Last week in Ciudad we befriended a new working street girl, Cecilia. I spoke to her at length and found out that she attends the mormon church, teaches their bible in sunday school for adults, volunteers as a director for a school and is in charge of dealing with 700 parents. As far as she was concerned, the only thing wrong in her life is her prostitution. And she knew that had to change and talked about being a street vendor to get out of prostitution. Today, she told me that she is a licensed lab tech for orthodontic prosthesis but she worked for a dentist who didn't pay her very much and that she only wants to work for a Christian dentist now. It is interesting to note that when we want to take the easy route, we will justify anything and everything in our own heads so as not to have to do anything overly hard or difficult. Cecilia is able to work a proper job that will allow her dignity but she chooses the easy road; the path of less resistance. In doing so, she loses her dignity, self esteem, the core of who she is and walks farther away from God.
We see a lot of this in Ciudad. And this is why our job is not easy. It's not just about converting someone to Christ. It's about getting them to be hooked on to Christ and then see that they truly need to change from the inside out, from their way of thinking to habitual behaviour. It's about having them learn to leave aside their pasts to move into the future and hope that God has planned for them. It's about helping them understand why they behave they way they do and how to change that. It's about truly just saying that our "problem" is really sin and there is only one solution: repentance. I guess we are showing them that we choose to stick with them, choose to love them, to be their friends, to accept them despite what they do; that with them, we choose the harder road and that we will not give up on them. One day, the Lord will open their eyes to see Him, I just hope it's soon. For their sakes.
Today, I saw Angie, this girl from way back when who used to sell her body. Back then, the Lord gave me a precise Word for her and she left with tears. I saw her a couple of months after that and she told me she had stopped hanging out on the streets with the same people and was staying home more. I was happy for her. Today, she saw me and greeted me happily. I was pleased to see her and she looked really well. She has stopped hanging out on the streets of Ciudad and now works with her mom in her mom's carpintry workshop. It was a joy to see her and it touched me that she was happy to see us. Jessica (of jessica and henry) saw me too and called out to me and she had both her kids with her. She said that she hangs out more at her mom's house now because the older boy is sick. I hope she decides to stay away from the streets more for the sake of her children. Luis has not appeared since we saw him on his birthday. He has my number and email but has not contacted me. I want to know if he's ok. But this is how it is on the streets, we sow the seed of the love and the good news of the gospel and we have to pray lots and trust that the Holy Spirit will care for His own because so often after, we never know what happens to them as they're so transient. The fact that I haven't seen Luis is a good sign. I'm hoping he has gone to his uncles to live with them.
Tonight it was Elizabeth, Luchin and me. When we went to see the working street girls, we split up so that we could be more effective in conversing with them. I got to share how God has been blessing Luchin and I and it was good to just be able to share what God's doing in our lives and letting them know that God cares about the everyday details of our lives too. Luchin had to come "rescue" me later as this creepy man was lurking behind me while I was talking to the girls thinking that I was one of them. If there were no johns there would be no prostitutes. I think that the next time we're out there, we need to also talk to the johns. This job sure is interesting. I have to admit that I do love my life as it's never ever boring!!!
Your prayers are coveted, please do not stop praying for them and the ministry and us who lead it. Thanks.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Little by Little; Bit by Bit
I always learn new things which is good as it indicates that I am not dead. So, on the way to Ciudad tonight, I had to take a taxi as Fedex didn't show up with my parcel until 7:30pm. Talking to the cab driver, I found out he used to live in Ciudad, used to do drugs because of the people he hung out with and knew all of the guys out there. He was surprised there are still guys out there as he thought they had all moved downtown. I told him they are still there. He told me he left that lifestyle when his daughter was born and he completely left the area and the people and moved to a different area. I was encouraged by his story as he showed that this is not impossible. He kept saying he was old now but he's like 28 years old. I know in my heart that Luis can change. And we will continue to be there for him.
He didn't show tonight. We didn't see him. Maybe that's good. But I want to feed him the word of God more, to give him a foundation to stand on when things get difficult. We will keep praying for him and be there for him. The cops were in abundance tonight. The guys were not permitted to be around us to even receive food. So Jorge and I left for the hospital area to see the street girls. Luchin could not meet up with us today so it was just the two of us.
Walking on the sidewalk where the street girls work proved to be dangerous for Jorge tonight. A he/girl lunged at him as he walked by to try to seduce him and I was only a half step behind so I quickly stepped in turned to face the person and said, "Hi". Which calmed the person down. The transvestites don't like me, they won't talk to me at all and the hate on their face when they see me is incredible. The street girls are different. They greet us and ask about us and listen to us. Later I told Jorge that by the hospital, the roles are reversed. I would have to protect him from the girls on that street!
One of the girls Katy asked about where she could go to meet me to converse about problems and such. I gave her my card and told her to call and we will go out for coffee and talk away from there. Later, we saw Susana, another Katy and 2 other girls whose names I can't remember. One of them, I have talked to extensively and I was sharing about Luchin and my wedding plans so as they gave their opinions on marriage, Jorge and I took the opportunity to teach them about how God sees marriage and sex without being judgemental of them. Then the Holy Spirit showed me the condition of one of the girl's heart whereby her heart was so fortified by chains and bars and walls that she had put up because she had been so abused and hurt by people. However, deep within was a little girl imprisoned, dying to get out and be free. I told her that. She told me that at night in her room when there is no one, she would cry and cry and cry all night to release all the pain she felt. But on the streets, she is hard as nails because no one was going to hurt her again. I sensed the Lord say to give her a real big hug so I asked her if I could. She laughed but I told her it was important that she knows that she does deserve to be hugged and loved without conditions attached. She let me hug her. And the others as well. As we left they had tears in their eyes.
Claudia hasn't been there for a while. Hopefully that means she has changed for the better. Karina wasn't there tonight although I did call her last week. Little by little as we show them that we mean what we say, that we will love unconditionally and that we keep showing them that we are there for them, I know that they will start to see Jesus in us and let Him into their hearts too.
Please keep praying for them. We hope to have a drop in centre by next year where they can come and just rest for a bit and not feel judged. Pray for that too please.
He didn't show tonight. We didn't see him. Maybe that's good. But I want to feed him the word of God more, to give him a foundation to stand on when things get difficult. We will keep praying for him and be there for him. The cops were in abundance tonight. The guys were not permitted to be around us to even receive food. So Jorge and I left for the hospital area to see the street girls. Luchin could not meet up with us today so it was just the two of us.
Walking on the sidewalk where the street girls work proved to be dangerous for Jorge tonight. A he/girl lunged at him as he walked by to try to seduce him and I was only a half step behind so I quickly stepped in turned to face the person and said, "Hi". Which calmed the person down. The transvestites don't like me, they won't talk to me at all and the hate on their face when they see me is incredible. The street girls are different. They greet us and ask about us and listen to us. Later I told Jorge that by the hospital, the roles are reversed. I would have to protect him from the girls on that street!
One of the girls Katy asked about where she could go to meet me to converse about problems and such. I gave her my card and told her to call and we will go out for coffee and talk away from there. Later, we saw Susana, another Katy and 2 other girls whose names I can't remember. One of them, I have talked to extensively and I was sharing about Luchin and my wedding plans so as they gave their opinions on marriage, Jorge and I took the opportunity to teach them about how God sees marriage and sex without being judgemental of them. Then the Holy Spirit showed me the condition of one of the girl's heart whereby her heart was so fortified by chains and bars and walls that she had put up because she had been so abused and hurt by people. However, deep within was a little girl imprisoned, dying to get out and be free. I told her that. She told me that at night in her room when there is no one, she would cry and cry and cry all night to release all the pain she felt. But on the streets, she is hard as nails because no one was going to hurt her again. I sensed the Lord say to give her a real big hug so I asked her if I could. She laughed but I told her it was important that she knows that she does deserve to be hugged and loved without conditions attached. She let me hug her. And the others as well. As we left they had tears in their eyes.
Claudia hasn't been there for a while. Hopefully that means she has changed for the better. Karina wasn't there tonight although I did call her last week. Little by little as we show them that we mean what we say, that we will love unconditionally and that we keep showing them that we are there for them, I know that they will start to see Jesus in us and let Him into their hearts too.
Please keep praying for them. We hope to have a drop in centre by next year where they can come and just rest for a bit and not feel judged. Pray for that too please.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Not In Vain : Luis' Story, A New Beginning
For some reason it felt darker in Ciudad tonight, physically and spiritually, even though the street lights were working fine. There was a lot of movement and not a lot of police presence. Jorge and I started out first as Luchin was going to be late. We prayed in our usual spot, at the door of the casino then headed to the usual areas. Jorge had a bag of clothes for Luis and in my heart, I was really hoping he would show up tonight. Most of them will say that they will show up but then they never do...time and space has no place in their lives as their movements and behaviour are lead by the drugs they smoke. But Luis showed up. A totally different Luis.
He was cleaner and almost unrecognizable. He had clean clothes on and he had this amazingly huge grin on his face when he saw us. He couldn't wait to talk and tell us what was on his mind. I was in awe. The whole week, I had been thinking that I wanted to celebrate his birthday and since he received the Lord last week and his birthday is in November, it would be a great time to take him out for a chicken dinner to celebrate and also to have an opportunity to sit down and talk to him without distractions around. When I suggested that, his smile grew bigger, "Today is my birthday, I turn 18 today!" I squinted up at him menacingly with my tiny chinese eyes. "So, why did you lie to me and tell me you didn't know the date of your birthday?" I never mince words with them. I just go straight to the heart. "I don't know. But really, today is my birthday!" he said still with his huge grin. "I want you to know that you don't have to lie to us, Luis. You can always tell us the truth and we won't think badly of you. " "Yeah I know," he said. Meanwhile, I'm going in my head, "Dang, now what else did he lie about?" But then, I had to change my attitude. I was in their world and until they trust us, they will lie and hide things from us. But tonight, there was a change in Luis, a huge change and he couldn't stop wanting to tell us about his change. And I really didn't care if he had lied because I know that God will deal with him and transform him.
We went to a chicken restaurant and let him talk. He told us that after what we had told him last week, he couldn't stay the same. He couldn't live in filth and just exist the way he did, living beneath the bridge. So he decided that he had a future and he began to hope (yes, that is the power of the living God working in him!!) and the first thing he knew he had to change was the way he viewed himself. So he made a date with soap and water and got clean and felt better. Then he went to look for a place to rent. He found a place to rent for 10 soles a day in a hotel (rent is expensive for them cos they have no documents and fixed jobs, so no one will let them rent long term) and he gave up smoking terokal 4 days ago and has stopped stealing. I asked him again if he had stopped smoking terokal and stealing and he said yes and he couldn't do it anymore because he felt bad. So he now works helping direct passengers to the minibuses and he makes about 10 soles or a little more each day. Jorge told him to talk to his landlady about lowering his rent a little more in exchange for him cleaning the passageways or certain parts of the hotel.
He started telling us that he also decided to stop living the way he did because he has a 3 year old daughter who lives with his ex girlfriend and her new boyfriend. And that through his sister in law, he found out that the ex girlfriend and boyfriend both beat his little girl and his main concern now is to get her out of there. I told him to not take matters into his own hands but to go through the proper channels of authority. But first, we need to help him keep bettering himself so he can help his daughter. And also to pray for God to lead and open doors in this case. He also wants to finish high school so he can attain his dream of becoming a cop. I told him that Siembra will and can help him if he truly wants that. He does. And Siembra will also help him go through the channels to help his daughter.
Tomorrow I will check with Blanca, the policewoman in charge of children's rights in Lima on how to proceed with Luis' daughter's case. In the evening, I will meet him at 6:30pm to take him to church with me. He wants to go. He has never been to church before nor does he know anything of God. And yet, God has never left him nor abandoned him.
If you're reading this, please pray for Luis. And his daughter Anjeli. And us to know how we can keep helping him. God is just awesome.
He was cleaner and almost unrecognizable. He had clean clothes on and he had this amazingly huge grin on his face when he saw us. He couldn't wait to talk and tell us what was on his mind. I was in awe. The whole week, I had been thinking that I wanted to celebrate his birthday and since he received the Lord last week and his birthday is in November, it would be a great time to take him out for a chicken dinner to celebrate and also to have an opportunity to sit down and talk to him without distractions around. When I suggested that, his smile grew bigger, "Today is my birthday, I turn 18 today!" I squinted up at him menacingly with my tiny chinese eyes. "So, why did you lie to me and tell me you didn't know the date of your birthday?" I never mince words with them. I just go straight to the heart. "I don't know. But really, today is my birthday!" he said still with his huge grin. "I want you to know that you don't have to lie to us, Luis. You can always tell us the truth and we won't think badly of you. " "Yeah I know," he said. Meanwhile, I'm going in my head, "Dang, now what else did he lie about?" But then, I had to change my attitude. I was in their world and until they trust us, they will lie and hide things from us. But tonight, there was a change in Luis, a huge change and he couldn't stop wanting to tell us about his change. And I really didn't care if he had lied because I know that God will deal with him and transform him.
We went to a chicken restaurant and let him talk. He told us that after what we had told him last week, he couldn't stay the same. He couldn't live in filth and just exist the way he did, living beneath the bridge. So he decided that he had a future and he began to hope (yes, that is the power of the living God working in him!!) and the first thing he knew he had to change was the way he viewed himself. So he made a date with soap and water and got clean and felt better. Then he went to look for a place to rent. He found a place to rent for 10 soles a day in a hotel (rent is expensive for them cos they have no documents and fixed jobs, so no one will let them rent long term) and he gave up smoking terokal 4 days ago and has stopped stealing. I asked him again if he had stopped smoking terokal and stealing and he said yes and he couldn't do it anymore because he felt bad. So he now works helping direct passengers to the minibuses and he makes about 10 soles or a little more each day. Jorge told him to talk to his landlady about lowering his rent a little more in exchange for him cleaning the passageways or certain parts of the hotel.
He started telling us that he also decided to stop living the way he did because he has a 3 year old daughter who lives with his ex girlfriend and her new boyfriend. And that through his sister in law, he found out that the ex girlfriend and boyfriend both beat his little girl and his main concern now is to get her out of there. I told him to not take matters into his own hands but to go through the proper channels of authority. But first, we need to help him keep bettering himself so he can help his daughter. And also to pray for God to lead and open doors in this case. He also wants to finish high school so he can attain his dream of becoming a cop. I told him that Siembra will and can help him if he truly wants that. He does. And Siembra will also help him go through the channels to help his daughter.
Tomorrow I will check with Blanca, the policewoman in charge of children's rights in Lima on how to proceed with Luis' daughter's case. In the evening, I will meet him at 6:30pm to take him to church with me. He wants to go. He has never been to church before nor does he know anything of God. And yet, God has never left him nor abandoned him.
If you're reading this, please pray for Luis. And his daughter Anjeli. And us to know how we can keep helping him. God is just awesome.
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