Drop In Center Opening and a face with a name...

This past Thursday evening we were blessed with a visit by yet, another team....(We had two teams here at the same time!) This team was from Waco, Texas and we were so thankful to have a full evening to spend with them in our home. Perhaps the biggest treat for me (Robin) is that a couple on the team has been supporting us financially since we arrived in Mexico - and yet I had never met them! What a joy to put a face with a name and to get to thank them personally!
Then, on Friday we celebrated the "Grand Opening"of UNIFAM LaRaza (the drop-in center). It was an amazing time. First we had a short (by Mexico standards) service followed by a meal.

The drop in center will serve as the head-quarters for the Proyecto MEFI ministry.
Here is a little information about the ministry of Proyecto MEFI that will then work in conjunction with the LaRaza church that will be started in the drop-in center very soon. I have "stolen" this excellent write up from the website of Steve and Helen Cosslett - a couple funding to serve in Mexico.

Proyecto MEFI is a social outreach ministry of UNIFAM; it exists to enable the people of Mexico to reach out to the street children of Mexico City, through practical, psycho-social and spiritual means. Our greatest desire, however is to see those children come into the Kingdom of God, grow into disciples of Jesus Christ, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that in turn they can reach out to others.

The abbreviation MEFI is taken from the name of Jonathan’s son Mefi-boset (in Spanish), who was crippled in both feet, and who David took into his palace and treated as if he was his own son. Many of the underlying principles of the project are taken from this story which can be found in 2 Samuel Chapter 9 in the Bible. Some of these principles are spelt out in the acrostic MEFI:

M - Misericordia (Mercy)
E - Esperanza (Hope)
F - Fe (Faith)
I - Integración (Integration)

Each letter represents a different step in our outreach to street children. Mercy being our initial contact providing food, first-aid and shelter. Hope being the hope of Jesus Christ and all that it means to be in a relationship with Him, including a hope for the future. Faith represents the journey that they embark on as they seek to trust God and others. Lastly, integration back into society is our desire for these street children, so that they can in turn impact their families (if possible) and other street children by the changes they see in them.