As you probably know, I work with a girls shelter and a drop-in center for street children.  Both of them provide a greatly needed service and I believe very much in what they are doing.  The girls shelter has been the biggest challenge primarily due to the fact that it is a relatively new organization and it has had financial challenges (read: no money).  I am happy to report that things are looking better.  There is a small organization from Australia that has committed to the shelter that they would pay the rent for the next 12 months (as well as the several months they were in arrears).  This is a real answer to prayer as they had been threatened with eviction several times.  In addition a local bank had provided them with a great deal of food and a group stepped up to help one of the girls go to school.  My organization provided the shelter with a computer and printer which has helped us get more accomplished.  It feels like things are starting to look brighter.  Lots of challenges, but we are seeing progress.

  Now for the one step back…. I got word that the drop-in center has been told that they must leave their new location by the end of the year.  We knew the place was for sale but the owner of the house had assured them that their rental agreement would be honored.  It doesn’t look like that will happen (let’s just say that there seems to be something shady going on).  Unfortunately the centre has been through this before as 3 previous landlords have evicted them due to other renters complaining about the presence of street children.  I fear it will be tough to find a new place and then lots of work to get the word out again to the children where they can come for help.  It would be ideal for them to have a place that they own for the sake of continuity.  Aaron has been through a lot with this organization and he keeps pressing on.