What an incredible day we had at Brazos Abiertos (Open Arms). Let me tell you a little about this amazing ministry. It is a working dairy farm in San Pedro that was started 20 years ago by missionaries who wanted to do something about the street children of Medellin. The boys are first brought to a home in the city where they earn trust and assimilate into a home atmosphere. When they are ready, they can go live at the farm where they are cared for and loved on, given an education, taught technical skills and most importantly are exposed to a life with Jesus.
We enjoyed the day getting to know the boys, goofing around with them and seeing the farm. We met a young man who is a graduate of the program named Jose Pablo. He has an incredible story of God's redemption in his life. As a seven year old he was forced to sell chiclets on the street. He wasn't allowed to go to school or use any of the money for food for himself. If he didn't sell the whole box that day, his step father met him with a beating. One day when he was ten he used some of the money to get himself something to eat because he was sent out each day without food. Again, he was met with a beating. He decided to runaway, thinking a life on the streets had to be better than living with his step father. After two months on the streets of Medellin, a man saw him and took him to his house. He cleaned him up, fed him and gave him clothes (sound like a familiar story?). The next day he took him to Brazos Abiertos. A story that could have ended in tragedy, God has redeemed and has used for good. Juan Pablo is now working at the farm serving the Lord and the boys that are there now. He has the desire to attend University next year where he will specialize in Psychology so that he can better help the boys with their problems. What an inspiration he was to us.
As I played with the boys, I fought back the tears. Looking into their eyes and knowing that these were once considered "throw away" children. Someone, somewhere had decided to abandon these precious lives. With our Maker, no one is ever beyond help or considered a "throw away". We are all precious in His sight. I am so thankful for loving people who have made a difference in the lives of those who can't fend for themselves, giving these boys a second chance at life. They have forever left an imprint on my heart.
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