December 31, 2008 - The Investigation Continues

The plan was to be guests at the Transition House (where the teenagers live) at Faith Home for a special supper. Almost at the same time we arrived the police pulled up outside the Transition House. Saul and Brad went out to talk with them. The police had arrested the two guys that had stolen the doors. Their father had called the police when they returned to the house (more about the dad later). The dad and the boys had also told the police what the boys had done with the doors. The police wanted Brad and Saul to go with them to identify the doors.

Off Brad and Saul went with the police. Brad and Saul leading the way of course. When they got to one of the houses which had what looked like one of our doors mounted on their front door (and a house where the boys and the dad said was one of our doors) we stopped and talked with the lady. Of course, she swore she had had the door many days and had gotten it from a relative. No way we could really prove it was ours so we left. The police told us later they found another door in the backyard of this house. A little strange the lady would have two doors that looked just like ours at her house. Hummmm?????

Saul thought it would be a good idea to go talk with the dad to try and smooth things over so there wouldn't be any problems as we continue to work in this area. We had a good conversation with the dad. He basically said he was tired of his own sons. He has been telling them they need to get real jobs and work or they can't continue to live at his house. The dad said he called the police because he is a Christian and just wants to do the right thing - even if it means turning in his own sons. He seemed to be sincere.

It did get a little unnerving because the house was located on a dark street and while we were waiting on the street for the dad to come out of the house a large crowd gathered around us. Comprised almost entirely of young men. Being a gringo, not being able to understand the language and what is going on very well, being on a dark street at night, and being surrounded by a bunch of young men that you don't know who may not like what you're doing - sure can make a person feel very, very, very uncomfortable. Sure glad the police stayed close by.

Didn't get our doors back but we do think we left on good terms with the dad and the local community; and, have a new respect for the police. They worked very had to catch the guys and to locate our doors.