DIA 3: Hermanitos

Having the best time ever :)

We just got back from the Barquisimeto centro de comercial (mall) a little bit ago. We went with the Project Jonas team leaders after a hard day at work on "La Granja." We did a lot of gardening and landscaping today, in addition to a few of us laying tile in the new outdoor laundry room. The last two days, we have been working side by side with the boys and you can just tell from their expressions that they are enjoying themselves. Many of them are really starting to open up to us too...they're sharing the difference Project Jonas has made in their lives and how much our group and past ones have encouraged them and helped them conquer their drug addictions. One of the guys, who is 43 years old, keeps telling us about all he has lost because of his drug problem, but he continues to share how grateful he is that we have come down to help and spend time with them. Another guy, who is 24, told Becki about how he hurt his loved one and caused her so much pain because of his addiction. Comments such as these serve as reminders to us that, although gardening and painting may seem trivial at times, we are here for a reason...and that reason is to spend time with these boys and share with them the amazing love of Christ.

Kate and Kyle teaching Cesar English...I love this!

Several of us were walking through the house this afternoon, and happened to walk by the "detox room" while one of the boys was receiving a detox treatment. It made it so real and, even though the boys seem happy and like normal teenagers around us, it reminded us that they are going through a really tough battle right now. Only weeks ago, many of them were just recently admitted to the program and are still currently in the intense stages of detox. Some of the boys have only been there for less than 2 weeks, others nearly 2 months, and others have been living there for 2 years. They are like family, and treat us the same, as well. Tomorrow, we will be working in the morning and then we are visiting a juvenile detention center in the afternoon. We will end our night by visiting the homes of several families from the church, which will be really nice. Anddd I think I'm starting to fall asleep...buenas noches mis amigos :)