A Testimony of Transformation: Part 1

Tears instantly sprang to my eyes. I wasn’t expecting them, but I guess they knew the time was right to surface. I let them drip – one at a time – down my cheek. I was sitting in sheer joy and awe of the Lord’s perfect provision. Dan and Josh, two racers, approached Salud, laid their hands on his shoulder and joined him in prayer. A simple act of obedience and a clear demonstration of our Father’s love and provision for his children. My memory lapsed 1 ½ years into the past, and in the place of Dan and Josh, I envisioned Scott (a past racer pictured to the left) standing in agreement with Salud for more of the Lord’s presence in his life. 

The story is still being written before my eyes. A divine circle is being drawn and I forsee the Lord using Salud’s life to pass the blessing of grace and forgiveness to another deeply hurting individual before I leave Palenque for the second time. 

Some of you might remember me talking about Salud last year. Let me give a bit of a refresher for those who may have forgotten or who are just joining me this year. I will paint a simple picture that will serve as a foundation to illustrate the amazing transformation that has taken place (and still is) in this 23 year old man’s life.

When I was in Palenque 1 ½ years ago with the Jan ’07 race, some of my teammates and I came across a man stumbling up the hill towards us. Mind you he was drunk and thought the three of us were his guardian angels. We ‘took advantage’ of our ‘angel status’ and he followed us back to the church where he sat and detoxed for the 2 hours before church service. He was a hurting man under the control of drugs, alcohol and man (gang influence). The Lord had him in the very center of his palm that night and spoke to him as a Father and Healer. Salud gave his life over to the Lord and came back for every service while we were there for the two weeks. As time progressed, his bond with Pastor Nestor grew into a beautiful picture of Father and son.

When I left, Salud became a prayer and a memory…until a week ago the story came back alive. I feel so honored to be a simple player that the Lord wrote back into the story. Salud’s story hasn’t been all roses and daisies, but it is a real demonstration of the fact that the Spirit of the Lord is victorious over the dark powers that try to control the flesh. 

Salud relapsed for about a year and returned to drinking and doing drugs; but during this time the truth still lived in his heart. One night he hit rock bottom and knew something had to change or he didn’t want to live anymore. He returned to the church and they accepted him back with open arms. That was six months ago and since then he has not looked back. The Lord has transformed him from the inside out and the power of the spirit has freed him from the chains of drugs and alcohol. For five months he has been holding a steady job as a cook in a local Italian restaurant. His demeanor has changed as he now serves the Lord and no longer the bottle. 

And just as Christ was raised form the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives…for when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. Romans 6:4b and 7

During church service last night, Salud walked up to the front of the church to receive prayer. He is so hungry for his Father’s love and to give it back in thanks and adoration. This is when Dan (picture below) and Josh joined him in prayer. This is one of the most simple, yet beautiful demonstrations of how the Lord uses His body here on earth to show his love and encourage us forward on our journey. 

The circle is not quite complete. But the story gets better. Another player, Mario, is about to enter and the circle is about to be handed off. It is only fitting that Salud’s circle of transformation is completed by sharing his blessing and testimony with a deeply hurting 20 year old who just started his walk tonight…

Stay tuned.