After leaving the Refugio, we stopped off to see one of the local priests. This is a relationship we have been trying to nurture for some time, since many of the kids have wanted to go to religious instruction (we pay for their books - they cost $3 each) and we want him to support them in this. For a while, he seemed to think we protestants were trying to poach people from his turf. We're pretty certain he doesn't think this any longer, plus we want him to provide real spiritual support to our kids from the Refugio. It's a delicate dance that costs me a little money, but I think somehow Martin Luther would find the humor in a Lutheran pastor providing support for a Catholic ministry. We think it's great that these kids have learned by watching what we at St. Mark do for them and how important a component Jesus is to what we do for them.
As we started down the hill this evening, we stopped off at the home of three kids. Two are in college (people from St. Mark support them in this) and their younger brother, a late teenager, still goes up to the Refugio. All three share a mother who is a prostitue, but they figure all three have different fathers. These young ones are struggling mightily to make a better life for themselves. The ones who love them are the ladies from the Refugio and Suzette and Anne. They wanted prayers and we all could barely make it to the end. Each one grabbed on to me and pointed up and said in halting English, "Please, for me, each day."
It is truly a unique opportunity for the members of St.Mark to see the difference their outreach ministry dollars make in the lives of real people in a part of the world few of us will actually visit. It is humbling to realize the number of blessings we have in America and how often we take them for granted. Perhaps this would be a suitable destination for a future youth pilgrimage.
ReplyDeletePeace,
Phil