Gang fights, theft, kids smoking marijuana, neglected children; this is the neighborhood of San Francisco.
The streets here look like they could be off of one of those sponsor a child commercials, and what happens here is so foreign to all of us and so shocking that there are usually no words to say except ‘that’s really sad’.
The children are neglected by their parents at a very young age, they don’t get shoes or new clothing so they have to find it from the trash. Since most of the kids don’t get affection at home they turn somewhere else which, for the boys, is the neighborhood gang, and for the girls it’s prostitution. All of this usually starts at around age 12 or 13 for these kids and it’s just a way of life here.
Almost every night there are cops out trying to resolve an argument that usually has escalated to full on fighting between the neighborhood gangs.
But there are a few shining lights here. Our host Alex is from the next neighborhood over and has started his ministry in San Francisco to help bring the people (mostly the children) out of the bondage that they’re in. Since the people from Alex’s neighborhood and the people from San Francisco have a hatred towards each other, he and his family are flat out putting their lives in danger for the kingdom. Alex spends his time making relationships with the kids in the neighborhood while his daughters hold English classes at the youth center.
I’ve been so inspired this month so far by Alex and his family in what it means to take a risk for the kingdom of God. Please pray for their family and for the community here. All the children need here is love so they can see that they are worth more than what this community says they are.
Sent from my iPod
