Lisa
What results have you seen so far?

Karen
So far, eleven kids have come to know the Lord. They are the ones we see most frequently through the 3-day per week homework sessions. The extra time has allowed us to develop the deepest relationships with these kids, and this is where the real fruit of the ministry has occurred.

Lisa
Briefly share some of their stories.

Karen
One of the first to become a Christian broke down in tears when one of the volunteers shared a word from the Lord about a painful aspect of his life.  He cried out that he wanted God’s love, and the volunteer leaders prayed with him. His decision was more of an emotional decision, and he knows he needs to learn more and make changes in his life.

Another teen has come consistently to all the Bible studies and has had lots of questions. His hunger for the Word grew, and his decision was more thought out. To this day, he’s remained consistent and has been reading the Bible everyday.

Lisa
What are the biggest challenges?

Karen
Consistency: They come and then they don’t come. Some little thing will make them mad and they won’t show for two months. It makes the process slow. Also, you never know what kind of mood they’re in. Some families make their kids go, but their friends talk them into other plans. Or they just come for food, and if there’s no food, they leave. The good thing is they come back when the things of the world depress them. They always come back.

Another student who gave His life to the Lord has trouble with reading comprehension. He doesn’t read the Bible or anything else because he doesn’t understand what he reads. Over the summer, we did a study on the life and teachings of Jesus by using the Jesus film. Now I’m trying to find the book of Acts in visual format so he can continue studying.

Lisa
And how do the ups and downs challenge you personally?

Karen
After two years [of volunteering] I want the best for these kids. You see them coming and going... they take two steps forward, two back, and then three steps forward. You know progress is being made because God saves them and perfects His work in their lives, but it’s hard to watch. Sometimes I think, “You’ve heard this over and over, but you still haven’t decided.”

Lisa
What is the future vision?

Karen
We plan content themes for one school year. This fall, we’re starting a series called Real Treasure, which is about the fruits of the spirit. The once-a-month programs for younger and older kids will follow this theme.

We want to see whole families come to Jesus. I’m praying for their parents. We want to reach the kids, and they will reach their families.
 

Teens hanging out on streets come to Jesus

November 2008, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.
Lisa Stevens (USA) in an interview with Karen Morris (Canada)

Karen Morris is a missionary with WEC / Rainbows of Hope. She volunteers as a youth worker at “Iglesia Evangelica Calvario” (Calvary Evangelical Church). She joined the leadership team in January 2006 and has grown in her  passion for reaching kids. At first, all the kids were 12 and under. Today, the older ones have become teenagers with many questions about the Bible and Jesus. This afternoon, Lisa talks with Karen on the progress in the lives of these teens.

Lisa
How did the outreach start?

Karen
At first we only had one age group. Once the older ones became teenagers, we divided them into two age groups. Now we run three outreaches: 1) a once-a-month Bible program for ages 4 through 11 on the second Friday of the month, 2) a once-a-month Bible program for ages 12 – 16 on the last Saturday, and 3) an after-school homework help session every week from Tuesday through Thursday.

Lisa
What is ROH’s role in this outreach?

Karen
ROH starting helping with the outreach in January 2007.  We had been running activities only on the last Saturday of the month and we wanted to expand the program and do more; however we lacked personnel and resources.  ROH helped start the Friday activity, with crafts and more Bible content, and also helped staff the homework sessions.  They continue to provide resources and expertise as well as provide some training with the volunteers.

Lisa
What are the demographics of the teens?

Karen
One or two are Spanish, and the rest are immigrant kids from the neighborhood next to the church. They are mostly from Romania, South America and Africa. Their parents work long hours, so the kids are by themselves most of the day. Without parental support, they have trouble doing their homework or getting good grades.

Lisa
Describe this outreach?

Karen
ACT or Aqui Cabemos Todos (Room For Everyone Here) is a ministry founded and managed by Calvario Church. A church member, David Lora, noticed frustrated kids hanging out on the streets with nothing to do. Many of them were getting pulled into violent gang activity and depression.

David Lora with one of the teens

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