NEWSLETTER: AUGUST, 2004

Often I'm asked "How many lives are being changed as a result of our efforts in Tijuana?" That's a hard question to answer. How do we really know what's happening inside a kids heart because of God using us? We have contact with over a thousand children and teens each month. We track over a hundred. Then there are a smaller number whom we are discipling.

Yesterday I got to talk with three of our young teen boys at length. Very encouraging, considering where these boys were years ago. The three are Christians. Two want to be foreign missionaries and one wants to serve the poor in his own country. They happened to be working with us.

Yesterday was a big workday in Trinchirasso. It was a hot sweaty day, kids and their mothers filled the big basketball court. Not the best place to talk, but that's how it happened. Alfredo, a nice looking teenage boy, was from that barrio and I was asking him some questions about his life. After his mother died he elected to return to Emmanuel orphanage and continue his schooling. "Alfredo, as you look around this old neighborhood of yours and see your old friends what do you feel, what do you see?" He looked around and thought for a moment, then replied " Everything's the same, they're not going anywhere. They're stuck." Isaiah, another teen who lives in Trinchi with his parents bounced into the discussion. "Isaiah, are you still going to be a missionary?" I asked. "Yes, I sure am, I have to finish my schooling first though." "Von take me down to Venezuela with you, I want to talk to the Indians." Julian, a bright teenager had several serious questions to ask. "Von, am I on the right track?" "My friends don't seem very serious about life." In his earlier years Julian had been a very good student and been given scholarships to advance in his schooling but his mother never came down to sign or even acknowledge the scholarships. "Julian", she would say, "why are you always studying?, why don't you get a job?" He decided to leave and continue schooling even if it meant the street. At that point we picked him up and he now lives at our dorm and continues in school. I assured him he was indeed on the right track. He too, will make a good missionary someday. (I often use Julian as my interpreter.)

Of course it's rewarding to be a part of a day like this; to see these little Mexican kids from this poor ghetto having a great time. Clean and wearing clean used clothing, they are running around with a fruit bag in one hand and a snow-cone in another. What a day! Kids getting free haircuts. A line of mothers with their children and babies waiting to see our doctor for a free consultation. All mothers holding a big bag of produce. US teens working hard to see that this all runs smoothly. Americans holding little ghetto children in their arms. Indeed this is rewarding but nothing compares with the rewards that we see in lives being changed for the good. We are after the permanent solution that only God can bring. God works from the inside out!

Prayer request: Our Spectrum team is hurting. Ron and Diane Mayo who do our logistics and work in our shed in San Diego had a nasty turn last week. Ron was suddenly rushed to the hospital with kidney failure. Pretty serious stuff! Ron and Diane would appreciate your prayers as they await a solution.

Again, may I thank you for your important part in making it possible for us to minister and serve the poor in Tijuana. Do continue to pray for our safety and strength.