January 11
Today we were asked by our VBS leader to go into the Park downtown and ask people to invite them to the camp and enjoy some music (worship) and offer any prayer they might need. This is a place that all the people who do drugs, drink, sleep, pee everywhere and anywhere, prostitutes, you get the point. I never once felt fearful or uncomfortable. I went around walking with our translator Matieo, who speaks fluent English praise, Emilie, and Colby. We passed out fliers to some people, offered prayer, and told them about the programs our ministry site offers. I saw 3 or 4 transgender woman sitting on a bench and a few of them looked familiar from the night before. I walked over to them and introduced myself and laughed as I spoke broken Spanish. Previously I would pray for people in English without Matieo translating, but this time I wanted them to know what I was saying. I can’t remember exactly what I prayed for but I just told them how much God loves them no matter what and that he sees them. I prayed for protection because a lot of them have been abused by men. I prayed for peace and acceptance because they are most likely cast out of their community and family. Most of all I prayed that they could see themselves as God sees them. As we left I had a feeling that they would come to our music/worship night.
We got back had dinner and then prepared the space for people to come and after about 10 minutes I turn around and see not one but TWO of those ladies I prayed over earlier. Daisy and Sophia. I grabbed our ministry host Rebekah, who is amazing and she started a conversation with her. I could tell that she was explaining the services they provide and sensed some resistance from Sophia because of her past. After about 10 minutes of them speaking Rebecca turns to me and tells me that she wanted me to pray over her! Of course I do, but I wanted to get some background first. She tells me that she used to know God, but went her own way and started having to prostitute herself because she has no other choice and didn’t want to come back to the church because she felt so ashamed. I began to speak truth into her tell her that there are things I have done as well that have made me feel ashamed but I know God loves me no matter what, that God loves her, sees her and knows her. I began to pray and honestly can’t even remember it, all I know is that the Holy Spirit was movin cuz tears were flowin!! After that we kind of enjoyed the music when she asked me how long I’ve been in the faith. So I shared my testimony with her and continued to tell her how God can restore our broken parts. And guess what y’all?! She’s coming to church on Sunday and an event we have on Wednesday!! Come someone say Amen?!
Had I stayed home and said no, I wouldn’t have met my new friend Sophia.
Had I stayed home and said no, I wouldn’t have been exposed to so much brokenness people are facing.
Had I stayed home and said no, I wouldn’t be able to take these experiences and use them for the future.
The Lord is opening up my small human mind to tell me that he sees the One.
The One who is hurting.
The One who is lost.
The One who is confused.
The One who is battling suicidal thoughts.
The One who is prostituting themselves.
The One who is caught in drug addiction or alcoholism.
The One who is homeless.
He sees them.
He knows them.
And he LOVES them.
That’s his child.
That he loves unconditionally.
Let’s learn to love like him.
My heart was broken in a million different ways today, but also out back together and gave me hope for the others who are lost as well.
Meet my friend beautiful Sophia. I asked the Lord for one relationship a month and boy did he follow through and then some, she’s an answer to my prayers.
