Silvia Alvear learned about a program called Camp Healing by the HEB Foundation in Virginia. She invited the foundation to come put on a program and learned how to incorporate art, discussion, and games in a way that helps children talk about the hard things in their lives. Now she leads her church in a quarterly Camp Healing. She added significant Bible teaching to the program, using her CEF training.
The public school after-school program coordinator has approved a Good News Club to begin meeting this fall in the area public schools. There are four schools, so the team of 10 volunteers that Carillo and Alvear have trained will send two people to each school and the school program coordinator will assist with helpers. Alvear says, “We are encouraged that the Gospel is going out and desperate people are coming to the Lord. But there is much to be done.”
These little bright spots can begin to turn the town around, but one more element is missing. East Texas State Director Mimi Sellers is looking for some outside support for this small town. “We need Hispanic men from strong churches in a hundred mile radius to come mentor key people in Uvalde. We also need financial support for two CEF workers so the work will be sustained. I’ve seen it many times, where passionate and skilled people have to leave a productive ministry to support themselves. They also have expenses associated with doing the ministry. They’ve stepped up in faith and now we need to keep them moving forward.” Sellers is talking to various churches in East Texas about those two needs, looking for who will receive the blessing by answering the call.
One year after the shooting and the wounds in Uvalde are still bleeding, requiring a spiritual doctor. Jesus said he came to bind up the wounds and heal the brokenhearted, and then he commissioned believers to be his hands and feet through the power of the Holy Spirit. Who will claim the words of Jesus and be the doctor?
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. –Isaiah 61:1-3
Note: It would be very easy to be critical of the town’s leadership, from the mayor on down, speaking of incompetency, etc. But we don’t want to do that for two reasons: we don’t want to create ill will because we want to work with them going forward, and this town is very poor, meaning no one wants to take a tough job for very little pay, so the problem is bigger than someone in leadership not doing a good job. The situation gives the cartels and corrupt people an inroad. These are issues that need to be discussed privately with people who truly have a heart to make a difference. This is one reason we’re looking for mentors.
