So I posted a blog on Soto hearing the voice of God. The cool thing about that night was every week after that he would want to hear more. Soto (like all the guys at camp) needs miracles to happen in his life. He got released, to find there had been a drive by shooting at his house. It was by an enemy of his, sending a message to him. I went to see him and the bullet holes serve as a daily reminder that he is a target. Regardless of the fact that he had been away in jail, they had not forgotten him, nor his gang affiliation. But as I looked closer, they also reminded me of God's answers to prayer. Out of all those shots fired, not one of them caused harm. No one was hit. We had been praying for Soto and his family. He had been praying too. That was an answer to prayer in that this many shots were fired and no one was hit. So after a long talk with Soto at Del Taco, a soda pop and a reminder that God is still at work, he is smiling. He can hear God, now he can see God is working. Okay, that is very cool. He is looking for a job and this weekend will be going camping with us! He has so far to go, and really is just trying to stay alive. In this picture it actually doesn't look like that bad of a neighborhood, but looks can be deceiving. I see the blue skies behind him, not the bars surrounding all the homes in his hood. Now he is free from jail, but a prisoner in his own home. Is that any better? There is a man who works with gang members here in LA who when asked if he believed they deserved a second chance, he said "who gave them thier first". Many do not have a chance in the neighborhoods they grow up in. While this is a tough crowd, my passion increases.
