I will blog about the experiences of others later today. We headed out in different directions but nobody built a house. I think everyone was ready to experience something different. We had people doing everything from Gatorade runs to building a gravel road (Amy!) to going to a boy's home to going to the girl's detention center to working at a school. So much to accomplish, so little time.
Ellen and I went to the girl's juvenile detention center. It was out in the country in a secluded area. A one story block building that was very dirty and old. We stopped in town at a restaurant that Lori had ordered lunch for the residents from. It was a really cute little restaurant that was very clean with glass top tables and wrought iron chairs. It had so much character. I had our translator tell the owner how much I liked it and that I had once had a catering business and helped my sister in her restaurant so that was why I was so interested. When we arrived at the prison we were led into an "auditorium" type room where about 25 girls were waiting along with some ladies who were either teachers or administrator types. Some of the girls were wearing matching uniforms that consisted of navy plaid jumpers with white shirts and white knee socks. Several others were wearing just regular clothes. Several of the people who were with us had gone last year and explained that the ones not in uniform were the "upper end" of the hierarchy and were in charge. It was obvious in short period of time that the other girls did what they were told by these girls. For example, we had several crafts they could do and one of the stations was a nail painting station. I noticed that only the girls with regular clothes, make-up and jewelry were the ones getting their nails painted. When I would ask the others they would refuse.
We served them lasagna, salad and sodas for lunch. They were taking their plastic forks and hiding them in their clothes. Several of our girls were asking why. We told them that it was so that they could us them as weapons.
I heard many stories from these young girls. For instance, one girl was 14 years old. She is three months pregnant, has killed someone and is in a gang called MS 13 that evidently was started in Mexico - has moved to the states and is bad news. In the gang, she is a drug and arms trafficker. We asked her how long she had been there and she said two months but that she thought she wouldn't be there long. When we asked why she said "Because they have no proof that I killed that person." Another girl has been there 1 1/2 years and her sentence is 3 years so when she turns 18 in August she will be moved across the yard to the women's center. Just looking at them and thinking about them being Ellen's age and younger was very hard. They don't know any better or if they do, they have no other choice in life.
On a lighter note, God is so good. A lot of you know that I have been struggling with my foot for several months. I have specifically asked people to pray that God would heal my foot so that I could really give it my all here. Well, every single day it has gotten better. It hardly hurts at all and I have been on my feet all day every day! Please keep praying for it but while you are at it, thank Him and praise Him for hearing our prayers.
Margaret, Lori, Pam, MA and Liza left us today. It was a sad morning. They really worked so hard and we didn't want them to leave. The kids loved having them here so much. Godspeed to them.
Tonight we are going to the Jesus statue. We did not go last year so we are looking forward to it.
until later,
I am .....
running on faith
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