A Need for Change

The other day, I wrote about some of the cultural differences that my housemates and I share.  I was pretty annoyed about somethings, but I asked you all to pray that in spite of our differences, we could become friends during the time that they are at our house.  I must thank you all for praying.  I know you have because my attitude has changed, and I have been becoming a little closer to them every day.

Melissa and Liseth grew up in a children's home, one I have always thought was a good one, El Buen Pastor, or known to all of the Americans who have visited there as Good Shepherd.  There the kids receive love, discipline, and the word of God.  They also are able to receive an education.  Some learn a little English, but many do not.  When they turn 18 they are no longer permitted to leave at the home.

While in Buen Pastor, the kids are rescued from whatever horrific situation that brought them there, but upon their completion of 18 years they are sent back to the harsh life without the knowledge to get a job, and many times without the skills to obtain a job.  She told me that many kids that leave Good Shepherd, turn back to the ways of the streets and leave the way of Christ.  They go from living a comfortable life to living in survival mode.

Here Matt and I have come to take in girls.  After seeing and hearing so many stories of people growing up in children's homes yet after they leave, they do not have what it takes to find a job in the society which they live.  We see it as a necessity to not only provide a place of love, hope and security for children under 18, but we also need to be sure to train them for jobs, teach them how to obtain a job, and provide some sort of in between home so they are not left to figure out the painfulness life can bring alone.  We want to see each child that we work with come to know Christ, and we also want to see the cycle of poverty broken little by little.  We are aware that we alone can break the cycle of poverty, but we can see it broken at least with each child that we can impact in our home.  Please pray for our endevours in this.