It’s month 10 on the World Race. After so many goodbyes I thought my heart would grow numb this month. I thought I wouldn’t care and just coast till I went home.
Oh, I was so wrong. 11 teenage boys have captured my heart in Bolivia.
I was assigned to work at the boys rehab house and was honestly scared! I didn’t know what to do or say around them. I didn’t have to worry too long though. They opened up and acted so silly and ridiculous around us. I started to feel at home there.
These boys struggle so much. Many of them come from abusive homes, have lived on the streets and/or have experienced things that I can’t imagine.
I do believe that God broke my heart for what breaks His this month. My heart breaks for each one of these boys.
I am not much of a cryer (something I’m still working through…yay feelings) but these boys have made me cry several times this month. Not just tear up but full on sob. Snots and all!
I started to take on these boys burdens as my own. My shoulders and heart got heavier each day. Then it became too much and I came to a realization.
I can’t do this. Only God can help and lead these boys. I needed to lay these burdens at His feet.
Only God can break their chains.
Only God can give them freedom from their addictions.
Only God can love them in the exact way they need it.
I am leaving Bolivia tomorrow afternoon and I won’t be involved in their life on a daily basis. No matter how much I want to stay, I know that I can’t be there every step of their lives. God can and is there every step.
That is why I pray for them.
Juan and Jose (I will not be using their real names for their privacy) are two best friends in the house and I have grown quite attached to them. We play card games every chance we get and joke with each other all the time.
They also love to make bracelets. Juan recently gave me a bracelet as a gift. He tied it around my wrist immediately. He then gave me another one today with the colors of Peru for my next month…
I have collected a bracelet from each country but none of them have meant as much as these two do.
Every time I see them I think of him and the rest of the boys.
I pray for them.
I pray for freedom.
I pray for broken chains.
I pray for renewed friendships.
I pray for fresh starts.
I pray for wisdom and guidance.
I pray for them to become men of God.
I pray for them to chase after God.
I pray for them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior.
Please join me in prayer.
It’s powerful and works.
These boys need it and so do we.
I will miss each of those boys and Bolivia.
