Abel.

He told me he had gotten in a fight with one of his best friends, Manuel, about a month ago and they haven’t talked since. They had been drinking and they started yelling at each other, which quickly turned into physically fighting. He said they have been friends since they were about 12 years old and I could tell it was killing him to not be talking to Manuel. I asked him if he wanted to reconcile that relationship and he said he did but he didn’t know if Manuel wanted to. He told me every time they passed each other in the street, he would try to say “hey� but Manuel would look the other way. I challenged him to sit down and have a conversation with Manuel before youth night on Friday and get things figured out. I honestly didn’t think he would do it.

Thursday we went to the beach for Thanksgiving, which was fun, but hard knowing we only had a few more days with the youth and we were selfishly wasting an entire day at the beach. However, Abel, Anthony, and Cristofer showed up later on that night and it was so good to see them! I went over and talked to Abel for about an hour and he told me even more of his life story. God’s hand has definitely been over his life. Abel had an operation at age 9 and was in the hospital and recovering for about a year. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with him and they thought he wasn’t going to make it. His mom and a pastor prayed over him for healing and said they felt the Holy Spirit pouring out of them and into his lifeless body. He definitely believes it was a miracle and thanks God often for sparing his life. When he was 15, he was riding his bike with a friend and they got hit by a truck and were launched through the air. He came out without a broken bone. God clearly has big plans for his life and he doesn’t even know it yet. He really has a heart for people and tells me he wants to help street kids. I think God is going to use him in big ways to bring redemption to some of his friends that are caught up in gangs, drugs, alcohol, and violence.

When I saw Abel on Friday morning, I asked him if he had talked to Manuel yet and he said he stopped by his house but he was at work. I asked if he planned on going back later to talk to him and he said he would. When he came back later on Friday he told me he had talked to him and there were no more problems��”everything was great and they were friends again. I was kind of hesitant to believe it was that easy but no more than 5 minutes later, Manuel came to the church looking for him. I am so proud of Abel for being willing to solve their problems and reconcile their friendship.

Friday night, we did some worship with the youth and Abel went off to the side by himself to worship and pray. I could tell God was working on something in his heart. He used to sit with his friends and mess around during worship but now he makes it a point to get off to the side by himself and truly worship God. It is amazing to see the transformation in just a matter of weeks. When we were ready to move out to the bon fire, he went to the back of the church and stared out into the darkness. I went over and stood by him silently for a few minutes. Then, I prayed over him. I thanked God for who he is and where he has come from. I prayed that he would be raised up as a leader and be an example to his friends and the guys in youth group. I thanked God for his heart to help people. When I was done praying, he hugged me and I asked if he wanted to talk more or head over to the bon fire. He said he just wanted some time alone to think and talk to God.

Tonight during worship I looked over and Abel was off to the side worshiping hard-core with eyes closed and hands raised. Between songs he was crying out to God in prayer. At one point, Pastor Bismark went over and prayed for him. At the end of service, people went up to the front to get prayer. When I looked over, I saw Christy and Alex praying over Abel really intensely. He was clearly moved and God is definitely working in his heart and in his life. He turned to Anthony and gave him the biggest hug I’ve ever seen them give each other. He is going to be a leader and a huge part of this change. Thank God for allowing me to be a part of his life!!