Spying Out the Land

Today (Friday) we ventured onto the streets to prepare ourselves for our work amongst he street children next week. We had opportunity to meet those who co-ordinate the work, and spent much time in prayer as we began to realise the vastness of the task facing the team. Sharon Humphries and Joscelyn Bell recall the day...

Nerves crept in as we travelled to the drop-in centre, but they were quickly settled when we were greeted by the friendly faces of a few of the local Mexicans who run the centre. After a long walk we arrived to the first of the four sites we were scheduled to visit. We were greeted by visions of squallor and destitution. Everyone was in disbelief. We then found a clearing where Andrew Agnew led us in a time of prayer and meditation. A verse that touched the hearts of many of the team members was Lamentations 2 v 21: 'Young and old lie together in the dust of the streets; my young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered them without pity.'

We walked a little further and on the way to the second stop met two street kids begging on a crossing bridge. Andrew, who knew the kids, introduced us to the two brothers who had been living on the streets for around fifteen years. A third kid then asked the team why we had come to Mexico, and then answered his own question by saying that he knew that we had come to show them Gods love. Even though he knew these facts he still continues to live on the streets on drugs. Sharon asked the kid that, if he had one wish, what would it be. He replied saying that he would wish there would be no streets kids or violence towards them. While walking back to the centre we prayed individually, we had seen a lot and had much to think about and pray for.

After lunch we returned to the streets, and travelled by bus to an area near the Basilica which had been previously used by a group of street kids who were well known to the missionaries. Andrew explained that many of these kids had committed suicide and their friends found their loss very difficult. The missionaries had also struggled with this loss and recalled how they had been asked to provide support at a hospital or a funeral. This group originally went to the church in Santa Monica but have become spiritually hard and the two remaining members have moved away.

After more travelling on the Metro and by bus, plus lots of walking, we came to our last stop. This was fairly close to the drop-in centre and proved that " Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy" Psalm 126 v 5-6. Alex and Pati have been in contact with this group three times per week and have begun to see fruit for their labours. We met three friends. One had left the streets but had returned because of his addiction to drugs, the second is off the streets and says he will never go back. The third, who self-harms, has family who live nearby but he refuses to return home.

The group that these people belong to now attend the drop-in centre on their own inititive and it is very evident that Alex, Pati and the missionary team have built up a strong trusting relationship with them.

Before returning to the drop-in centre we prayed that more local Mexicans would make a long term commitment to providing practical and spiritual support for these kids. Andrew also asked us to pray that the kids would have the strength and grace to leave the streets, and they would realise that change must start in their hearts.