On Tuesday, the team visited the secure part of CEI which houses 130 juveniles. Te new


director was proud to show us the soy milk production shop and the woodworking shop which were both led by evangelical churches and the Volunteer Network in Itauguá. At the woodworking shop we met Ignacio, a boy who had waited 17 months during which


19 hearings had been scheduled, but not one was actually held. On that very day, he found out he was to be released! David, from the Volunteer Network, was there to encourage him, and our team prayed for him. We were with him when he was called to the office to be released. Most of the inmates at CEI have only been charged with crimes; they have not yet been


sentenced. Tey are detained before their trials and then serve more time aſter they go before the judge and receive their sentence. Anja has become an advocate for these boys, many of whom have spent an inordinate amount of time at CEI. She also is an advocate for children in the foster care system. At the same time, René serves with the Volunteer Network to minister to the inmates spiritual and physical needs and to encourage them to not give up hope. On Wednesday we joined the Medicomicos, a comedy team, to cheer up patients and fami-


lies in the Children’s Hospital. Tis Volunteer Network team is led by José Escudero, a ventrilo- quist, and his dummy Toti. Toti went through a chemo treatment with one little boy to give him courage to begin treatment. Toti wears a “bandage” where he received his “injection.” José and Toti clown around with people in the waiting rooms to make them laugh, and then José prays with them. Tey also go room to room to encourage the patients. Te Gospel is presented in the main waiting area through a large Wordless Book and with more clowning and playing with the children. Our team took turns donning red noses and going in with José to play and pray with the children and the families. We also met with parents of some of the students. Abuse is all too common in this culture, so


we, as a panel, encouraged them to use positive parenting techniques. When you are raised with abuse, it is a difficult and long process learn to parent with firmness and compassion. Sara Crook, our translator, asked for our notes, so that aſter we are gone, she can continue what we started. At the end of the week, the team helped Awana workers organize and host a special event for


students and their families. Te main purpose of the event was to share the Gospel and invite parents to see what Awana is about. Awana is a part of the regular school program, so the event fell during regular school hours. Kids and teens enjoyed making bookmarks and Gospel bracelets and playing Awana games. Te main feature was a clown show and Gospel presentation put on by José and Toti. A worship band from Discover, another Volunteer Network activity for teens, performed for this event. All in all, we feel we accomplished our goal to come alongside those who are already in the


work, to assist and to learn from them. It was very cold during the week, but we experienced a very warm reception from everyone. We request prayer for the El Camino Home, the school, and the workers. We thank René, our leader and chauffer, and Anja, our translator and organizer, for their hospitality and for a very meaningful week. To God be the glory!


Tis article was a total team effort with everyone contributing in the different areas. Fellowship Focus, July/August 2016 9


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