Greetings, August, 2003

I pulled up to Juan's house, parked on the dirt road and almost immediately there were six kids standing at my window. As I stepped out and closed the door I shook hands and exchanged greetings with each one. This impromptu meeting was no surprise as the kids are on school vacation and I am always there each Monday for our staff meeting. Pedro, a small, slight thirteen-year-old mentioned that he had graduated from school. I asked him what his grades were. "I got almost all nines and tens (almost A's)," he replied. "So did I," Marcos, his fourteen year old brother, chimed in. "Where are your report cards," I asked. "They're at home." "Those are good grades, " I said, "If I can see your cards, I'll give you each a reward." Their eyes widened. "I've got a meeting, I'll be out in a couple of hours. Let me see your cards then and I'll give you something."

I turned and walked up the stairs into our staff meeting. After a long meeting, I walked down the stairs to the waiting group. "Here are our cards," Pedro said happily pushing two cards into my hand. Sure enough they both were B+ report cards. I pulled a ten-dollar bill from my pocket and gave it to him, then said, "Divide it between you." Their eyes widened almost as broad as their smiles. "Wow, five dollars!" "What about our sisters? "They got good grades too!" "Where are they?" "Up there," and he pointed up the dirt road. About a block away, I saw two thin girls standing in the shade of a small tree. "Let's see their cards." Marcos ran and grabbed the cards and his sisters slowly followed. Their cards were only eight's or C+ but good grades for this type of kid. I reached in my pocket again and pulled out a five-dollar bill and gave it to them. "Split this between you for your good grades." They were so shy. One girl said a faint thanks and lowered her eyes while the other little girl didn't even look at me. They turned and started walking away. Marcos called to his little sister, Say thanks to Pastor von! " She turned and shyly replied "gracias," then continued walking up the road! Indeed a dollar or two is a powerful motive here.

It's so neat giving your money away! I only wish you were there to have the experience. Believe me this was a very impacting lesson to all the kids who were standing around to keep going to school and get good grades. This is the only way they will make it out of the barrio! Motive? OK, wrong motive BUT it works. This "teaching" scene is repeated often in many of our barrios. We also help the mothers who can't afford to send their children to school. At least to get one of them in school.

It's not news that Tijuana is corrupt and growing in its drug use and violence. I'm reminded of that every day. The radio, newspapers and television all compete to reveal the bloodiest reality. One has to walk a narrow line between the police and the criminal, both are dangerous.

On a recent Sunday I talked with a teen named Juan; he has killed but never served time for it. He had been released that afternoon having completed his sentence on another charge.

I remember well, over ten years ago, that my friend and I were targeted to be killed. We didn't find out for several years. Sometimes I wonder what we don't know. Literally the prayers of many of you keep us safe. Please keep it up. Thanks for the help this month in keeping your ministry moving ahead.

PRAYER PLEASE: It's been a tough two weeks. I need both wisdom and faith. Ten-year-old Jose Luis just got his biopsy back. Several weeks ago I looked at the lump in his neck and told his mother to get a biopsy. She did. He has major cancer in his lymph nodes. His family has sold all they have. Father sells brooms, pots and pans. They even sold their beds and are sleeping on the floor. The family owes money on the home so they can't sell that. They ask simply for our prayers and some food to feed the rest of the family of six. There will be surgery and chemotherapy. The future looks bleak.

Leslie, our orphanage director's five-year-old daughter caught meningitis two weeks ago. We almost lost her twice. Slowly she is growing better. She is still in a critical condition.

Angel, a little nine-year-old boy from here was crushed under the duel tires of a truck full of tomatoes. His lower body is badly mangled. The truck insurance is stalling. His mother and sister are sleeping in the hospital room with no food or money. They ask for our prayers and help.

It's hard to know where to hold the line where lives and futures are involved, especially for me. It's also difficult to share situations like this without it looking like a disguised pitch for money. At this time I just need prayers from my team; God will work out the money and details. Thanks for understanding.