The Wall that Separates Us

There is this really distinct smell to Zona Norte. It's weird how garbage, smoke from taco stands, cigarettes, marijuana, and diesel can create such nostalgia in me. By now, the lights and sounds are somewhat calming. It is such a supernatural feeling to be compelled and driven by the Holy Spirit while down there. It is such a freeing feeling to walk these streets every Saturday night with absolutely nothing on the agenda but open ears and soft hearts. Zona Norte could be considered one of the darkest places in the world. It definitely is to me. But something God tells me each time I go, each time I see the men filing into the strip clubs, each time I see a woman walk off with a customer, each time I see a homeless deportee, God tells me "this place is MINE." It might appear to to look like the good guys lost, one wouldn't say Zona Norte is a happy place full of happy people. But the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, Zona Norte is HIS. He has claimed victory over sin and death and the power of the Devil, so we must walk out in this victory. 
Last Saturday we met a man who had just been deported. He was so sad, he kept saying over and over again how sad he was. His wife and kids were still in California. He said he had just talked to his wife, and that she now had a boyfriend. His voice was desperate, "And we are still married." My heart breaks for him. He told us how his kids are growing up without him, how he found a job and house here in Tijuana but it doesn't matter. "I have food, money, a house, but I am still hungry, empty." We were standing on a street that faced the border. From Zona Norte you can see the border, it is the part of Tijuana that touches the States. He looked up and pointed at the border, "And they are just over there!" He kept saying how sad he was. It was really difficult, he was so desperate. 
I think because of his desperation he was in a good place to believe that God could work a miracle in his family. We prayed for him and encouraged him. My prayer now is that he can have peace and hope in Christ Jesus. That his hunger can be satisfied by the Bread of Life. 

One of my little friend's gave me a early Valentine's Day sucker at Zone Kids last Tuesday.
She had a matching sucker so we took a picture. 

This month at Zone Kids we are doing a series called Heroes of the Bible.
We talked about trusting in God the way Abraham trusted in God.
We made super hero masks afterwards.
 It was a very popular craft.