Greetings, December, 2007

What do you give to someone who has everything? How do you show appreciation to someone who is so far beyond you? I'm reminded from time to time of how these kids look at me—someone who is the "rewarder," the giver, even in some cases "my very rich uncle." They're basically poor little kids who feel they have nothing like a gift to offer me.

Some of them actually want to show their appreciation and I suppose I'm often too busy to think about that. No doubt many see me as too busy to care, they have a point; It's hard to have a personal relationship with two thousand kids.

Last Sunday morning I arrived a little late at LaRoca (The Rock) church where I was to speak. LaRoca is located right in the center of Tijuana's red-light and drug district—Zona Norte. As I entered the packed room everyone was singing. It was a joyful Sunday morning where the street people, for a few hours, could forget the filthy, hard, and mundane life below. Every seat was full so I stood off to the side waiting for my time to preach. As I stood there, I noticed Edgar get up from his seat in the back, walk over, and stand next to me. Edgar is tall for a sixteen-year-old and good looking with his hair combed and dressed in a casual shirt and shorts. It was good to see him in Church.

"How are you brother von?", he quietly asked in English. "I'm fine," I replied. "You are speaking good English" He smiled, "I'm trying." There was a pause as he reached into his pocket—"Brother von, I bought you something. I hope you like it." He handed me a little bronze medallion money clip that said, "Veteran. Armed Forces of the United States." I smiled and thanked him. He evidently remembered in my teaching some illustrations I made about my time in the Army and found an appropriate gift for "the person who has everything." I treasure that old medallion that came from Edgar. He is no longer a dirty little street kid who used to sing on the little town busses for his money. He's now an "A" student in school even though his father is still in the penitentiary. Edgar prays for his mom, an unknown drug addict floating somewhere in Zona. Edgar found an occasion to give.

Along the same line, a couple of weeks ago while at an orphanage called "The Jesus Tribe" I was in the process of leaving when 13-year-old Raul called to me. "Brother von, wait" ... he then disappeared. Soon he came running up with a big smile and handed me an old brass ring showing a horseshoe and a horse head (no doubt one of a young boy's special treasures). "Here," he said, then disappeared back into the orphanage. His special ring, now a gift to his "rich" friend. (And I'd better have the ring on when I see Raul again... he'll be watching.)

What a contrast to the many of us here in America who will be struggling to find a meaningful gift for that one who has "everything." While that's a rather happy dilemma, we here at Spectrum will be struggling with another kind of dilemma: to find little gifts for those who literally have nothing—a real dilemma for those of us who cross the actual line between the "haves" and the "have-nots" every day.

We would very much appreciate your prayers this month. First, we will need plenty of children's toys, blankets and tarps and secondly, we will need to cross them. That means charitable border guards who are willing to, shall we say, "look the other way." Thirdly, we always want to express the true Christ of Christmas in all that we do in this important holiday season.

THANK YOU!!! DEPARTMENT

In our recent letter sent out to all of the friends and supporters of Spectrum, we highlighted a real need by an orphanage here in Tijuana. The tribe of Jesus orphanage was using one small van to transport almost seventy kids to school each day. This meant loading the van with almost forty kids a trip. Totally unsafe!

Aaron kept his eye on a clean 2002 fifteen passenger van that was for sale on a used car lot here in Tijuana while we waited your response. The Dodge van was $10,000. Little by little the money was coming in ... last Wednesday we bought it and drove it down to the orphanage, and there were literally cheers as we drove it in! Unfortunately most of the kids were already in school, but the few that were there were alive with smiles, cheers and hugs.

We didn't know it, but the old van they had completely broke down the week before, and they were temporarily borrowing another old van to do the job. Cheers and smiles. Job well done! THANKS TO MANY OF YOU! Yep! We got the cheers and hugs that you so richly deserved. Each of us understands that we couldn't do these neat things without you.

We're your missionaries. You enable us to be down here every day giving these kids the attention and love they so desperately need and deserve. Indeed, we are the front men and women giving out that which you have given to us. Each of us accepts the gratitude of the people in our Tijuana ministry with you in mind. After all, you make it possible ... we are simply your representatives. Thanks for the privilege! And we'll continue doing our very best.

Meanwhile our next big challenge is to express a Merry Christmas to each of our kids and their families. Thanks again for sharing your Christmas with us!

Each of us in Spectrum wish you and your family the best of Christmas and another happy and prosperous New Year.

For all of us serving here in Mexico, von