Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The harsh reality of our "job"



We have come to love many of the families and children that we work with in Armenia Bonito. With that comes the reality of what many of them have to live through. Many children are living in conditions we would consider unlivable. Some children go to bed hungry and alone every night. Many children do not have parents to hug them when they hurt. The majority of the families are single mothers trying to raise large families. Our "job" in all of this is to love them all, and show them what Christ's love is all about.

Recently our teams finished construction on a house for Argentina and her children. Sixteen year old Juan, her 2nd eldest son, worked diligently along-side our team and worked very hard to ensure the house was built well for his family. We just found our that Juan has been killed. Over a year ago Juan got in a fight with a boy and hurt the boy pretty badly. The brother of that boy showed up at Juan's new home early Sunday morning with a machete. He dragged Juan down to the river and killed him. The community of Armenia Bonito rallied together and held a vigil for Juan, and then had a service on Monday. We visited his body as it laid out at the family's newly completed house. We hugged and kissed his mother. It is very sad knowing Juan was not a Christian, and knowing that he had such a passion and love for life. Please be in prayer for his family.

9 comments:

Dannie said...

Mike and I talked about this this morning. It's so very sad. We will be praying for Juan's family.

Unknown said...

Absolutely broken hearted. What a horrible way to die and how devastating for his mother. Im praying for his family and for you and the team as you grieve and minister to them.

Jim White said...

I am sick at heart. I had hoped to begin a conversation with Juan via email through you. Please tell Argentina of our love for her and of our heartbreak for her loss.

Anonymous said...

I'm really sorry to read this.

J. Seth Wallace said...

I'm so sorry guys. I know this must be a very difficult thing to "work" through given the complexities or relationship/ministry. May God give you words to speak and grace of presence as you live out the Gospel.

The McClain's said...

So sorry guys...May Christ be proclaimed boldly through this tough and difficult time. Love you all. Brooke :)

ORANGEHOUSE said...

This is tragic. I am so sorry for the pain you are going through and for the family.

Cindy in California said...

How tragic for this family, the community and those of you who work with them. It is indeed, a sad reality of your job. I am so sorry and will be praying for this sad situation.

Rebecca Conduff Aguirre said...

Such a sad story...so sorry. :(