Faces

We did this a few times a while back and in continuation with this theme here are a few more faces of the some of the people here.


Lindsey, Kathy, and Rachel. Lindsey and Rachel came down with their university and Kathy is a 15 year old girl who lives in El Callejon. Kathy is very sweet and well-behaved, and like most girls her age is a little boy crazy. But recently she has been going through some tough times. A 40 year old Italian man recently took interest in her and wanted to marry her. He gave her dad some money to help with some health issues he has been having, and because of this, Kathy's parents started to pressure her to marry him. But clearly Kathy did not want to marry him, so he went back to Italy. But now Kathy's parents are mad at Kathy and have been ignoring her and treating her badly. Now Kathy is in a very tough situation because even though she did the right thing, she has lost the love and care of her parents. Please pray that Kathy will continue to be strong and will learn to rely on Christ during this difficult time. Please pray that her parents will realize the hurt they are causing her and that would stop.



Genesis and Rachel. Genesis is an adorable 2 year old girl. She comes to the Social Work site with her mom and grandmother. She was born premature at 6 months, and since then she has had a lot of physical problems. She is now mostly healthy expect that she can't walk. Her muscles are like jelly. She has been going to the Students International developmental therapist (Amy Green) and it has helped her a lot. She has made a lot of improvement. She can now walk when she is holding onto something. Please pray that God will continue to heal her and that she grows up to be a strong healthy woman.

Boy's Club

One thing I love about our blog is that my spouse and I never really say who's actually writing. I think sometimes you can definitely tell, but other times you can't. Ever since 2007 when we started fundraising we consistently had to collaborate on writings together, and our styles have become more and more similar.

Almost a year ago I started a Boy's Club ministry in El Callejon with the purpose of sharing the Gospel with these boys, printing my own money (haha), and teaching the boys how to work, save, and manage dinero. It's been a blast. I get to act like a 12 year old 1 day a week and I love it. At the end of some of the meetings, we go in the yard behind the SW Site where the boys have one goal: to try and knock me over. It normally goes until they can get enough boys together to actually take me down.

It's also been an effective opportunity to minister. Many of the boys have come to know Christ and each week they learn more about how to walk with Him.

There are about 35 boys that come to the Friday Club meetings. Enjoy some of the best pictures of time spent with them.

The very first meeting back in May. The man helping me is a Dominican-American who used to played in the MLB.


I have Dominicans come and share lessons whenever I can. This lesson was about being a Warrior for God.


Flashin their paper. Have I posted this picture before?


Joandre earned 20 pesos for washing this motorcycle. they get 10 Ryan dollars for every peso but they have to pay 5 pesos for materials. He earned $150 de Ryan.


Hidalgo saved for 10 weeks to earn that bike.


Diego ready to take a swing.


Right before I left for Christmas we had a huge field day. There were 2 teams in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. It was my team "Los fuertes" (The strong guys) against the 'other' Ryan's team "Los chevere 9" (the cool 9). My team won in the morning but lost by 1 point in the afternoon.

Los Chevere 9


Five (he was the fifth child and goes by the english word five) and his partner Jose. The purpose of the game was to guard your team's egg while trying to swat the other teams with a sandal. Five did not want to play because he didn't want to get his hair all eggy. I finally convinced him and they ended up winning and his egg didn't explode. I thought he was being a baby for being afraid of a little egg so I broke it after the game was over. He was very upset and late I found out that there was no water at his house to take a shower and he had to go to school in the afternoon. I felt terrible but he found it in his heart to forgive me.


A gross-food eating contest. Francis is enjoying dog food, mayo, mustard, and cayenne pepper.


Frangi.


Miguel.


Luis.