My last day in Bolivia was also my favorite day! I was able to visit some of the mothers of “our kidos” in prison. I’ve done some prison ministry back home, but this jail was nothing like any I’ve ever seen or been in before! We had to show ID and then get frisked, but after that we were able to just entered the common area. It was a mad house. It didn’t look like a prison inside. It was a hustling bustling, South American market. Men, women, children, and food were everywhere!
The inmates we visited with were young, but many of them have been in prison for years and have not even been convicted yet! The prison system is not like in the USA. The inmates also have to pay to be in jail, so part of what Jen (the ministry contact I went with) does is make a way for the women to pay their way through their time locked up. They make a lot of crocheted things (hats, scarves, wallets, sweaters…) and then Jen sells their handiwork to the outside world.
I also got to visit the “home” of one of the groups/gangs of homeless kids living in Cochabamba. I wish I had pictures to give you the full visual. I will try to describe it for you.
Hidden away on the side of a hill, secluded within the bushes, was a little lean-two the kids call home. Around 30 street kids live inside of a tiny structure consisting of one brick wall and some tarps and blankets. Inside all there was were three FILTHY beds and piles of dirty clothes. The kids invited me to take a seat, which I hesitated to do because I didn’t want to even touch the gross bedding. I was thinking of all that might be, and very well was, all over it. I could already imagine all the bugs, flees, and lice that I may walk away with. Not wanting to be offensive I did sit down, trying hard to hide my discomfort. The girl next to me was the only female in the group; she was only 15 years old. I couldn’t help but think, as I sat there, how much abuse this poor girl must experienced daily! The thing that stuck out to me most about these kids, other then the fact that they were constantly sniffing glue and continually high, was their scars. The scars that cover their young bodies were both self inflicted cutting scars and the result of abuse from each other, rival gangs, and the corrupt police! The age expectancy for these “kids” (ranging from 8 to 30) is only about 30!
Jen hangs out with these kids daily, just loving on them, driving them places they need to go, and giving basic medical care. Very often Jen is awaken in the middle of the night by a call from one of the kids. Off she goes to rush a stab victim to the hospital for surgery. She is extremely respected amongst this circle and is protected by the kids that she ministers to! Most people won’t even go near where these kids live. They are a dangerous bunch and most of their living money is made off of pick pocketing and robbery.
I saw a lot of filth, suffering, hurt, helplessness, and hopelessness as I visited the prison and the streets! I wanted so bad to love on these kids and explain how they can have purpose and hope in Jesus Christ. I wanted them to know that they don’t have to fight and sniff their troubles away!
All month I’d been playing with orphans. Seeing, and in a tiny way experiencing, the conditions from which they had been pulled made me appreciate Casa De Amor so much more! At least a number of children have been given a new chance in life, an education, and are being raised up in the love of Jesus!
Pray for Casa de Amor, Jen, and the ministry she has with the street kids! I was able to give her some money to help with the constant expenses. I know I say this about almost all ministries, but I could definitely see myself going back there and becoming friends with the street kids and exemplifying the love of Jesus to them! Hanging out with them that afternoon was such a highlight for me and I just kept thinking this is sooo awesome, this is totally where my heart is at, and I would love to learn Spanish and come back here!
