Last month, my team was assigned the ministry of finding Unsung Heroes. Unsung Heroes are men and women who are dedicated to serving some of the most impoverished populations in the world, yet rarely receive recognition for their dedication and service. And so, this month, ministry looked like travelling throughout Honduras seeking out Unsung Heroes that the World Race could partner with in the future. It was a month of watching in amazement as God seamlessly led us through the country; a true testament to his faithful provision and favor. It was a month of sharing stories; sharing the beautiful story God has written for each of us, and the way he works for our greatest joy and his glory. Jesus knew I needed to hear those stories; the story of remaining even when things are challenging. The greater story that Jesus is with me in all seasons—with me in the cold of winter and in the hope and rebirth of spring.
The story of Kim and Rick Beck is one such story that deeply touched me, and I want to share that story with you, hoping you will find encouragement as well.
Unsung Heroes is a month of seeking balance. Balance between planning and letting God lead the way. As we were planning the cities we were going to visit, many of my teammates and I felt a pull to Tegucigalpa. We weren’t sure why, what was there, but we felt the Lord pulling us there; and while our hearts knew this, our reasoning, the logical side, presented all the reasons we shouldn’t go. The crime rate. The cost of hostels. But despite all that, we took a leap of faith, and decided to go. We sent a few emails, hoping for recommendations of a place to stay, and got a response from the Becks offering for us to stay in their home. And so, we graciously accepted; from the moment we stepped into their house, it felt like home. The Becks are originally from Memphis, but have been living in Honduras for many years now. While their work in ministry during their time there has affected countless individuals, I want to share the story of how they changed the lives of five children forever.
One facet of the Beck’s ministry is prison ministry, and during their time in the prisons, they met a girl named Isabelle. Isabelle was a notorious gang member, responsible for countless murders, and a very influential figure in the prison. She stood in stark opposition to the Beck’s efforts to share the gospel, and would threaten other women who showed interest in the gospel message. And although she made it clear she had no intention in hearing about Jesus, she began to show an interest in the Becks. Something inside of her was drawn to them (clearly, it was Jesus), and before long, she was calling them mom and dad. As she got to know them better, she asked them one favor: to find her brothers and sisters. She wanted them to look after them, make sure they were okay, since she couldn’t. Now there are an estimated one million plus people living in Tegucigalpa. There was truly no way to go about looking for these children. But the Becks resolved to pray for the children, reassuring Isabelle that they would pray for God to place someone in her siblings lives that could care for them. Isabelle was relentless in her pleas, and the Becks were relentless in prayer. The Becks prayed for her siblings for eight solid months, trusting that the God who sees, sees Isabelle’s siblings and was going to provide for them.
During this time, the Becks moved to a new home, and were immediately welcomed by the street kids in the neighborhood. The kids came to their home, knocking on the gate, hoping the new Americans in the neighborhood would give them food, shoes, just something. Now it was Christmas at this time, and the news was full of announcements and warnings about how home owners should not open their doors to children they do not know, as there were many scams and robberies going on and many children were responsible. Days later, the same street children that first welcomed them show up knocking on the gate; and while Kim knew of the news stories, Matthew 25 spoke louder; “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.” So she thought, Ill just lower some bananas over the gate; I won’t have to really get involved, but I can feed them. So she did, and the next day, they were back. So she found some extra clothing around the house, a few flip-flops, and once again, lowered them over the gate. The sheer joy she saw that day was enough to warm and break her heart. And although she tried her best not to get involved, her heart took over; she couldn’t help it. So what began as an effort to just give these kids a few bananas, turned into so much more.
Meanwhile at the prison, things with Isabelle took a dramatic turn. In a moment of true desperation, Isabelle realized her need for a savior, and came to accept Jesus. The Becks could hardly believe it. Isabelle went from the girl that threatened to stab the girls who did Bible study to the girl that made sure everyone was doing their Bible study. That change, that’s Jesus. Now during her sentence, Isabelle’s mother passed away. Unfortunately, she did not receive permission to attend the funeral. The Becks decided to make a scrapbook for Isabelle, a way to capture the memories she shared with her mom and siblings. So they got some pictures developed. And in God’s perfect timing, they drove home with the pictures, and Kim began flipping through them as they pulled into the neighborhood. When the street children saw the Beck’s van turn into the neighborhood, they would jump on and welcome them back home. That day was no different. And as Kim flipped through the pictures, one of the kids grabbed a photo, and upon looking at it, yelled to another kid near by, “look, they have a picture of your sister, Isabelle.” And in that moment, everything fell into place. For eight months the Becks had been praying for Isabelle’s siblings; and for eight months they had been forming a relationship and loving those exact kids. That part still gives me goose bumps. So the Becks decided to foster the siblings, and they quickly became family. Now the road ahead wasn’t always easy; the hurt, the brokenness, the pain of the past was still a part of those children’s lives. And while it was heart-wrenching for the Becks to see their children carry the weight of their past, it was the beginning of a whisper the Lord was speaking to Kim about a future he was calling them to. Throughout the process of raising these children and working through their brokenness, the Lord put the idea of a Healing Ranch on Kim’s heart; a place that could bring restoration to the body, soul, and spirit of children and adults alike. A place of refuge. Although the plans for the ranch are still in the beginning phase, I can see the impact that this place is going to have on so many who are hurting and in need of the redemptive power of Jesus. While the road ahead may be marked with challenges, I know that the Lord has prepared them for this season, and I ask that you join me in praying for this family, the Healing Ranch, and for all the lives they are going to touch through their ministry!
