the expenses a lot more. This gets
stressful at times but only when our eyes leave the Provider and focus on the
circumstances, if you multiply the cost of raising your kids by 60 or 70 then
you would be close to what we need. And
maybe then you could imagine how easy it is to move the focus to the need and
get stressed. God continues to be faithful and we have some stories of amazing
provision. The purchase of two houses where our evangelism and initial contact
with kids and families occurs is a project that on paper was to take 18 months.
This month, 5 years later, we are in the process of signing the purchase
papers. From 3 year olds who gave their piggy banks to a widow that gave over a
year’s salary, a matching grant that was very informal with no or little
paperwork, all were ways that God provided. The glory goes to no one but HIM.
He is simply amazing.
On that note we have taken the step of enrolling all 3 of
our kids back into school for next year. I have learnt a lot and hopefully
Simon and Gabriela have also over the last school year. However, the ministry
needs more time that I was not able to give and Gabriela needs more challengers
in her work and misses her classmates. Simon is not that keen on returning as
he likes not having homework and has homeschooling friends he plays with
regularly. As a family we are stepping out in faith. We have some incredibly
faithful donors that we are extremely grateful to God for. At this time our
regular monthly support is less than half of what we need. Add the huge expense
of schooling and we have less than a third. This year for the first time the
school is offering a scholarship for missionaries’ kids. We will be applying
for this and relying on God to raise monthly supporters.
Please pray with us for this need. With today’s economy
it is hard for many to give. We are asking for people to prayerfully consider supporting
us in the work we are doing by giving $5.00 a week.
Other prayer points:
- Our school year is coming to a close in 2 weeks. We are finishing up all the required school work and are looking forward to a break. But before then Alex has his final exams starting next week.
- Our ministry directors are on furlough until mid August. Please pray for all on the team as we help cover their roles.
- Pray for the planning of the ministries’ 30 year celebration that happens this September.
- Pray for the ministries finances and transforming miracles in the lives of children and their families.
Many blessings,
Katrina for all
