Yesterday afternoon was hard. We did the feeding program in the morning with out German, Meghan, and Kapri. (Serena is home for her med school interview…say a prayer for her!) Chrish was able to drive the van, that was fun.
The afternoon came and German switched it up a bit on us, something I was just telling Megs I needed. A change in scenery. The first 3 widows doors we knocked on didn’t answer. The next one was a lady who’s husband was alive but he beats her. Natalia answered the door with a massive black eye. Not quite what I was expecting. She has a special needs child, Paola, 5, and a 6 month old baby. Paola reminded me of my cousin Brittany, the only difference was that Britt carried a light about her where ever she went. Paola could have that light easily but she lives in a dark place. Natalia has a restraining order on her husband, yet he snored away in the living room as we sat and talked to the family. I tried to figure out how hard he had to have hit in order to make her eye look like that. My anger grew. All I wanted to do was hug her and cry. German asked us to pray over her. Normally we start with a roar of voices but we were at a loss. Broken voices quietly cried out to Jesus in what ever words we could muster up for this situation. All of the sudden I was reminded that Natalia’s husband was God’s son too. Jesus died for him just as equally as he died for me. My anger and frustration was of Christ. He doesn’t like to see his children in pain. I was at a loss of words during that prayer but full of emotion. God understands that as well. He can and will answer those types of prayers. Even if you can’t muster up the words for Him, pray any way. He understands and will answer.
Take a moment and pray for Natalia and her family right now. I don’t know how the situation will turn out but I know that God longs for restoration. Pray that her husband is freed from his addiction to alcohol and realizes what he is doing to his family. Pray that the Holy Spirit would flood that house and bring peace and love like only He can.
A few more visits with widows. We know the drill by now. Visit, combs, vitamins, pray, hug, and adios. These widows are precious. I love visiting them. So far we’ve seen tears from more than half we have visited. I think there is something about the style we choose to pray. All out loud at the same time. It invites them to cry out to God verbally and each time one of these ladies choose to open up, we see emotion usually in the form of tears. It might be a quiet stream down her face but we have also heard sobs, faces drenched. God wants to hear our cries. One last stop before we head home. Here is another individual case. Mary is someone German grew up with. She is 45 and sits in bed, unable to speak or move on her own. Her eyes are open, in a blank stare. I look at her and see beauty, intelligence, and love. We talk a bit with her sister and mother who take care of her. It’s time to pray. We are again at a loss for words. Quiet prayers behind tears. I can’t come up with any words of my own so I sing, “Holy Spirit you are welcome here, come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory God is what our hearts long for, to be overcome by your presence lord!” over and over until the prayers are complete. Our work here is not done. We aren’t ready to leave. I want to sing. My favorite song it is, “I Love You Lord.” Man is it hard to sing when you’re crying. The spirit was moving, I could feel it. Someone else says lets sing “Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here.” Done. Still singing through tears. By this time her mother had gotten us all chairs while we sit around Mary. German is talking to Mary’s sister and mother. Kendra says we should speak truth and life into Mary even if she doesn’t understand. What beauty I experienced in my team there today. We prayed some more and sang one more song before we said goodbye. What a glorious day. Full of life.
