free the oppressed..

today was a very special day for the group. we went out to an area called zambrano, where there is a children's home run by jimmy hughes, an incredible man with an incredible story. he has come from a rough background, and after finding Jesus, he decided to help children from circumstances not so different from his own. there is a rehabilitation center, housing drug addicts, ex-gang members, etc.. also, there is a children's home for younger children, who come from extreme circumstances. for example, 2 of the children watched gang members murder their mother, stabbing her 115 times, then stabbed the older brother 22 times, and gashed the little girl's head open, leaving them both for dead wrapped in a blanket in the corner of the room. there are plenty of stories just like that one coming from these children. but they are being loved, they are being rehabilitated, and Jesus is working in their lives changing them and making them stronger. it is a wonderful place to take TORCH groups so they can see another side of life that we are not used to in the states.
after we left there we went to the suyapa catholic church. it wasnt until today when i went there that i realized i hadnt been there for 7 years. it is an amazing building, beautiful architecture with stained glass windows. we sang for about 20 minutes and the echo is unbelievable. you will literally sit for 7 or 8 seconds listening to the echo after every song.
after that we went to the school for the blind, which is always a trip favorite. we had the cotton candy machine going, and sang together for about half an hour. i have been there probably 30 times, and the children there always display a purity that i never see at home. they love singing, and they are so joyful and loving.
much more work to do.
pray for us

NCR