I met Norma Clemente in front of the Barrio Obrero Church in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I’d heard about the work she was doing with at-risk children and wanted to ask her about it.
Norma Clemente is from Buena Vista, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in San Juan, the capital and largest city of Puerto Rico. Though she grew up there, it is so dangerous that if she is at church late at night and her husband is working, she stays with a friend rather than go home.
The Call
In 2023 Norma attended an IMPACT Community Church Planting training course at her church. A short while later, in prayer, she felt the Lord say, “Take care of the children.” “What children?” she replied. “The children in the neighborhood,” God said. Norma interjected, “I know the condition that God brought me out of and I know He can do the same for anyone.” But she wasn’t sure about taking care of the kids’ because of the danger. Would she put them or herself at risk?
First Steps
Norma knew about an abandoned, run-down basketball court in Buena Vista. In obedience to God’s call, Norma and her son and nephew worked to clean it up and return it to a usable space. Then they made fliers and sent an invitation on Facebook for children to come to the court and learn about Jesus.
“And the kids came?” I asked, a little skeptical. “Of course,” she said. “The parents know me and trust me.” Just like that, she started a weekly gathering with kids and then some family members, studying the Bible and working through IMPACT discipleship materials – This is what we call a House of Peace. Members from the nearby Barrio Obrero Church supported Norma as they met with an average of 20 children per week plus family members.
It has Not Been Easy – Alligators!
It has not been without opposition. “Shortly after I started things began to heat up.” There were three or four murders a month just in the neighborhood. Some of the community leaders questioned whether she could lead a church group in a public place. And then there were the alligators.
The most unexpected challenge of all came about a year later. The government began to dredge a canal right next to the basketball court. As they pulled out trees and undergrowth, alligators left their old homes to take up residence around the basketball court. It was no longer safe to meet there. The Wednesday night meetings had to be suspended for months as they tried to find a new location.
But the Work Goes On As we talked, Norma greeted several people entering Barrio Obrero Church. As one lady went in she said, “She’s from my neighborhood. Her son was killed violently and she went into deep depression. I’ve been able to share the gospel with her and we will be starting a House of Peace in her living room soon.” This will add to the eight Houses of Peace in the greater San Juan area.
Step by Faithful Step This is what it looks like to plant a house church, impact a neighborhood, and begin to transform a community. There are 1190 house churches and over 1250 leaders like Norma all over Latin America, sharing the Word and caring for God’s people, just like this.
Impact Latin America is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation.