NEWSLETTER: MAY, 2010


Alex ... Growing Rage

When I was a kid I would listen to what were called Soap Operas. When I was sick and at home for a few days, my mother would have the radio turned on to the morning series of Soaps. Just one program and I was hooked. "Continued tomorrow at this same time," the announcer would say. Little did I know then that I would become involved in so many true life Soap Operas. True life. No actors. Ugly real life! ... with no 'off' button.

I remember, months ago at the end of the work day in Pana, we were sitting on a bench in the shower room. Martha had brought Juana, her little four year old daughter in pointing out some sores on her legs. I was rubbing some cream on the sores she was showing me. Alex, her seven year old son was standing there watching me.

In casual conversation I asked Martha where her husband worked. At that she threw up her arms and said "That man! That beast! He's gone ... look at what he's done to me," and she showed me scars on her arms and legs. Then she said to little Alex, "He beats me doesn't he? He gets drunk and hurts me!" Alex looked over at me with a slight smile and hit me, not hard; then his countenance seemed to change and he hit me again harder, then in an uncontrollable rage he began seriously beating me. His mother started yelling at him to stop, but it did no good. I quickly grabbed his wrists and held them together tightly. Looking in his eyes I shook him! "Look at me Alex" I said quietly. "Calm down!—Calm down!"—"Calm down." In about a minute he calmed down.

Little Alex isn't the only boy hating his father, he isn't the only boy who is loaded with a deep explosive anger. He hates the very person he will grow up to be. Alex hates men, because the men that he has seen are angry worthless drunks who beat their wives, girl friends and kids.


Alex and Juana

Yesterday, when I pulled in to the worksite at Barrio Pana, before I could open my car door Martha was at my window where she broke down in tears! Two boys had their heads in the open window too and were watching wide eyed as the ugly story poured out. It wasn't simply the facts, but everything! It seems that the Government took Alex, Juana and their little brother away from the home, which was more of a hovel than house. She had lost her kids and until she could find a better house and keep better care of her kids the government will keep the kids. So we will check it out and possibly build another house. Another frustrating case in which a neat, tidy solution eludes us.

... In real life, there is no 'off' button!

Thanks for your prayers for wisdom and love. It's hard to keep from getting calloused as we face an over and over cycle of sins consequences. Kids learning too early that pain and hurt are an integral part of life in their world. We appreciate too, your support that enables us to help these hurting kids and their families.

Von, for all of us working the streets of Tijuana.