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For those of you who know David and know his story, you understand that it's been a challenge for him to think about or plan for the future. He's one of the guys here who spent the majority of his childhood on the streets. Street kids don't think about what's going to happen tomorrow or the next day. They pretty much live in the moment. David has said more than once that he just thought he would end up dying on the streets, so his future was never something he considered.
As well, David (along with a few of the guys here) has always had a hard time pushing through the difficult times, and understanding that God has a plan and purpose for his life. That good things will happen for him. He tends to want to give up easily. Again, something he learned from the streets.
So it was a huge deal for us when he graduated from high school last year. More than a few times I thought he was done with it all and was going to leave. But with a bit of encouragement (ie. lots of late night conversations about God's will for us and the life he wants to live), he managed to keep going. He has the diploma to prove it too...along with his cap and gown that I paid a deposit on and which he "forgot" to return...
Since then, however, the battle has continued. More than a decade on the streets is not easily overcome. There were still more conversations and moments when I thought David was going to give up. But again, he persevered and I'm happy to say is now a university student! We registered him last Friday. =) He'll be studying Psychology at the Evangelical University here in Santa Cruz.
I wasn’t sure we were going to be able to swing it...that university is fairly expensive by our standards. But then we found out that he might be able to get a soccer scholarship. I took him to talk to the coach to see if there might be a chance for David to try out. David’s kind of out of shape (he hasn’t played in awhile), but he’s still pretty good. The coach was kind of non-committal but said that he could try. After the first practice game, the coach looked over at me and gave me the thumbs up! So that was a happy moment. He gets 25% off his tuition now, which brings it into the range (barely) of what we can afford.
Jorge and I were sitting and waiting for him in the registrars office on Friday, and as he finished up the paperwork, he looked over at us and gave us a big smile. I think he was pretty excited too. He teases me sometimes that I’m his dad...he’s the guy that told me “Happy Grandfather’s Day!” last year on Father’s Day (he has a little girl), and I always correct him and tell him that I’m more like a big brother. =) It’s less weird (I’m way to young to be anyone’s father...right?!). Anyhow, as we drove home I was laughing and telling him that “My boy was a university student now!”. That got a smile too. He starts classes next Monday.
As well, we register another new guy, Eduardo (Paceno) for seminary today. We’ll be moving him into the house and getting him set up this afternoon. He’s a guy that we’ve known for a long time. He came and went from the old boy’s home a few times, before he finally settled down. I don’t remember which Christian School team it was (maybe someone can remind me), but we were visiting street kids one year with YWAM down by the old bus terminal downtown and we saw him. Unfortunately he was high, and not that coherent. But I sat there and listened to him share about everything that was happening to him. At the time I didn’t understand much of what he was saying (and in my defence he wasn’t making much sense), so I just kept encouraging him that he needed to get off the streets. When we left, I prayed for him, and I remember wondering what was going to happen to him. I’d always seen amazing potential in this young guy.
A month or so later, he showed up at the home, but he was a mess. Little by little though, he got cleaned up and began to grow into the gifted young guy he was. He felt that God was leading him into ministry, but kind of ended up getting pushed into an education and job that he really didn’t enjoy. I hadn’t seen him for awhile, but six months or so ago we reconnected and started talking about what he’d really like to do with his life. Over and over, he talked about going to seminary and going into some sort of ministry. The problem was, he hadn’t finished high school and was far enough back that there wasn’t much likelihood that he would.
Last week one of our pastors spoke with the director of our denomination’s seminary and explained the situation. Eduardo was given permission to study there, but classes had already started. I was only just able to get a hold of him late last night to let him know, so today we’re scrambling to get him registered and settled here, so he can start classes tomorrow morning. His life is changing very quickly! =)
As most of you know, there are lots of ups and downs here. It makes it worthwhile, though, when you have these kinds of moments. To see the direction of someone’s life change and to know that they have the opportunity to change their circumstances. It’s exciting to see! Pray for these two young guys though. David was telling me this morning that he’s kind of nervous...which is, of course, normal. But for both him and Eduardo there’s the added baggage of where they’ve come from. That still weighs on them. Pray that they will have peace and wisdom, and that they’ll be motivated to study hard! =) That’s going to be a challenge for both of them as well.
Thanks everyone! I’m still planning on posting some pictures of Andres’ and my trip to La Paz...if I can figure out how to get the pictures off my camera... =)
For those of you who know David and know his story, you understand that it's been a challenge for him to think about or plan for the future. He's one of the guys here who spent the majority of his childhood on the streets. Street kids don't think about what's going to happen tomorrow or the next day. They pretty much live in the moment. David has said more than once that he just thought he would end up dying on the streets, so his future was never something he considered.
As well, David (along with a few of the guys here) has always had a hard time pushing through the difficult times, and understanding that God has a plan and purpose for his life. That good things will happen for him. He tends to want to give up easily. Again, something he learned from the streets.
So it was a huge deal for us when he graduated from high school last year. More than a few times I thought he was done with it all and was going to leave. But with a bit of encouragement (ie. lots of late night conversations about God's will for us and the life he wants to live), he managed to keep going. He has the diploma to prove it too...along with his cap and gown that I paid a deposit on and which he "forgot" to return...
Since then, however, the battle has continued. More than a decade on the streets is not easily overcome. There were still more conversations and moments when I thought David was going to give up. But again, he persevered and I'm happy to say is now a university student! We registered him last Friday. =) He'll be studying Psychology at the Evangelical University here in Santa Cruz.
I wasn’t sure we were going to be able to swing it...that university is fairly expensive by our standards. But then we found out that he might be able to get a soccer scholarship. I took him to talk to the coach to see if there might be a chance for David to try out. David’s kind of out of shape (he hasn’t played in awhile), but he’s still pretty good. The coach was kind of non-committal but said that he could try. After the first practice game, the coach looked over at me and gave me the thumbs up! So that was a happy moment. He gets 25% off his tuition now, which brings it into the range (barely) of what we can afford.
Jorge and I were sitting and waiting for him in the registrars office on Friday, and as he finished up the paperwork, he looked over at us and gave us a big smile. I think he was pretty excited too. He teases me sometimes that I’m his dad...he’s the guy that told me “Happy Grandfather’s Day!” last year on Father’s Day (he has a little girl), and I always correct him and tell him that I’m more like a big brother. =) It’s less weird (I’m way to young to be anyone’s father...right?!). Anyhow, as we drove home I was laughing and telling him that “My boy was a university student now!”. That got a smile too. He starts classes next Monday.
As well, we register another new guy, Eduardo (Paceno) for seminary today. We’ll be moving him into the house and getting him set up this afternoon. He’s a guy that we’ve known for a long time. He came and went from the old boy’s home a few times, before he finally settled down. I don’t remember which Christian School team it was (maybe someone can remind me), but we were visiting street kids one year with YWAM down by the old bus terminal downtown and we saw him. Unfortunately he was high, and not that coherent. But I sat there and listened to him share about everything that was happening to him. At the time I didn’t understand much of what he was saying (and in my defence he wasn’t making much sense), so I just kept encouraging him that he needed to get off the streets. When we left, I prayed for him, and I remember wondering what was going to happen to him. I’d always seen amazing potential in this young guy.
A month or so later, he showed up at the home, but he was a mess. Little by little though, he got cleaned up and began to grow into the gifted young guy he was. He felt that God was leading him into ministry, but kind of ended up getting pushed into an education and job that he really didn’t enjoy. I hadn’t seen him for awhile, but six months or so ago we reconnected and started talking about what he’d really like to do with his life. Over and over, he talked about going to seminary and going into some sort of ministry. The problem was, he hadn’t finished high school and was far enough back that there wasn’t much likelihood that he would.
Last week one of our pastors spoke with the director of our denomination’s seminary and explained the situation. Eduardo was given permission to study there, but classes had already started. I was only just able to get a hold of him late last night to let him know, so today we’re scrambling to get him registered and settled here, so he can start classes tomorrow morning. His life is changing very quickly! =)
As most of you know, there are lots of ups and downs here. It makes it worthwhile, though, when you have these kinds of moments. To see the direction of someone’s life change and to know that they have the opportunity to change their circumstances. It’s exciting to see! Pray for these two young guys though. David was telling me this morning that he’s kind of nervous...which is, of course, normal. But for both him and Eduardo there’s the added baggage of where they’ve come from. That still weighs on them. Pray that they will have peace and wisdom, and that they’ll be motivated to study hard! =) That’s going to be a challenge for both of them as well.
Thanks everyone! I’m still planning on posting some pictures of Andres’ and my trip to La Paz...if I can figure out how to get the pictures off my camera... =)
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