Break through
Every Friday
me and about nine other Christians go to a local community called Hamilton
City. The city's residents are mostly
Hispanic who work in the surrounding orchards.
The city
itself does not hold much promise for the present or the future for the youth
in the area. Not having anything
constructive to really be involved in the youth has begun to participate in
gang life. As with most places where there is darkness one finds other things: Drugs, alcohol, and the sex trade are all
alive and well in Hamilton city.
God has spoke to us at YWAM Chico about
this place. When God looks at Hamilton city he sees a truer site then I just
described. God has called Hamilton City the city of Hope, the hope of
salvation. Heaven will rest in that place and go out to light up the
darkness.
In the beginning; God sent us to play
soccer…. funny, I know. For six months the team and I have spent about an hour
and half, to two hours playing soccer with twelve boys. There have been a few
times when the numbers have swelled to twenty boys. As the weeks have gone by we have gotten to know
the boys; however, a barrier still remains.
Two months ago during a prayer time with
the team, we felt like God was leading us to invite the boys from Hamilton City
to the Springs of Living Water where we live. As we prayed for clarity the idea
bloomed from a visit into a day camp. Mike (one of the other team members)
spoke up, and took the lead planning the day camp.
Over the next two months we prayed for the day camp, and the boys who would come to the camp every week. On Fridays during our trip to Hamilton City we shared with the boys about the day camp. The boy's response was not favorable. The boy's said things like "we don’t trust you" or just plan "no". That was hard to hear, but the team kept praying.
Fast forward to last Wednesday, June 18 the
day before the day camp. As far as any of the team knew only one of the boys
from Hamilton City was coming the next day. Thursday morning when the boys arrived
I was surprised to see about 8 boys.
Thursday morning as I approached the group
of boys and some of our team I sensed a difference in the atmosphere surrounding
the group. Normally the prevailing feeling one gets when around the boys is hardness.
A hardness that acts as a barrier to keep others on the outside of their lives.
That day as I approached the group the hardness in the boys was completely
gone.
During the day the boys went on a hike to three cross hill, maneuvered their way thru and obstacle course, and ended it all at the pool with ice cream.
I watched the boys play in, and around the
pool. I was in owe of God's power. These boys who were normally so callas were
just playing like a bunch of 13 year old boys should. As I sat there with thankfulness
welling up in my heart, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me. "Why don’t you
go and get in the water with the boys?"
Those of you who know me know that I am all
about playing ruff in the water. What choice was there really. I pealed off my
shirt, threw off my socks and shoes, and grabbed the nearest boy I could and
tossed him into the water.
For the next two hours we had water fights, and we wrestled in the water. I cannot help but think that for at least a little while these boys knew what it was to have a Dad
