Bracelet Bandits

Not trying to brag but my group is so awesome. They are from California - Jeff Vines church to be exact. Funny story - another intern told us he went to Jeff Vines church and then when the group got there, he told us that was his church. Well, the group leader told me his name was Jeff and I didn't think anything of it but then he said he was the pastor - I freaked out, so stinking excited. I finally asked him and he laughed saying that I had the wrong Jeff.

We went to Ansefoleur and did a VBS. We held it on the roof which was a new and cool experience. They played tug of war and had a rock, paper, scissors tournament. For the kids that didn't get in, Jeff went and shared with them the story of Jesus. We traveled to the monument and temple. In the temple, there was a woman praying fervently. She captivated our hearts and we just kept praying louder and louder as she grew more and more passionate. This afternoon, Hannah, Ashley and I visited the jail. One of the boys from yesterday didn't want to accept Jesus but today, he said it was time. It was so awesome and he was excited. He told us he would see us at church on Sunday. His wife is pregnant and is going to come to the mission to have the baby this month. We told him to ask for us and that we would come down and visit. His wife took the track we gave him and he wanted another so he could actually read it. We ended up spending two hours there.

On the way back, this boy was crying the whole way with us. We stopped to talk and he told us his story. Through broken words and tears, he told us his parents died in the earthquake and had been homeless ever since. Somehow, he managed to hop on buses until he landed in St. Louis. He has been hungry and homeless for the past month and some of the bracelet bandits have been watching out for him. I knew those boys were awesome! We talked to Magadala and she told us our options. The only real option was for him to move to Salines Mayette and live in the orphanage. She discussed what that meant with him and asked him if he knew Jesus. Every so many questions, she would stop and ask if he was lying to keep his story straight. He is 12 years old and named Fritzson. He has a great heart and just wants a home. He said that the orphanage was something he would like. Us girls went and talked to Junior to discuss whether that could actually happen. We are praying that there is space and it is possible for this to happen. We are praying and knowing that God will provide a sponsor for him too. Hannah immediately agreed to do so but wasn't totally sure on finances so we are trusting that God will provide and the best outcome will happen. Hopefully tomorrow we will have an answer and maybe when my group goes out next week, he will be going with us to stay.