I'd always heard of it. I knew friends who had gone there. I had heard stories. No, one did not need to go to the Bronx ghetto in Bogota to know of it.
On Wednesday morning we hopped into the Bartel's big blue bus and he began giving us a tour of the neighborhoods where most of their ministry to street kids happens. Steve Bartel wanted to start off in the worst neighborhoods and gradually improve, showing us the transitions and the various stages the kids go through as they go through the ministry.
We stopped infront of a cemetery and he asked us to notice that it was an open-access cemetery. He said that the ministry staff had often gone on prayer walks through the cemetery and found animal remains, hinting toward sacrifices and other Satanist rituals. The cemetery was just three or four blocks away from "The Jungle" where, twice a month, about 150 kids from the neighborhood come play. He said they've definitely seen how the spiritual darkness has affected so many of the children.
We continued on our "tour" and Steve drove us right through the Zona de Tolerancia. You see, prostitution is officially illegal in Colombia... that is, illegal everywhere but in this area covering 25 square blocks. Here, open prostitution is tolerated, thus becoming known the "Zone of Tolerance." Both sides of the street we drove by were lined with sex workers, blatantly standing in the doorways, beckoning clients to come in. They were scantily clad and urged men to stop at their doorway. We asked about the children... where were their children while the mothers worked? Steve's answer made me feel nauseous.
"Sometimes under the bed. Sometimes in the bed. They can get paid more if a child is involved." Though it was illegal for children to live in these brothels, he explained that he had often sat on the streets for hours and watched children run in and out of the doors.
He continued to drive through the Santa Fe barrio... the "Holy Faith" neighborhood. How ironic. We soon approached the aread near the Bronx ghetto. My pulse accelerated, as I had never been in or near the Bronx. Steve explained that in about four streets, about two thousand people lived and breathed... and died. They had no real way of knowing, but he thought that there were about 150 children living in this ghetto. He wanted to jump out and lock our door before driving through, but decided to not risk stopping. On our right we saw men sniffing glue, mountains of garbage piled up. Human misery was evident. The garbage stench slowly began to seep through our closed windows.
From there he took us to the Jungle. There, kids go to them. In the ghettos, the staff members go to the kids, but at the Jungle, the kids come to the staff. Here, they find a safe haven where they can run around and play. The Jungle walls are brighly painted and fun playground-type activties were scattered inside. Most of the activities required the assistance or supervision of an adult. Steve explained that this was purposefully set up in this way to help build trust between the kids and the adults. This way, kids could receive positive physical touch from an adult on the Saturdays they came to the Jungle.
After our time at the Jungle we went over to the Luz y Vida School. I love that name... Light and Life. It truly is what the ministry is trying to impart. At this school, the number one priority was spiritual formation and discipleship. The teachers and all of the staff are volunteers. Classrooms have seven or less students and the goal is to teach students who can't succeed in traditional schools. They hope to "level" their schooling so that one day they can attend normal schools and eventually graduate from high school.
One of the final stages in this ministry to street children is "re-parenting." Here, kids go to live with a couple or two single women. They live in a home and experience a familial environment. Kids share a room with one other kid. The houses are spacious and very un-institutional looking. The couples commit to these children for 20 years. They will be their parents unless they can be adopted or permanently placed into another family. If that doesn't happen, then they will be family to those children.
Everything about the Bartel ministry inspires me. I love the way they view the kids. I love the way they have officially adopted three kids and unofficially been parents to dozens of others. They have raised 25 children and on Mother's or Father's day, receive dozens upon dozens upon dozens of cards from kids around Colombia who know them as "Mamita Evie" and "Papito Esteban."
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