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In September we will be working in 7 new barrios. For the last month and a half, each barrio director has been visiting at least 3 possible barrios to start their new work in. I would like to tell you a story about an experience that one of the directors had.
Jorge was driving into a new area, his goal was to get to know people and introduce himself and the project. He was welcomed by two guards! The guards would not let Jorge in the barrio, and they closed the gate before he could drive in. As Jorge was talking to these two guards, 30 people with shovels and big sticks surrounded his truck. There were also huge rocks in his path. Jorge was very nervous and scared; because this was the first time he has been in a situation like this. He didn’t really know what to do! I’m sure he wanted to just back up and drive away, but obviously there were people all around him and he had nowhere to escape. So he got out of the truck and they asked him who he was, and he responded with, “who are you guys?” They replied, “We are the neighborhood watch and we have had a lot of trouble with theft and crime in this barrio, so we are very careful who we let in.” Jorge introduced himself and told them about the project and the work we want to do in their barrio. Then the crowd went from wanting to lynch him to welcoming him. They were excited to hear about the work that we want to do there. One woman there said that she’s been praying about someone helping their community. This barrio does not have any churches or help from the government because it is a newly formed barrio. This is just one of the many of the positive feedback's that we have been getting about the work in the barrios.
I would like to share one other quick story with you. Manuel is a university student that is teaching Skylar and Nicole drums, he also will be teaching them keyboard. We just finished going through the Peace Treaty with him and he got baptized on Saturday at the beach. We offered the Peace Treaty to his mom and aunt and they are excited to go through the lessons this week! Please pray for this family; Manuel is a very neat kid.
As always Danell and I ask for your continued prayers in all areas. We ask that you petition God on our behalf as we continue to move forward with moving into new barrios. And we ask that you petition God on our behalf to continue to guide those barrios that we have already been in. Please continue to keep our entire team in your prayers.
In God’s Service!
Mike, Danell, Skylar and Nicole
