Last night, while Phil and I were waiting to get gas at a local station, a young girl came to the window selling candy. Although Phil told her he didn't want any, she continued to reach up and knock on the window. Then she came to my side to repeat her begging. She refused to accept our "No, thank you."

We try to have small box milks for times like this but we were out, so I got out of the car and told her I wanted to buy her a milk. She continued to beg for me to buy the candy, then she told me she didn't want milk, but ice cream. I was stunned at her persistent desperation. I took a closer look. She was dirty, her hair had the tinge of red indicating malnutrition, but her eyes... they told me more than I wanted to know - abuse, pain without words, numbness past shame, the reality that she would likely be beaten by her mother if she didn't "make her quota."

When I came back out of the store with an oatmeal drink, she was gone. She was begging at other cars in line for gas, but had gone back to beg from Phil and finally told him she would return. While continuing to wait in the line of cars, we saw her mother with a baby strapped to her back. She was looking for her, making sure she was doing her "job". Finally, when she was certain her mother wouldn't see her, the girl returned to our window. She didn't say thank you for the nutritional drink, she simply took it and again asked for money.

In truth, we wanted to ignore this little girl, so rude, so unashamed, and shut our eyes and hearts to her pain.... just roll the window back up and justify that we had done our part.... but we were prompted to not give up. We asked, "What is your name? How old are you?" She mumbled, "Carmen, eleven years old." Phil tried to speak some truth to her, that she is valued, that God has a plan for her. She continued to beg, undaunted because of her desperation to meet the demands of her mother. Then she spotted the Ecuadorian flag inside the front window. Phil asked her if she would like it. When he handed it to her we were rewarded with a small smile, the first. Seconds later we saw her opening the drink alone on the side of the building. Her mother spotted her. We were thankful to see she didn't take away the drink.

Tears began to roll down my cheeks. How much pain does God feel for such a child as this? He doesn't just see one, He sees them all. I cannot bear so much pain, but He already did, for me, for you, for Carmen.

• Two Saturdays ago was Global Day of Prayer for the child at risk. The Casa G boys spent the entire day serving, sharing, testifying, tying balloons, being clowns, doing dramas both in a very poor church and then in a park in what is considered the "ghetto" of Quito. We were able to team up with three other organizations to serve and bless over 600 "children at risk". It was powerful to see God's young leaders in action. However, the most powerful picture was to see the boys pray over individual children. We praise God for connecting us with other local and national Christian groups who have a heart and passion to serve and invest into the very poor and needy.

• Saturday we kicked off our mentor program with a cookout at the park and games with all the boys and 7 young men who have volunteered and been accepted as a mentor. Then on Sunday our church prayed for our family and the Casa Gabriel boys, for our trip and for the boys to continue to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord as young leaders in training. During lunch, I looked around the table at their precious faces and thought again at how privileged we are to be joined together!

• Friday we leave Ecuador for an extended time in the U.S. Thursday evening we will say goodbye and pray with our Casa G boys. In reality, they are sick of goodbyes. So are we. In the past month they have told four Casa Gabriel interns goodbye. Right before that Gabriel Alarcon left. Next was Carlos - he joined the army. Phil believes he could do very well in this setting. Friday Esaul left, and we are uncertain when he will return. Although the enemy wants to discourage us, and at times we are tempted to be very discouraged, we remain confident that no matter how long each boy is at Casa Gabriel, they will be impacted forever. His plan is good and perfect. And He is doing a work that lasts in each heart, training up leaders to impact their families, church, community, world.

• Anne Lise Valdez will fill in as director for Phil while he is gone. She will do a wonderful job. Gabriel Pinche will be here during our time away as well. He has been adjusting to the changes in the boys and himself - yes, they ARE growing up!! Mike will finish the school year soon, he continues to do a great job as staff and is a support for Gabriel. Lucas will head home to Argentina in July. Michael Hartung arrives in July for a one year internship. Loyda from Spain is considering coming on full-time at Casa Gabriel. Her expertise in social work is very valued. Jaime Renee' Lewis, a psychology major from Iowa, will be joining us this fall for an internship. We are very proud of our team! Please pray with us for them!!!

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