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What was I doing here?
I could make sense out of it on one level. Helping poor people is what I like to do. But how exactly did I get to this place? That's what was puzzling
me.
Geographically, I knew where I was. I was in a very impoverished area of Mexico. As I gazed around, I saw a few new little houses in this huge city of lost dreams. They were painted bright colors that contrasted with the dingy shacks in the surrounding areas.
How did I get here? Oh, I had flown into San Diego and driven here. But why? Oh, I work with the Christian Relief Fund who sponsors needy children
around the world. But this really wasn't my job. I'm one who stays back in the states and raises money for the kids.
As I was pondering my situation, looking over the new houses and hearing the cries and laughter of a bunch of little children running around -- Sergio
came up behind me.
"You're probably wondering why you are here," he said. Sergio spoke English pretty well which was greatly appreciated by me.
"Well, yes I was thinking about it," I responded. If he only knew how much.
Then he said, "I only do two things well."
"What are those?" I asked.
"Well, I build houses and I pray."
"That's good," I replied.
"You have probably noticed these new houses here. I built them," he explained.
"There are so many children running around homeless on the streets that I believed God wanted me to build an orphanage here. I realized this one day while I was praying at this very spot. I was convicted that God wanted me to build an orphanage right where you are standing," he added.
Sergio continued, "Now, I have some houses. And I have also got some children. They are all high risk children. In fact, most of them are children
of prostitutes. I have all that I need for this orphanage with the exception of the money to feed, school, and clothe these children. So I came to this spot where you are standing and prayed about it."
"What do you do well, Milton?" Sergio inquired.
"I guess I preach and raise money for needy children," I answered.
"Then, it is obvious why you are here. You are the answer to my prayers!" Sergio concluded.
"I asked for money at this spot. And God answered my prayers and sent you to this spot. Isn't God good?" Sergio added.
And Sergio's prayers were answered. I did raise some money through supporters of the Christian Relief Fund. There is now not only some new houses
and children on that spot, but also some well fed, educated, and clothed children who are growing up believing in a good God.
But orphanages need workers. Do you know what Sergio did?
He was walking through the city when a scantily clad woman approached him with an offer of sex. He asked her how much money she wanted. He paid her. Then he did something very unusual.
When she asked, "What do you want?"
He responded, "I would like to build a house for you. That's what I do well. I pray and build houses."
"What's this about? What's the catch? How much is this going to cost me?" she asked with confusion when he wasn't interested in sex.
"Nothing," he responded. "I am going to build a house and give it to you."
And he did.
She found out about his good God in the process. And now she works not on the streets but in an orphanage Sergio started.
I think Sergio is wrong. He does three things well. He also puts in a good word for Jesus extremely well.
Milton Jones is a board member of Christian Relief Fund, an agency in Amarillo which helps poor and needy children around the world. The children are sponsored by members of the churches of Christ through loving contributions of $25 per month.
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