El Callejon (Dead End Street)

El Callejon is a very poor community in the DR that is very close to my heart. It was named by its residents because of the lack of hope they had for their future. It is a "squatter" community made up of families forced to move after a hurricane. There is a Social Work site for women, a pre-school, and often construction projects done in the community by the mininstry here at SI. God has done some amazing things in this community but there is still a very dark side. Because of the hospitality of the culture, students often believe the people of the community are happy despite their circumstances. But there is a lot of pain and hurt that most students do not see. Alcoholism ruins this community. There are fours bottles of rum consumed for every one carton of milk in this community. God has impressed it on my heart to get as many people together to pray for this community. We do evangelistic outreaches every other Wednesday and have 2 ministry sites in the community. As many of you know, Marisol lives in El Callejon. Marisol is the hija de mi corazone (daugther of my heart). Her dad left when she was 5 and her mom is an alcoholic and abuses her when she gets drunk. Her mom is 49 years old but looks as if she is much older. Her eyes are very dark and have no hope in them. She is missing most of her teeth, has no job, and hits her beautiful 11 year old daughter because she is drunk. There are also 7 people living in this small house. I had a bad attitude towards her because of her drunkeness and because she hit Marisol. Last week I was able to visit her in her house at night and see her in a different way. El Calljon is very dark at night. I got to see the hurt and darkenss of the community and for the first time my heart broke for Marisol's mom. I felt bad that she is trapped in alcohol and God challenged me to start praying for her. Yesterday I got to church and the lady sitting right in front of me was Marisol's mom! It was amazing. God really encouraged me that He wants me to pray for this community because He wants to bring His hope here and change it. I am praying now not only for Marisol but her mother and showing her God's love in any way I can. Imagine if God changed both of their lives! Please pray for God to change this community and help me cry out on behalf of this amazing community. I believe He is ready to do something big.

"He (Samuel) cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf, and the Lord ANSWERED him!" - I Samuel 7:9