NEWSLETTER: MARCH, 2008

Last night was great; one of those nights you come home singing not sobbing. At times each of us has returned across the border grieving and frustrated over what we can do nothing about. So it was nice having a more positive return.

Last night was an evening spent with the sixty boys at LaGloria orphanage—ages six through twelve. Most of these kids are not true orphans; but all of them are problem kids. Every month we have a LaGloria visit—a night of games, competition, food and a message. (Two weeks ago it was a mountain camping weekend for all the kids!!)

Parking my car along the curbing, I got out and walked up to the high orphanage block wall and opened the metal door. As I entered the yard a kid saw me and yelled, "Here they are. von's here!" Can you picture a load of enthusiastic kids running down the cement ramp to greet you? It's literally a human tsunami that flattens you against the wall. Sounds like an exaggeration, but it's not. It's just a bunch of "hungry-for-attention" kids, ready for an evening with Spectrum. Wow! A little dangerous for a man my age. Yep! The Spectrum team was there!

Soon, our older Mexican teens had five games going while Julian was in the kitchen making a big load of spaghetti to go with the pizza and fruit juice drinks. After a time of games and competition the boys filed into the big dining room and seated themselves along both sides of three long tables. Each had fruit juice and a paper plate with pizza and spaghetti. After singing and reciting a memory verse, they prayed for their food. Then it was the "eating" time, which they all were waiting for. I might add, they excel in eating!

After eating, there was an explosion of activity while they showered and put on their pajamas. Other kids were doing chores like sweeping, mopping, picking up papers, and moving dirty clothing. These little kids are energetic workers and each has a job according to his age.

Next it was story time. Young Julian was my interpreter. The kids crowded in the small sala room. Some on couches and chairs; most on the floor. I start off telling adventure stories, often showing short jungle video clips. Then the lesson: last night it was on the ten lepers and being thankful. (I had to be careful that the kids were not thinking "ten leopards") These little boys give great attention. I love to see wide-eyed believers ... kids are great believers!

After I've finished and we have had an evening prayer, it's goodbye time; again a little dangerous as the kids rush up to hug the old man. No exaggeration! I've learned to stand against the wall so I won't lose my balance in the hugging thing... as they come at me from all sides. I never thought of love being dangerous.

As many of you know, I'm single and have no kids of my own. Yet in a night like last night, I find out how many children I really have; and they're teaching me to hug. Last night we sowed a lot of seeds ... and sowing seeds is what we love to do.

Yep, I returned home happy and singing.

Thanks for your part in making these occasions for the kids in our orphanages possible. Thanks too, for making our ministry to the poor barrio kids so successful. We love each one of you on our team! Keep your prayers coming. Von, for all of us working in Tijuana