Through the Eyes of Jesús

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 18:3

Have you ever wondered if children have something to say about poverty? Have you ever wondered if they might have something to say about the injustices of the world? What would change in our perceptions of poverty and our judgments about the poor if we viewed them through the eyes of children?

Located on a steep hillside named Jasmín, in homes of cardboard, tin, fragments of cement, and wood, subject to seasonal mudslides, hundreds of children simply exist. One of these is a 12-year old boy named Jesús. In his world, sickness, hunger, lack of education and many social problems dominate.

God is actively working to redeem this community and the families who live there! Doors have been opened, allowing us to build a small, very basic yellow house with a wood floor and a good roof. Already, houses have been constructed for 10% of these families. In December, we will undertake our most ambitious project ever – building 12 houses in 12 days – and provide scholarship opportunities and tutoring for children living in those houses!

Unbelievable changes are going to take place right in front of our eyes. Can you imagine watching these changes unfold through the eyes of children? What would it be like to experience the trials and triumphs as you walk in their shoes?

“Through the Eyes of Jesús” is a project giving you a front row seat as these changes unfold. Through the photographic eyes of Jesús, featured kids will become our gateway into their community – illuminating the life of their families, their neighbors, their churches and joining them on their real-life journeys. We will follow the lives of these courageous children through photos and videos as they tell their stories and participate in changing their community.

We have purchased a digital camera and have been training Jesús in the use of this camera. He possesses a good artistic sense for composition. By giving him additional skills and means of photography, we hope that he will be able to explore his surroundings and understand his relationship to it, and perhaps discover some technical and interpersonal skills that he can put to practical use some day.

Jesús is a unique young boy who easily connects with others. And he "gets things" most 12-year olds do not. The normal routines of daily life in a place like Jasmín give him insights that even most adults don't have. It will be interesting to see how God uses him, and what he has to say about poverty, his Gringo friends, and God's work in Jasmín -- as seen through his eyes, the eyes of Jesús.

Stay tuned!

Jesús lives with his mother Eli Rodriguez and two younger brothers, Isaac and Jordy. Note the mud floor in their “living room” and the plastic covering their one stuffed chair.

Mom and Isaac prepare an evening meal. Photos by Jesús, Nov. 14 2008.