“He has sent me…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes” (Isaiah 61:3).
The last month of the Race could not be ending with a better ministry. The days are packed but are truly allowing us to finish strong and hard.
Just outside of La Paz, Bolivia, we are partnering with Mission Adulam, a teen drug rehabilitation program. I was excited to be placed with a ministry I hadn’t had experience with yet but also, did not know what to expect, which I actually think is a good thing when it comes to serving.
From day one of stepping into the girl’s home, I’ve felt a peace. With 12 girls in the program aging from 13-17, I can already say these amazing young ladies have stolen my heart. Some have been in the home for only a month while others over a year. Yet, no matter where they are in their recovery process, there is an overwhelming sense of hope, love and restored innocence among the girls.
They aren’t perfect. We still have to maintain our guard to help keep them accountable. Though we mainly see the prettier parts of their day, there are still ugly and difficult moments as they fight the oppression of their past. But these girls have reminded me of the Gospel. That Jesus truly does offer full redemption. To be seen without blemish. To be made completely new, no blot of the past noted.
These truths were emphasized as we held a night called Beauty for Ashes. Our goal wasn’t to have some ultra-emotional night where their entire stories came flooding out. If that came about through God’s leading, great. But whatever was to come from the time, our prayer was that the Lord would soften their hearts, there would be a trust and comfort for vulnerability, they would experience the freedom found in Jesus and that the truth about who God says they are would reign.
After an icebreaker and splitting into groups, we asked the girls to draw what they think their worth is. It was an interesting question. Some girls began drawing right away, while others struggled to put pen to paper. Once we were all finished, we showed our drawings and explained our “why.”
I was amazed by where some of the girls were in their faith, with drawings that spoke of how God has made them unique, a princess and free. Even my friend J, who didn’t draw anything, blew me away when she opened up. That despite her past, since coming to this place, she feels like a white canvas – someone who gets to begin a new painting of her life.
Once everyone shared, we read them this story:
*John 8:1-11 told in first person narrative form
I was so afraid! Where did they all come from? How had this happened? I tried to run. I tried to hide, but they caught me and began dragging me down the road. They were yelling and calling me bad names. I thought they were about to stone me. I pleaded for my life, but no one listened. They made me feel worthless.
Then they stopped and stood me in front of a crowd that had gathered. They were looking at me, a palled. I could see the judgement in their eye as my captors shouted, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.”
Fear rose in my heart because the law commands adulterous women to be stoned. To them, I wasn’t worth living, I deserved death. I looked up from my shame to see the Teacher they were talking to. Who was this judge they had brought me to? He did not look like the men who had dragged me down the street.
He didn’t look at me with disdain like the village people. In fact, His eyes held no judgement at all. He just began calmly writing His finger in the sand. Finally, He said, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then, He stooped down again and wrote in the dirt.
Miraculously, they all started walking away, first the older ones, then the younger. Finally, only Jesus and I were left. Jesus stood up again and asked, “Woman, who is left to condemn you?” “No one, Sir,” I said in disbelief.
Then He said the most amazing thing, “Then neither do I condemn you; go now and leave your life of sin.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. A few moments ago, I was certain I was about to be killed, but Jesus stepped in and changed everything. He saw me worthy of living!
I was guilty. I knew I was guilty. He knew I was guilty. My accusers knew I was guilty. Yet he didn’t define my value by my actions. He saw my worth and set me free. I knew I could never go back to a life of sin. I have never forgotten the grace He showed me that day.
The story sparked conversation. We asked them what they thought and about times they feel worth less. L shared about how many times she had rejected God, yet when she heard the His Word in the program, she surrendered her life to Him. M opened up about the self-hatred she has. C talked about how far she’s come but how her past brings her back to feelings of shame. R admitted how worthless she feels when others don’t love or choose her.
Yet overall, these girls have heard the truth about how God sees them and loves them. I don’t know what the fruit of that night will be. For the girls who did open up and the ones who didn’t, I pray the truth of Christ’s love and beauty of them outshines and diminishes any lies or pains hidden.
Some other amazing things have happened here at Mission Adulam.
The first day we were here, a graduate of the program came back to surprise the girls. The emotions were high, even for us, as we witnessed hope flood through the doors and encourage the girls who are in the middle of their fight. B, who had been there just a couple months prior, told the girls listening with intent ears and eyes how hard it had been. How all the temptations were still there and even louder, but how faithful God had been and was with her as she transitioned into a life for Him.
And just this week, L progressed on to “phase two” of the recovery program. To celebrate, she had a lunch with her favorite foods and all the staff and some friends from her hometown present. Every person, including the girls, stood and spoke words of truth and encouragement to her. L is a conqueror, and I think Jesus was and is beaming in pride over His daughter.
I’m just in awe of every single girl. The power and promises of restoration and the breaking of chains is witnessed everyday.
Some prayer requests:
- For J, F, R and N to realize the power of Christ’s love and His purpose for them
- For any battles being fought in the dark to be brought into the light
- Strength and perseverance for the long-term staffers
- That my team stay present and finish strong
- Health for my team (altitude sickness, sleep, stomach fun)
And just because different cultural norms never cease to amaze me, here are 3 of my favorite things about Bolivia:
- Tea time takes place twice a day
- The indigenous women wear bustled skirts, knitted shawls and sweaters, wear an apron over it all, and top it all off with a top hat
- The trash comes by sporadically, and they play a jingle like an ice cream truck to announce their coming
P.S. One easy way to support the girls to buy some of their hand-knitted products. Making these products helps the girls learn a skill and gives them something to work for. The money is divided between restocking supplies, the ministry and the girls once they graduate from the program! Products include gloves, baby booties, scarves, beanies, dickies, bracelets, coin purses, pot holders, stockings, tree angels, baby sweaters and a blanket. Prices range from 1-10 USD. Please let me know if you would like to purchase something!
