On Monday morning, Jesús accompanied the team on our tour of some of CCA’s ministries -- the Men’s and Women’s Restoration Centers, the Home for Elderly Men, and the Children’s Feeding Centers.
One of the most powerful moments came when we asked the men at the Center, “What advice would you have for a young boy? What would you want to say to Jesús?” Here’s what they had to say:
“One of the saddest things, what hurts the most is seeing kids in places like Las Tablas. Living there, doing drugs -- ten and eleven-year olds. It’s so evil. Just like hell. That’s the only way to describe it. How old are you, Jesús?”
Jesús: “I’m twelve.”
“Say ‘No!’ Because you need to know how much you will suffer. It’s easy to get into it. I have ten years now trying to get out of there. I have only fifteen days of being here. For ten years, I was trying to get free of that. They are going to offer it to you as a wonderful thing. But it is a trick. Don’t ever try it. That’s my advice. As nice as it looks. Maybe some nice young girl will come to you, a very beautiful girl, and offer it to you. Don’t be deceived. It’s very tricky. That’s what happened to me. Turn around and walk the other way.”
Then Marco spoke. Marco’s been in the Center before. He almost finished the program but went back on the streets. He had actually helped build Jesús’ home (one of our Smart Model Yellow Houses), and he said, “I know Jesús. I’ve been up in Jasmín. And I worked by your side. You’ve grown. You’re the oldest of your brothers, aren’t you? You are a good boy. You have a wonderful mom. Your little brothers will follow your lead. Be a good example for them. I can see -- you are close to the Lord now. Stay there. Never take it even once. God bless you.”
Later, we asked Jesús about his impressions of the day. He said, “I felt very good about going with you in the van and being a part of it. What I liked most was the time when the people from the Men’s Center encouraged me. And it was also encouraging to see them there, trying to help themselves get out of drugs. And I wanted to cry when the young girl at the Women’s Center (15 years old) said she had lived in the streets, slept on cardboard . . . and how she had been abused. It was sad.”
We asked Jesús if he knew any people like those he met in the Centers? “Yes, there are some in Jasmín. I knew the father of the girls -- Vanessa, Maria and Mariela. He used to live in their house. Rosa (their mother) and Gerardo (their father) would both go off to work, and the three girls would stay in my house. Then one day I saw him when he was in the streets using drugs. And we saw him sleeping on cardboard in the streets. Yes, I guess I know someone like that.”
Is he fearful that someday he might fall into that trap? “No, absolutely not. I wouldn’t be in a situation like that . . . ever! No one has offered it to me yet. When I am walking the streets, there are people smoking, doing drugs. I don’t even like the smell. No, I won’t do that!”
Do you think that you are poor? He thought about it for a moment and then said, “Yes.” What do you think you can do to improve your situation? “Finish my studies. Study a profession, one I like. I can do it. I like to study. I get good grades. I didn’t have to go to school the last couple of weeks because my teacher said I had done well and I didn’t need to.” We encouraged Jesús to pursue the tutoring opportunities we’re providing. And if he’ll work hard and apply himself, there are scholarships available. But he needs to do his part.
Does it make him sad to see Vanessa, Maria and Mariela in a house like they have? “Yes, sure. When my mom would go away, I used to go and stay at their house. And water would come in -- the house would be full of water. When the rain would start, their mom and everyone would start putting buckets in different places where the rain was coming in.” What a childhood memory.
One of the most powerful moments came when we asked the men at the Center, “What advice would you have for a young boy? What would you want to say to Jesús?” Here’s what they had to say:
“One of the saddest things, what hurts the most is seeing kids in places like Las Tablas. Living there, doing drugs -- ten and eleven-year olds. It’s so evil. Just like hell. That’s the only way to describe it. How old are you, Jesús?”
Jesús: “I’m twelve.”
“Say ‘No!’ Because you need to know how much you will suffer. It’s easy to get into it. I have ten years now trying to get out of there. I have only fifteen days of being here. For ten years, I was trying to get free of that. They are going to offer it to you as a wonderful thing. But it is a trick. Don’t ever try it. That’s my advice. As nice as it looks. Maybe some nice young girl will come to you, a very beautiful girl, and offer it to you. Don’t be deceived. It’s very tricky. That’s what happened to me. Turn around and walk the other way.”
Then Marco spoke. Marco’s been in the Center before. He almost finished the program but went back on the streets. He had actually helped build Jesús’ home (one of our Smart Model Yellow Houses), and he said, “I know Jesús. I’ve been up in Jasmín. And I worked by your side. You’ve grown. You’re the oldest of your brothers, aren’t you? You are a good boy. You have a wonderful mom. Your little brothers will follow your lead. Be a good example for them. I can see -- you are close to the Lord now. Stay there. Never take it even once. God bless you.”
Later, we asked Jesús about his impressions of the day. He said, “I felt very good about going with you in the van and being a part of it. What I liked most was the time when the people from the Men’s Center encouraged me. And it was also encouraging to see them there, trying to help themselves get out of drugs. And I wanted to cry when the young girl at the Women’s Center (15 years old) said she had lived in the streets, slept on cardboard . . . and how she had been abused. It was sad.”
We asked Jesús if he knew any people like those he met in the Centers? “Yes, there are some in Jasmín. I knew the father of the girls -- Vanessa, Maria and Mariela. He used to live in their house. Rosa (their mother) and Gerardo (their father) would both go off to work, and the three girls would stay in my house. Then one day I saw him when he was in the streets using drugs. And we saw him sleeping on cardboard in the streets. Yes, I guess I know someone like that.”
Is he fearful that someday he might fall into that trap? “No, absolutely not. I wouldn’t be in a situation like that . . . ever! No one has offered it to me yet. When I am walking the streets, there are people smoking, doing drugs. I don’t even like the smell. No, I won’t do that!”
Do you think that you are poor? He thought about it for a moment and then said, “Yes.” What do you think you can do to improve your situation? “Finish my studies. Study a profession, one I like. I can do it. I like to study. I get good grades. I didn’t have to go to school the last couple of weeks because my teacher said I had done well and I didn’t need to.” We encouraged Jesús to pursue the tutoring opportunities we’re providing. And if he’ll work hard and apply himself, there are scholarships available. But he needs to do his part.
Does it make him sad to see Vanessa, Maria and Mariela in a house like they have? “Yes, sure. When my mom would go away, I used to go and stay at their house. And water would come in -- the house would be full of water. When the rain would start, their mom and everyone would start putting buckets in different places where the rain was coming in.” What a childhood memory.
1 comment:
It is such wonderful work being done here in Costa Rica. The kids are so precious and loving. They try to give you what they have. Sunday, while we were walking through Jasmin, I was given two Hanna Montanna stickers from different kids, just for giving them a hug. The feelings that go along with that are indescribable. The love they have for us and the lord, makes me feel as if my life is insignificant. We have seen such tragedy, and such hope all at the same time.
Shelly
Post a Comment