Often the most significant cool things that I get to participate in....are previously kinda unknown to me. Or maybe I'm just clueless as to their significance in my world until they happen. Last night I told one of my friends that I would help referee potentially unruly street kids at a church event in Pueblo Nuevo. I envisioned it as a type of babysitting and really had no expectations.
It started off randomly waiting for street kids to materialize at a predesignated pick up spot. Not a single one appeared so after waiting about 30 minutes, we set off to look for them in the streets. There are a few parks around, a few spots where the "limpia botas" (shoe shine boys) can often be found. It had been raining and there weren't really a lot of folks out in the streets but outside the Plaza Duarte (the closest thing to walmart that San Juan has to offer) we picked up Angel and Roberto, two 12 year olds who are some of the feistiest street kids I know. I was a bit nervous to bring them since they are pros at scamming ice cream out of Americans and specialize in looking super pathetic to score sympathy from unsuspecting visitors. Angel especially is one of my favs because he's got a great twinkle in his eyes and usually has about 20 bruises and bumps all over himself from wrecking bicycles or falling off motos or fighting in the streets. He was thrilled to be invited to a church event, especially somewhere where he had never been. He wondered aloud if there would be food but I quickly assured him it was a CHURCH ACTIVITY, without snacks. So off we set for Pueblo Nuevo, after checking in with some other beloved street kids who promised to show up tomorrow. I reminded them several times that they had to stay IN the church, no fighting, no knives, all that good stuff and they earnestly promised to behave. I may have even mentioned that there could be prizes available for the attendees :)
We arrived and they immediately hit it off with some other kids that they recognized and were happy to talk to. I then had them sit right next to me, even though Angel snuck off to peer out the windows and ask the American group for food, cross necklaces, gum, bracelets, tictacs, and whatever else they were handing out. I had to hide a smile as he would hide what he already been given to ask for more. When I pointed out to him and those handing out things that he had at least 3 bracelets already, he reminded me that there are many people who live in his house and he thought it important to ask for enough for his mother and sister too. He finally made it to his seat as the worship was starting. Meanwhile Roberto was wide eyed listening and watching the music begin. It was about this time that I begin to "take in" the full house in the church, young folks anticipating the program. Americans, Dominicans..... just people waiting to see Jesus. As the songs began to unfold, people rose to their feet and hands went into the air. There was a loudness and a stillness at the same time.... music pounding, hearts filling, Christ in it all. It was heavenly to see, English speaking mouths forming words in spanish all to praise Jesus. Heavenly to see Joel, Santiago, Brook and Josh in complete worship up front and old and new friends all around screaming the words as loud as they could. The last song that we sang is below. Its not the first time I've heard it but I've been singing it ever since we shouted the words to Jesus last night, telling Him that He Is Holy. Holy is His Name. With Everything that I am- I will sing to You how much I love You.
There was a holiness all around, Holy Spirit descending...on street kids, on the orphanage, on the Americans, the Dominicans, on even me. I could see how a casual commitment that I made to a friend became an opportunity for Jesus to call me to Himself, to remind me that my life is His, that I BELONG to Him, that He has brought me to HIS place, THIS place. I was there, called with the street kids, to fall right down and receive another yet chance to Be Loved, to give Him my whole heart, to know that when we forget why we are here and how we are serving... He shows up in His Way and reminds me to CHOOSE LIFE. CHOOSE HIM. CHOOSE To. Be. A. Part. Of. What. HE. IS. DOING.
Needless to say- Angel and Roberto had a great time. They were the first ones to raise their hands to receive Jesus (and maybe prizes too?) and I couldn't help but grin from my seat as they were hugged and prayed over and just LOVED on. Laura came to pick us up at the drop off point and we stopped for hotdogs and chimis on the way home ( I shamelessly bribed them with food in exchange for good behavior). They had a good time yeah...but it was me who of course was wasted. Wasted again with how GOOD it is. Wasted at the Words Of Worship that I can't stop singing (and I have no voice left so it's not sounding so great).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMwuEIzOxwY
Aunque tú
Estabas cerca
Inseguro y distante
Estaba yo
Estabas cerca
Inseguro y distante
Estaba yo
Tu gracia luchó
Por mi respuesta
A la puerta me esperó
Le dejé entrar
Por mi respuesta
A la puerta me esperó
Le dejé entrar
Te diste por mí
Por mis ofensas
Por rescatarme
Pagaste mi dolor
Por mis ofensas
Por rescatarme
Pagaste mi dolor
La maldición
Tu cambiaste
Por eterna redención
Tu cambiaste
Por eterna redención
CORO 1
Vino tu amor
Para salvar
Fuiste a morir
Te entregaste
En mi lugar
Vino tu amor
Para salvar
Fuiste a morir
Te entregaste
En mi lugar
II
Me diste perdón
Y vida nueva
No hay nada
Que me aparte de tu amor
Me diste perdón
Y vida nueva
No hay nada
Que me aparte de tu amor
Mi aspiración
Y mi deseo
Es rendirte adoración
Y mi deseo
Es rendirte adoración
CORO
Vino tu amor
Para salvar
Fuiste a morir
Te entregaste
En mi lugar
Vino tu amor
Para salvar
Fuiste a morir
Te entregaste
En mi lugar
Vino tu amor
A libertad
Fuiste a morir
Te entregaste
En mi Lugar
A libertad
Fuiste a morir
Te entregaste
En mi Lugar
PUENTE
//Santo eres Dios
Tu nombre santo es
Con todo lo que soy
Te cantaré
Cuánto te amo//
//Santo eres Dios
Tu nombre santo es
Con todo lo que soy
Te cantaré
Cuánto te amo//
Here are the words in English...
Although you were close
I was insecure and distant.
Your grace fought For my answer
You waited at the door and I let You in
You gave for me... For my offenses
By rescuing me... You paid my pain
you changed the Curse...
By eternal redemption
CHORUS 1
your love came to save
You went to die
You gave In my place
II You gave me forgiveness And new life
Nothing can take me away from your love
my aspiration And my desire
is to surrender to you in worship...
CHORUS
your love came to save
You went to die
You gave
In my place
your love came
to free me
You went to die
You gave In my Place
BRIDGE /
You are Holy, God.
Your name is holy
With all I am I will sing
how much I love you...
Beautiful song...And I guess thats it.
He is the HOLY GOD, the only God and His Name is Holy.
And with all that I have, I will sing to Him how much I love Him.
