“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?’ Then the king will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’.” Matthew 25:37-40
After a couple days spent with Gracie Murphee, the director of Heart of Christ ministry along with her husband Lee, the Lord brought this scripture to my mind. I have always said that I have a desire to serve the least of these, and on previous mission trips I almost feel disappointed when we stay in an air conditioned, nicely equipped facility rather than going out into the villages and into the hard areas where poverty is overwhelming and love on these people right where they are. Well, Gracie takes this calling to the next level. Not only does she go out into the hard places, but she risks her life going to rescue women trapped in abusive situations and she opens her home as a refuge for young girls who have become pregnant due to rape and/or incest. These are girls are cast out from their families due to their pregnancy and the government nor the orphanage and foster care systems will help them. They literally have no one and nowhere to go. These are the cases no one wants to deal with. This is the hard stuff that seems too overwhelming and too hard to take on. No one wants to jump into these situations…… No one except Gracie Murphee.
The Heart of Christ is the ONLY foster home in Honduras for girls who are victims of rape and incest and the ONLY foster home in the country of Honduras that will take in children with special needs. Grace houses 6 young mothers and their babies, 3 toddlers abandoned by their mothers (including precious Alejandro, see my blog titled “Growing Pains”), and 2 girls with cerebral palsy. Here they have formed a family of misfits, and all are clothed and fed and educated and most importantly taught about Jesus Christ.
Despite death threats from numerous abusive husbands and corrupted police, Gracie not only offers these girls and children refuge, but she does not stop there and fights for justice for the victims. Scripture tells us in Proverbs 31:8, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed." That is exactly what she does. I have never met anyone who so truly walks in the authority and power of the Holy Spirit and fears no evil. She is quite literally changing the country of Honduras and giving hope to those who would otherwise have none. She opens her home to those who would otherwise have nowhere to go. She fights for justice, for safety, and for the life of those who society casts out. She sounds like a superhero, but rather she is the perfect definition of an Unsung Hero. She does all these things and brings the kingdom of God to Honduras by scraping by on a month to month budget provided by a few donors that is less than her estimated monthly costs but nevertheless the Lord provides. This woman is an inspiration and truly serves the least of these fearlessly in the name of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about how you can help Gracie fight for justice and offer love and refuge to those God has brought into her care by visiting her website at www.heartofchristhonduras.org
