Update from El Jordán, Bolivia

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Published: Friday, 14 September 2018 21:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

Sometimes I get so far behind that I have no idea where to start ...

For some reason (I need to get over it!!!) I have such a hard time sending a short note (sorry!!!). If I just share about emergencies or predicaments, it seems a bit like the Bolivian news… full of sensationalism... or maybe it might sound like I´m begging for money or wanting to be seen as a “hero” which I am not... However, if I just talk about something positive, I feel like its not complete because our reality is not so clear cut... our girls´ steps forward are in the midst of a lot of other ups and downs and crazy circumstances... I sometimes feel that sharing about specific girls making changes in their lives almost tempts the enemy to work harder at trying to destroy, rob and kill them... although at the same time I also know how desperately we need your prayers...

What I want for the person who reads my letters is... to be able to more clearly understand the reality of our ministry: walking alongside our moms, young people and kids, pointing them towards Christ and the life He offers them...
I’m sorry I´ve let so much time go by without keeping you all up to date… I will try to be better at sending small updates that keep you more “in the loop”…

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What Is Mankind That You Are Mindful of Them?

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Published: Saturday, 13 January 2018 22:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

Wow… we are only 10 days from officially opening our doors again at El Jordan… pondering, planning where should we put emphasis… how to reach those goals… how to maintain a strong team and family as we move forward… trying to make wise decisions as time, opportunities (and our kids and youth at El Jordan) keep slipping away…

…but before getting into 2018, I’d like to record my thoughts and feelings from Christmas on the Streets.

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Mr. Thoughtful and the Warrior Princess

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Published: Sunday, 17 December 2017 13:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

I want to share this excerpt with you from a recent prayer letter written by Avant recruiter, John Leusink…

Can you imagine what might happen 107 years from now, based on the way you serve Jesus this week? Recently I was visiting some retired Avant missionaries on my travels through Alberta. We were celebrating God's power to weave tapestries beyond our ability to conceive them, and this story bubbled to the surface.

The year is 1910. Little Leslie Harwood was a lad growing up in London, England. Though he was from a good home, he didn't understand the gospel of Jesus until this year when he turned eight - through the leaders of the Crusaders Boys' Club. These volunteers discipled him, trained him and mentored him as he went on to serve and lead in that same ministry.

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Shining On Stage at El Jordán

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Published: Sunday, 26 November 2017 13:46

Written by Corina Clements Soria

Graduation night at El Jordán always is a highlight for me… it brings the whole year together… Everyone celebrating… kids, teenagers… parents… volunteers and workers… families… Remembering who God is… what He has done… pointing towards what He still is going to do… Can there be a better day than that?

People sometimes ask… “Why do the girls wear graduation gowns?” (or in other words, Why do you make such a big fuss about just coming to some classes at El Jordán?) Let me explain: it is a prize… a special recognition of our girls´ efforts and sacrifices… a celebration of their worth and dignity…

Imagine for a minute… someone who has maybe only studied until grade 2, 3 or 4... someone whose own family rejected them or kicked them out of the house when they were barely in the double digits… whose family may never have gone to look for them when they ran away… someone who the only “love” they knew was a moment of being used, and then thrown away… Our girls can close their eyes and still hear accusing voices hammering in their heads, “Stupid….”, “Idiot”, “I curse the day you were born!”, “You are good for nothing!” “I´m not your mom! (grandma, sister…) I am dead to you!!!” Now imagine when they get all dressed up… hair done… makeup on… the graduation gown on… and they hear THEIR name being read… they walk down the (blue) carpet with all the eyes just on them… Eyes that aren´t mocking… hateful… or rude… Eyes that are happy… eyes that are proud… They hear the applause of the people… for THEM!!!! They get a diploma with THEIR name on it… they get to go up on stage… honored… appreciated… Can´t you see how amazing a night this is?

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