Hey, I am 46 years old, what do I know about being a part of a gang?  We were at a community park with an evangelistic outreach ministry.   We were working with a team of Mexican nationals who want to establish a church in this area in 2008.  

Over 600 invitations had gone out and there were about 100 people gathered on the basketball court to sing, make balloons, see a 6 foot man crawl inside a giant balloon and to hear the Gospel message.  In the end 15 professions of faith were made.  Their names and contact information was gathered and will be followed up on in order to help this new church plant.

As the program began about dozen Mexican teens gathered also and began to shout out profanity in English (learned from rap music and movies).  This was going to prove to be a great distraction to the sharing of God's word to small children and their parents.

I am just stupid enough to think that the Crazy Little Hermanos (Brothers) will listen to me if I ask them not to curse and be disruptive.  No bravery here, more stupidity if anything but God said He could use the foolish things of this world (I qualify.)

I went and sat right in the middle of them, at this moment I still did not realize they considered themselves a gang, but I soon found out.  The funny thing is - God was already working and I did not realize it.  

I asked them not to curse in English, as it was very offensive to the Americans that were here helping us in the park.  To my shock, they said they would respect that request.  The next thing that happened was the result of a Sovereign God Who orders our steps.  Last year in the same park with a different church group, I led a young man to the Lord, Jorge.  He came and sat right next to me and said, "Do you remember me?"  It was awesome, through him God allowed me to develop a report with the rest of the gang.  

The next thing I knew this gang was sliding closer to me and I was feeling closed in, were they going to mug me?  No, they were now leaning on me and making personal contact as I talked to them and shared a little of my testimony of why I don't drink, or use drugs etc.  I told them that with Christ in my life I am living the greatest adventure there is.                   

I was asked if I belonged to a gang, (haha, if they only knew what a whimp I am).  I am now a proud member of the "Crazy Little Brothers" and have been taught the gang sign and handshake.

Where do I go from here?  Well, I invited them to our evangelistic summer camps, and I have spoken to a youth group in Texas about coming down and helping me reach out to this gang in their own neighborhood this summer.

I love serving God - He keeps my life exciting!
                                  - Allen Owens, Mexico