Welcome to San Juan! Our team has been chosen to minister in the slums, the poorest area of San Juan. In 1998, a hurricane took parts of SJ by complete destruction. The slums were one of them. An area where child abuse, drug abuse and crime are rampant, the people of SJ believe the hurricane was a result of Gods punishment on the community. Before 1998 the presence of drugs and absence of God was significantly higher than now. In no way would Christians like ourselves be able to walk around and evangelize. Although crime, drugs and abuse is still very real and present, the amount has declined drastically since 1998, but still has a great negative effect on the safety and well-being of the community today.
There are few men who are raising up the community in faith, but many men who are taking the initiative to raise the population in number. Sexuality is introduced to children around 5-years old, as the entire family sleeps in the same bed, thus whatever the parents do the children see. It is normal for young boys and girls around 11 to be thinking sexually towards the opposite sex.
As I sit here complaining about cold bucket showers, greasy food, filthy air and the constraints of living in community with 50+ people, I daily become reminded and humbled by the reality of these people. It is nothing that I will do to help these people, but everything God will use me to do. I have no strength to help raise up the community of SJ in truth, but the strength of God can do mighty things.
