Tuesday mornings

Every Tuesday morning you will find Casey at Opcion de Vida in Carolina Park.  Opcion de Vida is a Christian ministry for street kids.  In the morning there can be up to 60 children ranging from ages 4-14.  The parents of these kids are typically working all day and no one is available to help care for them.  In the afternoons at Opcion de Vida you will find young men who call the streets of Quito their home.  They come to shower, wash their clothes, eat a meal, and be cared for and hear about Jesus Christ.  

Casey goes on Tuesday mornings to teach a bible story and hang out with the kids.  Typically there is a lot of wrestling with the boys.  Casey will also help the kids with their homework but he is there each week to develop relationships with these precious children and teach them about the love and hope of our Savior.  Here are some of the beautiful faces of Opcion de Vida.

This sweet boy always brings along his little sister.

Some days the kids listen to the bible story and participate and some days...

they are literally up in trees!

Here is Yeison (pronounced Jason).  He always is challenging Casey with push-up contests and arm wrestling.  You will see a lot more of Yeison in my blog in the months to come.  He is a very special young man who is from Colombia and all of his family lives in Colombia.  Not only does Casey love on the little kids of Opcion de Vida, his real passion is to show love to the older boys and point them straight to God's Truths about who they are in Christ. 

I want to introduce this beautiful lady, Tamara.  The kids of Opcion de Vida call her Tamarita.  She is the director of this street kid ministry in the park.  Her love for the Lord and deep love for others is an amazing example to us all.  Tamara and her husband have taken in young men from the streets into their home.  Many former street kids call her "Mom".  She may be little but she can demonstrate tough love to these kids.  We praise God for Tamara and consider it a huge privilege to be a part of her life and serve together. 

Please remember this ministry and all the beautiful faces of these children in your prayers.  God is changing so many lives...