A Blessed Oasis

We love it here at Casa Granja. Regardless of its current condition, it is an oasis in a neighborhood that makes US low-income housing look like an upscale suburb. The neighboring houses are not nearly as large or as nice. Although when we have ventured out and drive along the highway and see the endless rows of “barrios” made of tin roofing material and other building scraps we quickly realize how worse it can get. There are five bedrooms with their own baths, a pool and cabana, large patio with a grand staircase that leads to the backyard and an old fountain, a large room that is used as a classroom and another large recreation room. The grounds are mostly overgrown but there are two rows of large palm trees leading to the far gate that give evidence of what a gorgeous place this was back in its day.

The staff here has shown amazing hospitality and kindness. Whatever we need, they provide. Actually, we feel a little guilty as they do so much for us and we are here to serve them. The food has been amazing. There are two cooks that prepare breakfast and lunch for our team of 12 plus the 9 boys and other staff members. Dinner is catered by Enrique, a local chef and member of LBNE, every night around 8:00 and it is muy fabulosa!!

The Boys… there are nine in the program at Casa Granja right now. We are curious about their stories and how they got here but would rather focus on getting to know them. There is an application and interview process before they are accepted into the program. It is a very structured and they must go through five stages before they can graduate. In the first two, they are not allowed to leave the house on their own as some may have come in as drug users from their time on the streets. In the third stage, it is possible for them to attend school or remedial Saturday classes since most come and can not read or write. As the week progresses, we get to know more of them.

By far the biggest character of the group is Santiago. He will capture your heart right away with his smile, charm and love. He is always right in the middle of things and leans in to talk to you like an old man having a serious conversation. Santi is nine years old only been in Proyecto Jonas for a few months. He mainly lived on the streets as his parents worked all the time, had problems with alcohol and there was abuse as so often is the case. I’m told he has knife scars from his time on the streets. He can not read or write but you know he is very intelligent. He is learning English phrases quickly this week. We all would like to take him home with us.
Another is Davey (Dah-vee) who is 17 years old and has been in the program one year. Davey is a handsome young man who is very good with the younger boys. He was a drug dealer in Barquisimeto and the right-hand man of another dealer who had killed 30 people by the age of 18. Davey never killed anyone although once he carjacked a man who refused to get out and Davey pulled the trigger three times. By the grace of God a bullet never fired (…the man then got out of the car). He never feared the police or jail but came to a turning point only when he began stealing from his family. Although the beginning of his life was a scary start the future holds great promise. He has accepted Jesus and has goals to pursue an education to become an electrician and one day a career as a pilot. He is a little restless but is focused on achieving his goals.

Cesar needs prayers. I don’t know the details of his life but he has been threatening to leave Proyecto Jonas and go back to his street life. It must be a difficult transition to leave a lawless life and go into one of many rules and responsibilities. We can only hope that our time here has provided him some good role models in the strong faith and love of our group.

The original purpose of our trip was not supposed to be at Proyecto Jonas but God definitely had a plan in mind bringing us here. The boys have worked right along side us the whole week and we never had to ask them. When we start a new project or task, there will be several working along side you after just a few minutes. We hope that our example of hard work on the house will show them what a great opportunity God has provided them in allowing them to be here as He has shown us.  How amazing that there is a place like this that gives a safe harbor to these boys!