Vale La Pena

How it looked yesterday.

This is a picture of some land in El Callejon.  It’s kind of a mess, it looks somewhat deserted, it is overgrown and just kind of sitting there. 

But, we'll tell you a secret… this land is actually where the new Social Work site is going to be built! 

So, even though right now it doesn’t look like much, one day, Si Dios Quiere (the Lord willing) it will be filled with life and joy and Jesus!

The people of El Callejon are often viewed in the same way as this property.  Their lives are messy, and a lot of times seem to go nowhere.  But… like our land, they, too, can be filled.  Filled with hope, with new skills, with fun and fellowship, and yes, with Jesus! 

The work begins!!

Our new site is going to take a lot of work.  Construction here isn’t like construction back in the US.  Today Hans and his guys were out there with picks, manually hacking the outline for the walls.  After a night and morning of rain, the sun beat down, turning the humid air uncomfortably hot. 

The lines spray-painted on the weeds in front of them seemed to stretch out, and each strike of their picks made only a small mark in the earth.  And, even after this is carved out, there will be many more back-breaking days ahead. 

A lot of times this is how our work in the Social Work site can feel, too.  We struggle and strive, at times wondering if we’re making a difference.           

There’s phrase in Spanish, ‘vale la pena’, which means, ‘worthwhile’ or ‘worth the penalty’.  It’s used when something is going to cause a lot of pain or trouble, but is valued enough to be worth it.  That’s what this site is.  And, that’s what the lives of the people of El Callejon are.  Of infinite value because they are made so by our Savior. 

Our Savior, Jesus, who considered miserable, fallen, sin-filled humanity worth it.  More, He considered obeying His Father’s will worth the ultimate pain, death and separation from God. 

Compared to that, what we do is small indeed.  But, our prayer is, just as this piece of overgrown property is transformed into a place of beauty and joy, so, too, the lives of the women, teens and girls will continue to be transformed as they meet Jesus.    

The majority of the funds to make this possible were given by Christ-followers in the US who have visited El Callejon and shared their lives with the people there.  Thank you for using your blessings to bless us! 

We are so grateful for each person who has been involved to this point, and look forward to being able to welcome even more of you to share in ministry in our new site. 

We hope you’ll check back under our New Site tab often to see updates as we go – and grow!  What an amazing God we serve!!  To Him belongs all the glory!