Words and Faith

Camila is saying a little more each day. Her English/Spanish vocabulary now consists of:
(some of these she's only said once)
-Hola!
-Adios!
-Hello!
-Yay!
-Uh-oh!
-Isaac
-Josiah
-Daddy
-Mama
-Seven
-Light
-Nose
-Mouth
-Gracias
-Catch
-Stop
(Some of these aren't very clearly spoken, but were obvious enough to know that's what she was saying.)
There are a few others we can't make out at this point.

She is using the potty, and it is very evident that she knows how to do this anytime she needs to, but there are times she just doesn't want to. We aren't pushing the issue, and will focus on that more when we get home.

Yesterday there just wasn't much to update. Truthfully, we were beginning to get seriously stir crazy at our apartment. Since two of the boys have had the ear infections, and one (Amaus) is still seeming to not be over it, we cannot go swimming right now. That was sort of our one way to get out and play a little. Yesterday at lunchtime we had had enough so we went to eat lunch out at The Yellow Rose of Texas. It's owned by a retired man from, yes, Texas. The food was very good!



Camila had a milkshake and loved it! She didn't want to put hat thing down!






We came back here to our room and yes...hung out. There is nothing I can add to that. That is all.



This morning Camila was having a little Bible time. :)

Also this morning, I was able to travel with a team with Shawn to feed some of the street people in Belen. Wow. What an eye opener. I met her this morning at about 6AM in the lobby. The team was made up of several of the interns and then also some guys who are living in the Safe House. Also, the church youth pastor was there too.

We went to the edge of the Belen market. It is typically not a safe place for gringos to go alone, but the Rolfzens now have many friends there, and also some of the Safe House guys are known there. We bought several bundles of bread to feed the addicts and street people.

Belen, if you remember, is the floating city. It meets the land where the Belen market begins.



My pictures the other day don't do it justice, and I would have loved to have a working camera today. There are tons of these houses, one after another. Trent and Shawn say most of their addicts and child prostitutes come out of Belen. They are praying fervently about building a home to get many of these kids off of the streets (and water).

The people who sell at the market were just getting set up when we arrived. Some of the tables had the addicts laying on them wrapped up in boxes. It was so crazy to see these guys (and one young woman) laying on the market tables asleep, and people all around them setting up their produce, herbs, clothing, etc to sell. Today I would guess there were somewhere around 15-20 that the team ended up feeding. There have been up to 40 before.

We gathered at the edge of the market where the stairs descended to Belen. We went through the normal routine that the team usually does on Wednesday mornings.

They have a sort of "beat box" that's used like a bongo drum. Someone sits on it and bangs a beat on it and leads the team in some chants and songs. The songs say things like, "Jesus saves the street people! Jesus saves the drug addict! Jesus saves the prostitute!"

As they sing, the street people begin to gather close by. Some of them sing and clap with the team. Then one of the Safe House guys prays. Today he prayed and asked any of the people who wanted prayer to come to the middle of the circle. A group of about 7-10 did. Everyone prayed over those people.

It is just incredible to talk to some of the Safe House guys. Many of them were rescued from this very life and boldly declare how they have never known any greater joy than the joy they've found in Christ.

One guy introduced himself to me this morning and after giving his name, said, "I am very happy today, because now I know JESUS!"

The cool thing about this ministry they have to the street people, children, addicts, and prostitutes, is it is a church calling. No two people are bearing the responsibility alone. The youth pastor, and several other men, live full time in the safe house with these guys because they know undoubtedly that's where God has called them. The same goes for the new women's home. What a beautiful picture of a surrendered church, boldly being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Today the team left the market with another street addict who is going to live at the Safe House. The youth pastor said that every time they go to the market, this particular guy's father begs them to take him because he is so worried about him. Today, the son was willing to go. He was dirty, his hair in disarray, and his feet covered in mud. He carried one small sack. The guy couldn't have been older than 18, and the youth pastor led him around lovingly by the hand like he was a little child.

The youth pastor, Rudolpho, said, "Today he is coming with us!"

There was victory in his voice. They have seen so many miracles at the Safe House, and why would they doubt God will bring the deliverance in this young man?!

I love these people.
I am so thankful I was able to go this morning.
I am inspired to reach for the impossible and the impossible people who seem to be broken to the point of no repair in the world's eyes. What a lie from the enemy that we as the church can easily find ourselves believing!

Oh no! Where sin abounds, grace abounds so much more. God desires to do these miracles, but who will believe Him for it?!



Today we have to go sign a document and Marisa is working on getting the new birth certificate.

When I asked someone if it was possible for the birth certificate to be issued earlier than Friday, I was told, "Well, you pray to your God and we will see what happens."

I would love to see this birth certificate issued in record time, just as a testimony to this person. My Lord can do anything!