The week before Christmas we had a summer camp for kids in a gang-infested neighborhood. They were from the ages of 2-14 years old and all just looking for something to do during the day. We played games, taught devotionals, sang songs, and hung out with the kids for 4 days. Each day we came back the happier the kids would get, they would chase our bus down the street and greeted us all, and each day before we left they asked us when we would be coming back.
I remember when we first got there the thought of being outside for 5 hours with no shade and the weather being anywhere from 90-100 degrees didn’t seem like the must fun thing to do. But after that first day, I was excited to go back. I think we played little sally walker and red rover more times than I would like to admit.
We were growing relationships with these kids and showing love to them and they just wanted some people to hang out with during their summer vacation. The last day we planned a Christmas Eve Concert, and asked all the children to invite their parents. It was around 6 O’clock when we had all the kids sing ‘Our God is an Awesome God’ which we had been practicing through out the week. Then a few of our teammates started their own band and sang a bunch of Christmas Carols, Claudia sang a Beautiful ‘Oh Holy night’ and then we were singing the next carol and starting to light candles for everyone, and you heard 2 gun shots go off. The kids and parents where gone before you could even know what was happening. A few stayed back because they were not too worried. Of course us Americans didn’t really understand what was going on and didn’t hear anything because of the speakers and the band. They didn’t want to scare us so they weren’t very clear on what happened.
We started to pack up and we all stood together and started praying, that’s when one of our leaders told us that two rival gangs were shooting at each other; right at the other end of the field. That’s when a few of our teammates got scared, but overall there was just heartache for the community. We drove off all trying to process what went down.
My heart hurts for that’s community knowing that this was not something that was a surprise. They all knew what to do and where to go. They weren’t upset or sad, this was just a normal night for them. I am keeping those kids in my prayers, I pray for change, their future, and their safety. I am actually grateful that we got to be there. I know that God loves those people so much, and he was there protecting us. I know that he is hurting from the pain but I have faith he has his hand in that area and change will come.
Pray for that community, those families, and those gang members. The sad reality after talking to all those kids is that they have almost all seen a dead body and I don’t wish that upon anyone. Everyone deserves better they should get change.
Stay weird,
Laurie xx
