Caleb Barton Update- 03/27/2011

Hi everyone, 

I have some encouraging news about an 11year old boy named Ubert. The first time I saw Ubert was about seven months ago. At this time most of the children were softening up to us. They were giving us high fives and running out to meet us as we walked by. One day Brandon and I were walking to the store and I noticed some kids ahead. Expecting a high five and a warm welcome I was shocked when I was greeted with a middle finger and curse words. This was Ubert and all the other kids followed his lead. Ubert walked around town as if he was ten feet tall, swinging his arms and causing trouble everywhere he could. His father and brothers did not disapprove or approve, they just do not care. I'm sure most will think at this point, poor boy, no money, no one to care for him, he is just an eleven year old trying to get attention any way he can. Well this is what I thought and I had sympathy for him. The Lord prompted me to pray for him, so I did. He would come on our property trying to fight roosters or crossing into the jungle to steal coconuts, which is a very serious crime. I would give him candy to build trust and over time I saw his heart begin to soften. Ubert began to come over in the early morning and I would feed him, pay him to go to the store and talk about whatever we could. I remember one day I asked him if he wanted to go to the store with me, he said yes. As we began to walk he grabbed my hand and held it till we got in view of people, then he stopped holding my hand and walked away until I headed back. He was softening, but he still wouldn't acknowledge us in town, he had a reputation. At this time we began the Saturday out reach for the children. I finally got Ubert to come after weeks of hounding him. I was shocked to see how scared the other kids were of him. They all told Pastor Josh that he was going to end up in prison and if any of the kids saw him coming they would walk the other way.
Now the story takes a turn and it will be a heart check for all who read it, however God will be glorified. When the kids were coming on Saturday, as well as other days in the week, I was warned at separate times by the senior pastor and the head pastor at the school to keep a very close eye on the children. They explained that the year before a young girl was tied to a tree and raped. I took the advice and watched the children very closely. On a certain Saturday the senior pastor and I were sitting and watching the children and he pointed out Ubert as the one who tied the girl to the tree and raped her. I was shocked and did not believe it; I felt that he most likely heard that it was Ubert by people that were blaming it on the bad kid. I fought to keep him around and promised I would keep a close eye on him at all times. A month went by and Ubert consistently came on Saturday and was opening up and playing well with the other children. Then the truth came out. The family I am closest to in the Philippines confronted me and further warned me about Ubert. They confirmed that the girl was savagely rapped and tied to a tree and when she admitted who did it, she said Ubert. I took the warning and once again told them what the Lord had spoken to me about Ubert. I took heat for this, but I know what the Lord told me! As time went on Ubert became more and more friendly. He interacted very well with the kids and although he is the tough guy, the kids are not afraid of him any longer. One problem, he and some of the other kids would not get near the message given on Saturday. The Lord spoke to me that the Word is living and it is living through me and the others at the school. I rested in that and continued to show the love of Christ to him and the other troubled kids. We all would ask Ubert often to go to church and every time he would give a disgusted look and say NO! This went on for months. Two weeks ago Ubert came up to me and said he wanted to go to church! I was so shocked. I had Kimmy translate to make sure I was hearing him right. To be honest I knew the Lord had called Ubert but I did not feel like I would see this day. I talked to him about it, as Kimmy translated and told him to come by tomorrow. I couldn't believe it when he came by with a couple kids the next day, which was Sunday. He was very wary about going because he was scared and the poor kid has absolutely nothing to wear. I promised him that if he went I would by him Sunday cloths. He became very excited and said ok. Thank God! He went and loved it! His butt was hanging out the whole time because of what he was wearing, but that did not stop him from running around like he owned the place. It gets even better, during the week, the week we are currently in, Ubert has asked about church many times and has told the other kids that we could never get to go, to go. Now we have several of the kids who never would go to church telling me they are going to go! UBERT IS OUT TELLING THE TOUGH KIDS TO GO TO CHURCH AND THEY ARE LISTENING! This brings me to current, I have his clothes, thanks to my mom and dad’s extra donation and I cannot wait to give them to him. This is the grace of God, the Lord has told me and I tell others, Jesus chooses people like Ubert and me so there is no question about who changed us and it is only by God's grace that we stand before you. God's grace is shown in all our lives, however, it is clearly seen in a life like Uberts and my own. As Paul said, "Where sin abounds, grace abounds more." Thank you Lord for your grace and favor, thank you for showing us this changing grace in Ubert, for only You and You alone can save a life like ours. Thank you!