Okay, so on Tuesday, we changed our typical schedule for Los
Pinos up a little bit. Tony believes what we are doing here is great, but
thinks it is time to go deeper. Obviously, with our limited Spanish, that poses
a problem. The relationships are already there, so how are we going to make an
eternal impact on their lives?
Both groups met in Los Pinos, along with Tony who picked
Lillian up on the way. Sumaya, Tony’s and now our good friend was also present
to translate the meeting. In the boys’ 3-walled shack, the 20 of us crammed in,
all sitting on the dirt floor surrounded by random pieces of half broken
furniture, the tarp (4th wall) blowing in the wind, and complete
filth. The intensity in this tiny room was more than I have ever felt in my
entire life. Tony met with the entire family 3 weeks ago at church, but he made
sure to tell them this meeting was more important than the initial one. Since
they have continued going to church together like he asked, he was taking the
next step with them. He shared the story from the book of Haggai with them,
which relates to what is going on in their family and the
deconstruction/construction of their home.
He made sure to tell them it was a blessing that each of us
was in that home yesterday, not just them. It all started from one
relationship, his with Carlos, and something is now happening with all of us.
We are all growing from this, and we’re all being affected. I sure know I am.
He went on to inform them that anything we give them are not gifts from us, but
from God, even though most people won’t think that. He made a good point, which
we all can take from. “If we take from God, we need to give back.” We can do
this within our relationship with Him. Then he made a proposition to
each of them, because it will take responsibility. He proposed to them a
feeding plan, which he is trying to begin through support. If his new website
goes as plans, and support begins coming in, he wants to provide the family
with rice and beans etc. each week. The terms were however, the boys must 1) go
to school everyday, 2) they will quit drugs forever, and 3) continue their
relationships with God. It is amazing how each of them, including Lillian, had
changed thus far, but he wants to make sure these changes are real. He made the
decisions personal for each of them, and gave them each an opportunity to
answer independently, and repeat the terms back to him. I weeped as the mother
shared a testimony of how serious she is taking this and as each of the boys
willingly agreed to give up their life and live for God, meaning they were
taking on the responsibilities He has for them.
Once this was finished, he explained to them what God wanted
from them. Remember the two blog titles . . . God wants to know, “Do we believe
in Him? and, are we going to follow Him”. The blessing this family will receive
will only begin with the food if they continue to follow God. Tony plans to
follow up with the family in a week and see how everything went and continue
from there. He shared with them the seriousness of spiritual warfare and how
the Devil would attack them even more so after they have made this decision,
because he hates this. The drugs will be in front of them more than ever, and
they will be tempted and have more opportunities to stray. As crazy as it may
have sounded to them, Tony told each of the boys to recognize when this was
happening and tell the Devil to leave! Also, this is why prayer and planting
yourself in church is so vital to the Christian walk. This exact moment was
such a huge turning point in each of their lives.
This exact moment was also one of the most powerful moments
in my life. As I sit on the dirt floor weeping, staring into Lillian and the
boys’ eyes, God spoke to me. Christy, Do
you believe me? Will you follow me? These people have nothing in the eyes of the World, but they have decided to . . so what are you waiting for? It hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only this year, but
this life is not my own, but His. My love comes from Him, and my life should glorify
Him in all ways. I have a right to nothing in my life, because it all belongs to Him. No wonder I have been in such a funk if I haven’t been in the
Word. The Devil uses times in our lives like this to attack us in any way
possible. I need to be in the Word, I need to be filling myself with the truth,
not the lies of the Devil. This may sound simple to you, or obvious even, but it isn’t always. Following God this year means I have alot of responsibility to hold up on my end. He has blessed me with so much, and in return He deserves more than I will ever be able to give Him. However, all He wants is me, and to use me. Crazy!
That’s about all for now. We will start the demolition process of the boys’ home on Friday, and the World Race teams coming next month will hopefully have a part in constructing their new home. Lillian plans on returning to live with her boys in the near future. Pray she holds to this statement, as well as the boys to their promises to God. Pray they would have strength to refute the Devil’s attacks at them and they would have a hedge of protection around them at all times. Also, pray for me. That I would continue to listen to God’s voice and His direction from this point on. It will be difficult to leave Honduras, but I know this family and this city are in God’s hands.
Team [Rooted 19:30] is heading to Candelaria, Nicaragua in less than a week!
