A different kind of hood

One of my long-time dreams has been to see more folks from urban and minority backgrounds helping out in God's plan to show His love to every family on earth.  Another dream is to do something about the desperate lack of help and opportunity for teens and young adults.  Despite laws requiring children to complete 9th grade, thousands drop out before then.  Many leave the villages for the cities, looking for work.  Here they find higher cost of living, low pay for honest jobs and nothing to do in their free time.  The girls get drawn towards karaoke bars, where they work as paid "companions", making commissions on drinks.  This gets them addicted to the alcohol-drug-party life, which in turn opens the door for prostitution.  The guys also get hooked into drinking, drugs and gambling, if for no other reason than there is nothing else to do in Bangkok.  There are almost no low-cost recreational faciilties or parks, no youth clubs or drop-in centers.  Ask 10 of these young men and women what they want to do with their life, and 9 will have no idea.  This problem is key--if we are to see fewer girls hitting the bars, we need to build opportunities for both guys and girls to head in a positive direction.  We know of no Christian ministry addressing this need.

FrankWith these two dreams I was more than pleasantly surprised when Frank Santiago, 25, showed up last January as a part of a 3-person team coming to help Prang in Buriram.  Frank, whose given name is Francisco, grew up in inner-city Philadelphia.  "I got relatives in gangs, in jail, the whole bit," he told me, not proudly.  Frank credits a good persistent mom with keeping out of that life.  He came to the Lord as a boy and grew up in a good church.

While his initial commitment was 3 months, Frank came prepared to stay for the long haul if God should say so.  At this point Frank feels that God has said so.  Seeing the directionless youth of Buriram in a way feels a lot like back in the hood, so has wasted little time in diving hard into language study while introducing timid teens to basketball and hip-hop.

After his 2 other team members leave, Frank will spend time with us in Bangkok for training and language study.  From there we'll see where God leads.  Of course we'll also be looking for more help.

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Anna
Posts: 6
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Re: A different kind of hood
Reply #6 on : Thu April 09, 2009, 11:42:09
His t-shirt is awesome. Sort of like you wearing the "Pray Hard" t-shirt on the Team Larson card. Only funnier.
chris
Posts: 6
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Re: A different kind of hood
Reply #5 on : Sun April 05, 2009, 07:43:33
hey jim. interested to hear about more about this guy and your work. it's been forever since i stopped through. is he staying for a while? a volunteer? thanks for your continued commitment to an uneasy work. blessings,
Chris.
Chika
Posts: 6
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Beautiful
Reply #4 on : Thu April 02, 2009, 04:39:44
I would just like you to pass on to Frank that I am glad that God has blessed and called people like him. Please tell him never to tire of doing God's work in serving the young and lost. It is a beautiful thing when people can come from a difficult background, have the grace bestowed on their lives to reach above that, but also have the strength and the heart never to forget the people who are still searching. More blessings on your life, Frank! And of course always to you Jim and the family. :)
Michaela Tomsen
Posts: 6
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Re: A different kind of hood
Reply #3 on : Tue March 31, 2009, 20:00:38
Excited to see how this pans out!!! Buriram is a heart-grabber - You just have to get people out of the smog so they can think clearly :)

And Nick complained to me often of your not writing - so yes, people complained - just not to you :) We just assumed you were trying to keep your head above water.

Missing you all.
Bill
Posts: 6
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Frank
Reply #2 on : Sun March 29, 2009, 22:15:54
Dude, this is answered prayer. It's good to see Jesus motivating his people to make commitments like this.
Marie
Posts: 6
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Frank
Reply #1 on : Sat March 28, 2009, 10:39:02
He's an attractive and from the picture, wholesome young man.

Keep praying also for people back in the States caught by the American culture - self centeredness that traps us and keeps us from reaching out, from fulfilling the great commission, that keeps us from our destinies in Jesus.

I'm glad you have the fortitude to break out of the cycle and give your life, Jim.