NEWSLETTER: AUGUST, 2005

It was Sunday afternoon and we had just finished working at the children's jail in Tijuana. I was putting things away in the back of my car when I heard my name. "Von, von!" I looked up and saw a young man running toward me in a uniform but the afternoon sun was in my eyes and I couldn't quite see who he was.

Before I knew it, there was Edgar! Edgar, in all of his glory in full uniform. He stood there smiling, proud as punch. "Hi von," he said! "Remember me?" Oh yes, I remembered Edgar. He was the kid who was always doing the dishes at the orphanage. He was the kid who would always run and hug me when I came to the orphanage. He was the kid who longed for attention when I had little attention to give. Edgar, well, he wasn't the brightest but he always had a smile and he did dishes well. And he tried!

Now here he was, years later, standing proudly in front of me in his security uniform. Edgar, a security officer!

"Wait von, wait just a minute while I go get my card," and he rushed off down the dirt road to get his business card. He returned a few minutes later out of breath. "Here's my card, von," and he shoved it into my hand. In bright red capital letters it read, SEGURIDAD PRIVADA (private security) Edgar Martinez Ruiz. He quickly pointed out his personal cell phone number on the bottom of the card.

To be honest I couldn't help but feel proud with him and for him because from all the mess of his life, Edgar Martinez Ruiz had made it! Better yet, we all had a part in it. He still has his smile, his young optimism and, yes, his uniform complete with a cell phone attached to his belt.

This is what Spectrum is, a collection of important little opportunities that all finally add up to ... well, another Edgar.

Last Thursday, Hortensia came up to me followed by a young boy and his mother. "Von," she said, "Arturo and his mother would like to talk to you."

I looked down and there was little Arturo handing me three small pieces of paper, little thank you drawings he had made. "They would like to thank us for Arturo's operation, "she continued. Arturo's mother expressed her thanks then started to cry. She was so happy we had discovered his condition and helped pay for his hernia operation.

I smiled and took the thanks, but the thanks really belongs to you. We couldn't do this without your help. In fact, we couldn't be there without your help. Arturo was so very proud of his bandages and stiches. Thank you! (This time I took a photo.)

For all of us, Pastor von (Director: Spectrum Ministry)