One of the kids I fell in love with last year was an eight year old boy named Elvin. Within the community Elvin is one of those kids who is constantly in trouble. He is always fighting with people and talking back to other members of the New Song staff. His home is located right next to the entrance of the church and is the center of all gang activity in Candelaria. If no one is able to reach him, he will certainly follow in the footsteps of his family.
When I met Elvin, I didn’t know any of these things. I just knew that he was an eight year old that loved playing baseball with me and had the sweetest laugh I’ve ever heard. Despite the fact that he was always fighting with others and was always in trouble, he was completely different around me. Every day when I left New Song’s property to walk the streets of the village headed to the market or to visit friends’ homes, I passed Elvin’s house. Every time I passed his house, Elvin would come running out into the street, wrap his arms tightly around my waist in a huge hug, and ask how I was doing. Once he greeted me, he would run back into the yard smiling and waving.
I know that God has given me a window of opportunity to reach out to Elvin, to love him, and to speak to his heart in a way that no one else can. The entire past year I have been praying that I wouldn’t miss out on this window of opportunity. I have been praying that when I returned he wouldn’t have put on this tough, hardened façade that all of the teenagers here wear.
For days I had been searching for Elvin in the village praying that I still had the chance to reach out to him, that we still had that special connection. I have been sending him letters and photos periodically throughout this past year
just continuing to let him know that I love him and am thinking of him. I have encouraged him in the choices that he makes and continuing to study in school.
One evening as we were walking a couple of the girls to their home, I saw Diego (a member of New Song’s staff) talking to a young boy on the street. As it turned out, this boy was Elvin’s older brother. Diego had sent him to find Elvin and to tell him to come to the church because I wanted to see him.
About 15 minutes later, I look up to see a small boy peeking around the doorframe of the house. My face lights up and I wave at Elvin. Immediately he runs over to me and wraps his arms tightly around my neck. We spent the next couple of hours laughing and playing games until he had to go home for the night. After that, Elvin would come to the church every afternoon to play games with me. I spent my afternoons pouring out love on him, playing soccer, and laughing a lot.
I am still in need of financial support to be able to return and minister in Candelaria. Please help me out by becoming a one-time or monthly supporter. To give online, click here.
