“No habla español”

We were standing outside a ten foot high gate, outside a completely fenced in two story building on the corner of Ali Baba and 22nd Ave.

A pot belly-ed man walked towards the gate from the inside and began speaking in what I thought was Spanish, I replied “No habla español”. Then he began talking faster and with more emotion. Neither Seth nor I could understand a word. We replied again with “No habla español”

I finally pieced together a sentence in Spanish asking to Speak to the pastor who I had talked to over the phone and we were let in the gate, to our home for the next stage of our journey.

Hogar del Nazareno (Home of the Nazarene) is a substance abuse rehab center for men. It is located in the heart of Northern Miami, in a district called Opa-Locka.

To the locals this area is called the Bermuda Triangle, because once you go in you don’t come out.


(Journal entry from Friday 1/22/10)

It is 9 in the morning; I have been up for three hours. There is something that feels good about getting up early and having a whole day ahead of you.
At 1 pm we helped unload a truck load of donations, or blessings as they call them, blessing from the Lord. I am reminded of the hard working nature of men, and their ability to work together while joking and laughing.

I can’t help but ponder my current location. I am sitting in the middle of North Miami surrounded by the city, yet I am safe. I was welcomed in with open arms by brothers in Christ. The clouds are moving, trees rustling in the wind, birds flying in the air.

Ephesians 2:3-5 All of us also divided among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were deaf in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved.



God is Good, God is Faithful, God heals, God Saves, God renews, God Loves