The Bronx (Part 3)

Welcome to the final installment of the Bronx blogs! Be sure to check out Parts 1 and 2 before reading this one.

Our final trip to the Bronx was on our last night with Ciudad Refugio. It was Wednesday night, and we were ready to leave Colombia with a bang. As we prepared to head out with some prayer and worship, I felt overcome by joy. I was so excited to go back to the Bronx. I felt none of the nerves or fears from the week before. Instead, I felt my heart fill with compassion. I was so ready to serve and this time I made it my mission to walk around instead of staying on the line.

As all of us piled out of the truck for the last time, I felt the joy grow. I’ve never been so certain that I needed to be somewhere. With every step, I grew more and more confident and sure of myself. I didn’t feel even a tickle of fear or dizziness.

Claudia, Anna Stewart, and I decided to team up and walk around together and soon enough, our little group headed out into the streets. We strolled around for a bit as we prayed, asking the Spirit to guide us to the right person. After a few minutes, we met Valentine. He spoke perfect English and was very curious as to why three gringas were wandering the Bronx. He recognized Ciudad Refugio as soon as we brought up the foundation and began to share his story. It was heartbreaking to hear about his past struggles and current addictions.

When the conversation shifted to church, Valentine confessed that he had wanted to go to the service at the foundation several times but had always slept through it or hadn’t been able to find someone trustworthy to watch his things. He explained that he never doubted that God existed, but he felt that he had messed up too much to ever change his life. Hearing this absolutely broke my heart. We talked to him for a long while, took turns praying for him, and gave him the information about Ciudad Refugio. He seemed very excited to come to church on Sunday and began to plan out where to store his things and when he needed to sleep to be up in time. It was so beautiful to see his excitement and I truly hope that he made it to church.

Next, we headed down the street where the drugs are sold. We slowly passed the tented stalls and weaved through the crowds. It wasn’t long before we were stopped by a man. Just like Valentine, he was curious to find out what we were doing in the Bronx. He also already knew about Ciudad Refugio and was excited that we were there. He immediately asked us to pray for him. As we prayed, I felt someone come up next to me. I glanced over and saw a second man, watching us intrigued. Once we wrapped up our prayer, the second man quickly asked us to pray for him as well. It was such a surreal moment to be standing amidst the stalls selling various drugs and yet feeling so safe. It began to become clear to me just how desperate the people in the Bronx are for God’s love. They know Him better than a lot of “Christians” in the States yet are stuck in a cycle of addiction and poverty.

Open drug use and sales are a constant in the Bronx.

As we started heading back to the line, a third man approached us. He explained that he was sick and cold and asked us for clothes. We told him about Agua Panela and the work that Ciudad Refugio does in the Bronx every week. He decided to walk back with us to see it in action. The walk was slow, and we briefly talked to a few other people. Once we got back to the line, a full-on worship session was going on. We joined the circle and swayed along to the Spanish songs. It wasn’t long until yet another man approached Claudia and I.

In very fast Spanish, he began telling us his story. At times he would break down and tear up. Other times he would try to propose to Claudia. It was such a strange, but beautiful experience and even though we couldn’t understand half of what he was staying, it was wonderful to get to be there for him.

Overall, my last experience in the Bronx was absolutely incredible and yet completely different from my other two times. The entire time I was there I just felt like there was a bubble of hope and joy around my heart. I saw and heard so many heartbreaking things, but none of the darkness could overcome the light that the Spirit was radiating inside of me. It also felt like I wasn’t the only one who noticed this. People just seemed drawn to us no matter how deep into the Bronx we ventured. It’s truly amazing to see that even the people that seem to be the farthest from God can’t help but be drawn to His presence.

The worship session was absolutely incredible! There’s something so mind-blowingly wonderful about hearing people pour out their hearts to God in the midst of the chaos and sin of a street like the Bronx.

Please keep praying for the Bronx and Ciudad Refugio! Be sure to say an extra prayer for Valentine. Also, please keep praying for the Squash Sisters as we do construction and landscaping at El Refugio. Week 1 in Ecuador has been amazing so far, so keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!

Photo Credit: Claudia Gruett