I had a teammate today tell me that he felt God telling him that my life is like a bullet fired from a gun. There was no apparent direction for the shot, in fact he said that it was headed for the crest of a hill, one of the most dangerous places one can aim.
That is exactly how I felt when we got to the neighborhood of San Francisco in Cartagena, Colombia. We lived in the worst area of the city in terms of crime and poverty, but somehow God was telling me I was there on purpose. My first indicator was a Wyoming magnet on the fridge in the youth center where we were staying. The second, was a Wyoming football ball cap worn by one of our hosts friends. I’m not sure how Poke Pride penetrated into the ghetto but I am sure that God gave me these signs as reassurance that he wanted me there.
I was completely out my comfort zone and justifiably so. My wife’s necklace was ripped from her neck in our first hours of being there, multiple gang fights and shootings occurred just blocks from where we stayed, and neighbors partied for 48 hours straight. But images of the people I met will forever be ingrained in my memory and they are the real reason why I ended up in San Francisco.
Meet Alex Rocha:
This man exemplifies the true meaning of a Christ follower. Through teaching English, discipling, and just plain living life with those around him he is changing his neighborhood from the inside out.
Smiley and JJ:
These two jokers are the reason I’m writing this today. They baby sat us for three weeks in their hood. The best part is I think they liked it. JJ is an extremely talented musician and lyrical genius. Smiley would do anything for you at the drop of a hat. Put them together though and you have two rappers, jokesters, body guards, dancers and best friends.
The Rocha Family:
An incredible family formed and placed by the hand of God in our lives. With these people we did laundry, cooked, ate, and took what I like to call “Gringo Parades” through the neighborhood to and from their house.
English Class
I have never been apart of a class where every single student was hungry for the words to fall out of the teacher’s mouth.
Sunday School:
Yes, break dancing is a form of worship.
The Boys:
Playing with trash and turning a dirt mound into a sledding hill is universal when you are a boy.
You see it’s not the places you go it’s the people you meet that reaffirm why God has called you somewhere. My prayer for those pictured above and many others that we met in San Francisco is that our coming to their neighborhood encouraged them to seek Christ. Many fruitful conversations were had and numerous seeds planted so pray for those of San Francisco because the Kingdom of God is advancing.
