Barrio Santa Ana and the Children's Church

             We went to the barrio on Saturday morning to go to a children’s church.  The building used to be a pharmacy and is about 30’ by 30’ on a corner in the barrio.

There is a pretty Catholic Church at the next intersection and a witch has set up shop a block the other direction. The sewer in the middle of the intersection was overflowing. It doesn’t look like they’ll ever fix it.  Not enough political clout.

The street is made of cobblestones and we were told that it is not a good area to go alone day or night.

            I was told that the local adults watch out for the place and respect it.  A gang used to set up across the street and taunt everyone that walked by.  They moved to another location after the church got set up.  There are no signs on the outside of the building advertising what it is. Everyone knows that it is a church.

While they call it children’s church, it is really a chance for the children to get a couple of hours of peace without having to work, scrounge through the trash or do whatever it takes to survive. Each of the little ones answers to a parent, gang member, stepparent, or sibling.  They have concern about finding food, bringing in something for the family, not getting abused and who knows what else. They get a couple of hours on Saturday morning to play and not be concerned about life.

Some of the kids had been coming for months and some were recent. Some are regulars and some come when they can.  The local pastor had about eight or ten in the back of his truck. Many have to walk a couple of miles to get there. They range in age from two until thirteen.

There were three children that sat by the window and did not participate.  I was told that they come every Saturday, but do not participate in the games and singing.

They played games and sang songs.  Every one of the children that participated had a big smile on their face.  I couldn’t help but keep a grin that started from my heart.

Close to the end of the activities, we counted the children (35). We put two beef empanadas and a hot dog bun on a plate.  Then we set the children down on a 10’ x 20’ rug remnant and set the children around the edges. We blessed the meal and brought a plate to each of them.

The children are not raised to help each other. They are raised to take what they can. Here they are taught not to hit each other (and it is very common for them to hit or kick each other). I witnessed older children helping the younger and simple love being shown. This children’s ministry is making a difference in their lives.

THE BARRIO

            We went through the rougher part of Barrio Santa Ana on the way out. There were houses on 75’ square lots.  Some were made of adobe and some of wood.  Most were trashy, but some were not. There was one place were the children were rummaging through trash….no shoes, no gloves….they were looking for anything of value. The streets were very littered.

            There was one house with a grandmother, mother with two children, and two other adults in a 12’x12’ shack.  Neighbors will come and steal all that you have of value if you leave your dwelling for any time, therefore, someone has to stay in the dwelling at all times.

            The trash dump is not too far from the barrio.  They are rummaged through for anything of value.

            The barrio is not far from the river and there are many mosquitoes when the weather is warmer.  Dengue Fever is rampant.

            The children’s church is a chance for them to get away from it all for a couple hours of peace and fun.

THE COOPERATIVA
           The barrio has a cooperative that can work well for everyone.  They agree to do business with each other. There are carpenters, masons, plumbers, pharmacists, stores, and many more businesses that joined the cooperative.  If someone contributes time or effort or goods to the coop, everyone will join together to build them a house. They will pay a modest amount for five years and the house is theirs. The coop works together for the good of the whole and everyone benefits.