I think this goes under the heading of “otras cosas”, because it wasn’t something we planned, but we were invited, and when you’re new to a country it’s a good idea to accept invitations. You get to do the most amazing things.
So, this last weekend we went further south than I’ve been in the Baja, to a small town (pueblita) called Jaramillo. There is another Esperanza center there, a drug rehab very much like the one we have here in Tijuana. The youth group from our local church was also there, we were joining them on their mission trip. A big event had been planned. There was entertainment, and music and preaching. People lined up for a meal, and we gave out despensas and gifts that we had assembled early that day in one of the local churches.
It was all so familiar.
But… let me start at the beginning. The Esperanza center, part of the network which includes the center here in TJ, is a bit south of town. There is a men’s section with about 110 men in it, and right by it a section for teens with 17 young men. Esperanza is where they find the help they need to get off of drugs and find Christ.
We talked to a man who works at the youth center. He started out in the drug center, and now has been clean for three years. He was from southern Mexico and was really into the drug and gang life. After his cousin was killed he realized he had to leave that area and go into the drug rehab– he couldn’t stay where he was, he would have been killed.
These rehab centers rely completely on donations of every kind. They didn’t want to tell us what they might need, saying we should let the Spirit lead us. They gracefully accept what help they receive, and make do with what they don’t get, but there is lots of room for help of various kinds.
The main event occurred that evening in a park in town, next to the soccer fields (in use) and the baseball diamond, we used the outfield as a parking lot. On stage, there was Christian drama to start, then praise music, then preaching. The preacher had a puppet, he was funny and very engaging. There was an invitation, more than a dozen people went forward.
During the even I talked to a man from far southern Mexico who was a member of a native tribe there. He had a long list of family members who had been killed, he said his tribe was very violent, and he decided to move away before it was his turn. He said he left everything. But he also said the only way for him, or any of his tribe to get Jesus is to leave, Jesus is not welcome where his tribe lives.
Then there was giving out despensas and hot dogs. Bev organized the line, I (Steve) was part of the “hot dog assembly line”. Don’t laugh, when you have hundreds of people to serve, a little organization is a good thing. Though I admit, in the midst of opening hot dog buns and putting them on a napkin for the “hot dog putter inner” I had visions of Luci and Ethel in the assembly line in a chocolate factory.
The next morning at church the jovenes (young people) from out church were leading the music. The church music here is loud and joyful. Preaching is done with voice and conviction. Another invitation, ten to twelve people went forward, there was praying and crying and hugging.
After lunch we headed back home to TJ, along with three men who needed to be home for work on Monday morning. It was a great way to spend a weekend.
SJ
Barefoot missionaries 