Loving the One
Trinidad is a beautiful valley surrounded by gorgeous shades of green rolling hills and mountains, but the town is plagued with alcoholism. Yesterday as Josh and I sat under a tree reading the word we were discussing the parable of the lost sheep and how the master leaves the ninety-nine to go after and rescue the one. We believe that the reason we left Palenque and went to the outskirts is to do just that in rescuing the one lost soul.
As we were talking a man named Miguel Chapete began stumbling down the road. It was obvious that he was drunk and that he was partially blind. We greeted him with the traditional, “Buenos Tardes” and he came over to us and sat at our feet. We did not understand what he was saying, but we tried our best to show him compassion as we knew literally an unbelievable opportunity just landed right in front of us. 
Miguel was a broken man and desperately lonely. He asked for a drink and luckily Marissa joined our conversation at this point, because I can’t understand much Spanish. She went inside and got him some water, although we later learned that he was really asking for Cerveza (beer). Next, she brought him some bread; showing love by meeting his felt needs.
Then we proceeded to use the Spanish Dictionary to communicate to him that Jesus loves him and wants a personal relationship with him. Johnny gave Josh his S`panish Bible and he began to read Eph 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.” As Josh read these words Miguel instantly started crying proclaiming that his father and mother left him when he was in second grade. All four of us had compassion on this man living in sin and brokenness. Miguel was trying to numb the pain of abandonment and loneliness with alcohol.
We then invited Miguel to come to church with us and as we walked I began rebuking strongholds over him. While I was praying his demeanor changed entirely and he looked me in the eyes with gentleness as if he was somehow agreeing to my prayers that he could not understand. There was a longing in his empty eyes, as if a glimmer of hope was restored that was once lost.
We arrived at the church and another intoxicated man named Martin joined us. Brian & Stacy led worship as our team and the 2 men were the only one’s in the church. Johnny and Marissa sat with him and did such an incredible job explaining the gospel in Spanish so that Miguel could understand as Josh and I interceded. We layed our hands on him in prayed that he would be healed of brokenness and know the love of the Father in Heaven. Then I felt the Holy Spirit leading us to read Romans 8 to him and Johnny read it in Spanish.
Miguel knew God’s love today, maybe for the first time, maybe just in a really long time, but he knew love in a tangible way. He is significant and he is a precious son of the Lord most high. Later as other members of the community arrived and saw us ministering to him they began to laugh and mock him calling him the “town drunk.” But, today despite the scoffing and judgement he was loved by six strangers from America who all used their giftedness to play a vital role in showing this one lost sheep grace and love. Who knows if this lost sheep came home today? But, seeds were definitely planted. And, not only that, but an entire town got to see us administering God’s love and grace to someone that they considered an outcast. Maybe in some way we were able to impart a new idea of what love is in this village called Trinidad.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” Isaiah 61: 1-2
