For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
I have heard this verse countless times in my life and probably missed its true magnitude just as many times.
When I started street ministry with my group last summer, I was surprised by the fearful reactions of my teammates many times after encountering tough situations. At the time, I attributed it to my own will power and ability, but now I realize that it was the Lord working through me so that I would continue His work. Going out in fear is not an option if He is for me, and He always is.
A few things have happened recently that have sparked this thought train of fear, or lack there of.
First, someone was killed in La Kennedy on a Saturday just hours after we had left. It is someone that I knew and with whom I had talked, eaten, and conversed on numerous occasions, both this year and last summer. I was told that the mareros, or gang members, came into the community and killed him point-blank because he had a tattoo of his name, which conflicted with their inter-gang tattoos. There were no questions asked, no chance for redemption, just murder. Senseless murder on the very ground which I walk twice a week.
A few months ago, I was told by numerous people that La Kennedy is too dangerous, and I would be better off to just not do ministry there anymore. After several days of prayer, I knew that was not the answer. Tighter security and less nonchalance, yes. But to stop going all together was not an option for me, or more importantly, for God. Even with high crime rates and a greater risk, it is still important, necessary even, to serve in La Kennedy.
Similarly, there was a guest speaker during our normal church service last Sunday. For privacy, I will not disclose his name, but he grew up in the streets of Tegucigalpa running with drugs and the infamous MS gang, Mara Salvatrucha. His testimony is powerful and convicting. By heading his own drug business by the age of 13 and stepping into a leadership position in the gang by 16, he was "walking with the devil" on a daily basis. After years of this lifestyle, he was approached by a Christian missionary and introduced to the love of Christ to counteract the love of the gang.
His conviction to our congregation was this: Where were the Christians when I was 9 years old and starting to use cocaine? Where were the Christians when I was 13 and selling drugs? Where were the Christians when I was 15 and committing unspeakable crimes?
Certainly it is not an order to walk blindfolded into the den of a gang, but it is a message about those who are consistently left behind because the danger is seemingly too large and is not worth it. I did a blog months ago titled 'It's not too Late' in respect to Alex and the other boys that we are helping. It is not too late for them to change, nor is it too late for others to change. However, in order to give them the opportunity, they have to first be reached- physically, spiritually, emotionally.
This man, this ex-gang leader, spoke strongly and said, "Do not forget those that are still in hell, those that still walk with the devil."
We must be willing to die for those who are still walking with the devil, and we must trust that the Lord will bring us out of the flames.
It is astounding the amount of encounters I've had with gang members, both present and past, in my time here in Honduras. A gang is no longer a surreal, far away concept that I can think about and not have any strong feelings towards. It is a very real, very dangerous situation, something to be approached with caution and great care, but something to approach nonetheless.
I was born in the clouds. Some were born in the fire. That does not make me better, more important, or more valuable. It only makes me better equipped to walk boldly in the fire, with power, love, and a sound mind, and to give my hand to others who are drowning in that fire.
I continue to go to La Kennedy twice a week to work with Karla, Oscar, Francisco, Elida, Pamela, Carolina, Elias, and all of the other members of their community. My hope is to continue this ministry during my time in Honduras, but I am in need of more support to fulfill that commitment. If you would like to help me financially as I serve in the fire, please give with each of these people in mind. I am looking for support of $75 monthly (from one or numerous donors) in order to bring sporadic meals to the community and for teaching & devotional materials for Oscar and the women of the community.
Thank you for your support in both prayer and finances!
The fastest way to donate is to go to www.worldoutreach.com/donations and find my name in the drop-down box.
If you would like to donate via snail mail, the address can be found on the right hand margin of the webpage.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:8
