Karen's Story

Karen lives with her mom, dad and four siblings in a one bedroom apartment across the street from the site. Her Mom, Vicky, stays home and takes care of the family and cooks Karen's favorite, Huaraches. This is Spanish for sandal and it's a homemade corn tortilla sandwich in the shape of a sandal with beans, lettuce, tomatoes and sometimes meat. Her Dad, Jorge works in a famous restaurant near Beverly Hills cooking gourmet pizzas. Karen's says, "Sometimes my dad brings the pizzas home but he can't warm them because our oven doesn't work." Then she added she would bake cakes if the oven worked.

She first saw the big, colorful Metro Kidz truck driving around her house after school when she was just 7 years old and has faithfully attended ever since. Karen is devoted and very rarely misses a MK program, a character trait that has earned her a spot as a MK helper. Someone who doesn't know her might think she comes for the candy or because she lives across the street, but the fact is that God has touched her heart; she has had an encounter with Jesus, the Son of the living God.

When I asked what her favorite part of MK is she said the Bible lesson, while most kids would say the games or the candy. For me, one of the most amazing parts of MK is when children, in a dirt field or gang infested park, surrender their hearts and lives to Jesus and make Him the Lord of their life. Our motto, as many of you know, is Changing a Generation-One Child at a Time. Our passion is to connect children like Karen to God. Teaching them accountability, loyalty, perseverance and integrity is how we intend on changing Los Angeles.

Karen says she wants to become a lawyer because she believes she can make a difference in people's lives. That is exactly what I'm talking about when I explain the practical power of learning God's word; it gives you motive for the direction of your life. Time will tell what Karen's life will be like 7 or 8 years from now when she graduates. For now her grades are 4s and 3s (As and Bs) and she shows great potential. She starts Jr. High in September so there will be a whole new set of challenges for her but we know a solid foundation is being laid. We plan on walking with her right into college and with your continued support we will keep coaching her on education and helping her grow in her personal relationship with Jesus Christ.