While in Peru, part of our ministry is to do door to door ministry, or as they like to call it here, “person to person”. We do most of our “person to person” ministry in an area called Alto Trujillo, which is extremely poor and flooded with problems. The demographic of the area includes the following:
- Young mothers who’s husbands or boyfriends left them
- Many people with illnesses, diseases, and disabilities
- Young children and teenagers who run through the streets unsupervised, getting into all sorts of trouble
- Families who struggle with abuse and addiction
For obvious reasons, this area is perfect for sharing testimonies, and of course the great love story! I have my testimony written out in Spanish, and although I am terrible at reading it, I am able to communicate the Lord’s work in my life… Which makes me very excited.
The other day we went to Alto Trujillo and visited three houses. The first house that we came to was also a little market, known as a tienda. We were invited to enter the gate of the house, and it was there that I shared my testimony. I later discovered that the lady’s husband was sick and bedridden, which explains why she said he could not come out to meet us. Once I learned of his state, I asked if I could be allowed to enter his room and pray for him. I walked through a few bed sheets which were serving as walls, and found a man laying in a bed. The man, not sure of his name, was 89 years old and he had fallen two years ago. I knelt down, held his hand, and prayed over him. I prayed for healing in the name of Jesus. However, it was after I had finished praying that God laid on my heart to pray for salvation. We hugged and kissed and were sent on our way with some coconut cookies.
The next house we visited was owned by a lady who was washing clothes. She met us at the door, and with wet hands motioned that she did not want us to enter. She seemed embarrased, ashamed, and hardened. Pastor Julian asked her for only 5 minuted of her time. She stood silent for a moment, and breaking the silence, Julian asked if I could share my story. I fumbled through my story and at the end, a few bricks of her wall had fallen down. We asked to pray for her and her family. She said yes. I moved closer to touch her, and as I did she withdrew further into her house and behind the front door. I stopped and respected her space. I prayed for her walls to come down. I know a few bricks were removed that day, and God is working on the rest. Julian gave the lady his cookies for her 3 boys and we were off.
The last house we visited was also another tienda, but this time we were greeted by a 16 year old girl. She was young, beautiful, and held sadness in her eyes. I shared my testimony for the last time that day and she looked at me with wonder. I could tell she wanted everything I have, but doubted she could ever obtain it. I mustered up the courage to speak a few words in Spanish: “You are young and beautiful. You are special and God loves you greatly. God is all you need… He is everything”. That’s all I had, but I think it was enough. I hugged her and could feel her pain. But I also know the peace that awaits her is she will reach out and take it.
All day long I was praying for healing over the people. I did this because I believe that God wants healing for His people… So why not ask for it? Although, later that day I learned something one of my squad leaders had said. She said, “Call people healed. Speak it over them. Do this because they ARE healed… Whether today, or tomorrow, or in heaven, they will be healed. So say it and believe it.”
So now when I pray, I say to them, “Be healed in the name of Jesus. I call you healed by the price paid on the cross for your sins”… I say it believe it.
In Him,
Catalina
Lauren and I in a house in Alto Trujillo having a youth small group… What a family photo!
