Hello all!
Well we're halfway through with our month long adventure! And the Lord
has been doing a lot for and in us.
We started out the month pleading with ISNA,the government
organization in charge of the well being of the orphans, to let us
know where some of the HIV orphans had been moved. The assistant
director gave us access to this information and permission to go into
the orphanages while we're here this month. Some of the children had
been moved the a larger orphanage near San Salvador and some still
live in Zakatecolouca.
We met a young man named Edwin. He's a young man in Zakate who is
dealing with some mental disabilities. The assistant directors words
were that "Nothing works" and "There is no hope". He was found in the
mountains of Honduras, on the run. He was violent and psychotic at
times, beating himself and others. He has scars along his body, simply
from self harm. the assistant director said that "He is the worst case
we have ever had".
When we got there and met Edwin for the first time, he went around
greeting all of us and we got to sit down and share the Gospel and
sing songs. The entire time Edwin was very attentive and Mike made
sure to speak encouraging words to him. After playing some games with
the kids, Mike had us all break off into different groups with the
kids to share the Gospel. Oliver and Mike took Edwin off to a private
place to speak with him. After about 2 hours when we all met up and
began to play some more with the kids Edwin, Mike and Oliver came back
and there was a noticeable change in Edwin. He came up to the group of
us very somber and clinging to a Bible. He came up to me and pointed
to the Bible and simply said "Me Gusta". Which in translation means "I
like this" or "I love this". I told him that I also love it and that I
loved him. He pulled me into a hug, he gives the best hugs. Mike would
later tell us that while speaking to him, Edwin was caressing and
kissing the Bible, holding it to his chest and keeping it near him. He
had asked Mike if he could keep the Bible, but the Bible belonged to
Paul, and we hadn't brought any Bibles to give out. He said he wanted
it with him at night, just in case. But here's the thing, Edwin is
illiterate. Without even being able to read ti himself, Edwin knew the
importance of God's Holy Word and wanted it near him at all times. Let
Edwin's desire for the Word admonish you like it has me. I can't
remember the last time I literally clung to the Word because of how
precious it is. Seeing how attached Edwin was to the Book, Paul told
him he could keep it. The wails that came from Edwin after, I will
never forget. He sobbed as he clung to Paul and the Bible. This young
man, only 15 years old, was experiencing family, love, and grace all
in one day, things he probably never experience before. Needless to
say, Edwin cried out to the Lord that day, and we have a beautiful new
brother in the Lord.
But, my friends, the enemy is crafty and was not happy with what
happened that day. We tried to get permission to let Edwin stay with
us at La Esperanza for a few days, and gained permission from ISNA,
but when we went to the orphanage we were met with a horrible story.
Apparently the nuns and the orphanage had heard about what had
happened and Edwin's Bible, and had taken it from him and thrown it
away. At this action, Edwin became violent and began hurting himself
and punching out the windows. He was admitted to the Psych Ward, and
we have not seen him since.
It breaks my heart, the evil in some people's hearts. But I ask you to
pray for these people who have taken Edwin's Bible. Young Edwin
understood something that the hardness in their hearts will not allow
them to see. Edwin has hope, but these women will have to stand before
the Lord one day to answer for what they've done. I only hope they
have repented on this side of heaven before that day comes.
The men from our later Lakeside team were able to visit the orphanage
as well, and Lorenzo was able to have some precious time with a young
man named Reuben. In talking and praying with him, we have another
brother in the Lord! Reuben is a 14 year old HIV positive boy, who
understands too well just where he is in life. When Lorenzo asked what
he would like to be prayed for, all Reuben said was "For someone to
love me enough to take me home." Let the testimony of Reuben be a
reminder that there are children out there who don't only ask for a
new toy, or to go see the latest movie, but simply for love, and for
someone to care about them.
The Lord is moving greatly in El Salvador, but the enemy is active as well.
Our project at the school next to La Esperanza in El Salvador was a
success! we were able to lay and large slab of concrete to be turned
into a soccer and basketball court!
We were able to spend some time in Honduras. The church is alive and
growing! I would ask for prayer for the growth of the church in
villages like Hacienda Grande and Ostuman. And the Word is spreading
in Guatemala as well! Mike has spoken of looking for land in Guatemala
to start a church plant! The people are hungry for more of God's word.
We heard of a dear sister, a woman whom I remember from last year.
I'll give you a bit of her story. Last year when we were working on
Dominga's house, a woman with her baby would be watching us work. One
day she spoke to one of our translators, Celenita, and told her she
would like us to pray over her. After Mike spoke to her we learned
that her young baby was very sick and that she had gone to the witch
doctor for healing, but that the hard work we had been doing was
testimony enough for her to know that we served the true God. Mike
admonished her, asked her to repent and then had her bury the
bracelet. We prayed over her and her child and split our ways from
there. She had been on my mind from time to time, but when we arrived
in Honduras this year, we learned that since that day she had been a
faithful sister in the Lord and she was constantly growing. How
encouraging to know that seeds only planted last year were growing
beautiful fruit! She came to the baptism and helped lead worship, her
baby boy with her, healthy as could be!
But, we need to pray for our sister, whose name is Araseilis. She has
a hard back story. She is a widow and has been living with her father
for the past couple of years. She can hardly afford money for food and
her living situation is less than desirable. Her father is a violent
man and refuses to help her because she refuses his sexual advances.
She is trapped in a home, with a father who constantly tries to rape
her. This is the sad reality of the depravity of man. That a father
would try to rape his daughter. I hope you are angered by this, but
that your anger remains righteous and develops into prayer for this
man. The darkness of his heart is causing him to hurt his own flesh
and blood.
We took up a love offering to help build a small room, away from her
father's house, that she could live in. The Lord was gracious and we
were able to raise the funds so she can live away from her father.
Please pray for our sister, who finds hope in the Lord, even when
terrorized by her earthly father.
We've had bits of sickness roam around through the team. Fevers,
vomiting and stomach issues have been a problem. But I do believe it
is beginning to pass, and thank the Lord that He has given us a few
days of reprieve, so we can truly rest.
We are only a little over half way through and the Lord is already
pushing us, so I ask that you pray for endurance and unity among us to
finish well.
Something you may be able to help with:
La Esperanza in Honduras has been without steady water for almost 5
years now. This needs to change. SOS is looking into buying a nearby
property that has a natural spring for water, so that La Esperanza can
have water independent from the Catholic-run government that shuts off
there water. We are looking to raise funds to help with this process,
so if you feel inclined, please give to the cause.
I thank you all for your prayers and thoughts, it means a lot to the
whole team. I will try and update you again when we have internet
access.
Love Always,
Christina
