Hard Pressed On Every Side

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Published: Monday, 04 April 2011 15:46

Written by Marco Soria

Hard pressed… that is how I feel right now…  As a Christian… and marrying a missionary, I thought I’d be able to help and encourage her in the ministry standing on the sidelines… but I was mistaken…  When God united our lives, He wanted us to complement each other and thus strengthen the ministry.  GOD KNEW that uniting one life – shaped in a Christian family, breathing and transpiring love, purity, goodness, responsibility, work ethic and discipline from their pores – with another life – Christian – but with a background seeped in academics, materialism, overflowing with sin, evil, insensitive and cruel – He would achieve the perfect combination for a working with street kids…   They are “special” kids – because in order to work with them you can’t just have love, a good heart and dedication – you also need to know the way they think and feel in different situations, firmness, discernment and caution.

After understanding this (four years ago), I started volunteering at El Jordan to work with the guys – and you could see the need for this work – as the numbers and interest grew every year.  The need for more space and more workshop options developed into an urgent need.

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Lemon and Sugar Isn't Just for Lemonaide

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Published: Thursday, 24 March 2011 15:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

Marco and Eulogio went to pick up a donation from a well known restaurant today…  Eulogio was taken through the kitchen… and drooled over the whole roasted pig on the counter… countless salads… all kinds of meat… ymmm…

Our donation?  Used oil… bits of fat that can be boiled down for lard… pieces of tongue (the parts they don’t use for their specialty)… pieces of boiled pig skin… scraps of mixed meat/bones/fat…  left over bones taken out of a soup and a few duck necks!!!

Well… it ended up being a prize for all the girls that came to class today… Even the teacher took home some oil!  We gave the girls all plastic bags, divided it all up…  they were thrilled!!!  One of them thought she might even munch on some on her way home…

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What is El Jordán All About Anyway?

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Published: Tuesday, 22 March 2011 15:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

What is El Jordán all about anyways?

We exist for those who have been on the streets (addictions, delinquency) – or those on the verge of falling into that trap – yet WANT TO CHANGE.  We first desire to point them towards Christ, the One who forgives sins and offers new life and hope… We also offer integral help – guiding them towards learning how to use/save money, respect, live under authority, hygiene, being a family and so much more…  It’s almost like we become their family…walking alongside of them as they grow (and sometimes stumble) and learn…

How long do we, should we  “walk along side of them”?

How long do you walk alongside your child?  You teach him to take increasing responsibility until he can walk by himself - in all senses of the word - which might be 18 years or so...  For “our kids”, although they are adults, the “walking by themselves” takes a while because they lack basic life skills – or have warped survival skills which aren’t biblical or healthy…

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God Listens to Our Every Prayer...

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Published: Thursday, 17 February 2011 16:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

Sometimes it might seem that we pray… and pray... and pray… and maybe we even begin to wonder whether God is really listening or cares…

This year at El Jordan we are encouraging the girls to write down the requests that are shared… so we can look back later and see how God has answered…  Isaac prayed for a son for 20 years…  Elizabeth and Zachariah prayed for a family for even longer… …what a reminder not to grow weary and give up!

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Years ago, my dad would pray as he made a point of walking through the downtown market where he was burdened and saddened by the lost and trapped street kids.  Realizing his ministry commitments didn’t allow for him to give more time elsewhere, he prayed… “Lord, please send someone to work with these kids…”  Years later as I introduced my parents to “my kids” in that same market, my dad told me about his silent prayers… answered…

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