Redemption

Today was absolutely incredible!! We met with Lillian and her four boys in their house to talk about the new plans for them and their house. The meeting had been totally covered in prayer-that Lillian and the boys would respond well to the plans we had for them and that the meeting would be led by the Spirit. That really set the tone for the Lord to come in and work in their hearts and their lives during the meeting. 

[Carlos, 13]

Tony began to share what God had laid on his heart this morning in Haggai, which he had never read before. The Lord commanded the people to rebuild the temple but the people continued working on their own houses. When the people refused to listen, the Lord sent a messenger that spoke to the people, “I am with you, declares the Lord” (Haggai 1:13). And the Lord stirred up the spirit of the people and they came and worked on the house of the Lord. As the people obeyed the Lord, he spoke to them through Haggai once more saying, “…from this day on I will bless you” (Haggai 2:19). Then Tony began explaining the stipulations-there are three things he wants them to commit to in order to receive 1 lb. of rice and 1 lb. of beans per day to share. 

The boys’ commitments:

• School-5 days/week at La Roca 

o If they are sick or have a prior commitment, they must ask permission from the teacher or pastor to miss school that day. 

• Quit drugs-absolutely no more, NO excuses!!

• Church-attend church as a family every week, continue seeking the Lord

The idea is that this will teach them responsibility and how to share and spend more time together as a family. After Tony presented the message and stipulations, he asked Lillian if she understands and agrees. She would also be required to move back in with her boys after we tear down their house and rebuild it. Tony asked her if she wants to sell the old building materials or donate them and she said she wants to give them to an even poorer family across the way that lives under a tarp. Nobody was expecting that answer-praise God for changing her heart and breaking it for others who are even less fortunate than her. She also talked about some of her past-how she was abused, forced into prostitution, and had a gun held to her head but she continued to fight for her sons. She was crying at this point and Carlos began sobbing as he layed his head in my lap. She loves her boys a lot, but she chooses to live in the dump so she can eat. However, she does want to change and she wants to live in the new house with her family. She knows God is changing her and she is definitely open to that change. Her life is an incredible testimony of God’s redemption.

[first night we met Lillian 3 weeks ago]

Update on my heart:
My heart is broken for these boys, full of love, and feeling pretty much every other emotion possible. Overwhelmed with how much there still is to do here. Sad that we have to leave in a week. Leaving here is going to be really really hard for me, but also just thinking about what it’s going to do to the boys who have never had consistency or love in their lives. They are so used to people leaving and walking out on them and we are just going to continue that cycle.

[Josue, 14]

Prayer request: My hope and prayer is that it doesn’t cause them to backslide into drugs since they have been clean for a few weeks. I know that Satan is going to try to tempt them even more and I just pray for strength against the temptation.

Also, check out my teammate Christy’s blog for more details on the meeting: http://christyplummer.theworldrace.org/?filename=09B41EA0C7E24971A5664F1CA633A1