Testimonies of Jesus

This past week was so so amazing. Time with the men in the teen challenge program has been so inspiring. Seeing where they have came from, to where they are now is beyond incredible. The men in the program have not only cared for us well, but they are bringing us closer to the Lord through their passionate hearts. They have such a fire for Jesus it moves me. These men memorize bible verses constantly, are always in the word, are very hard workers, and love to laugh. They love each other so well, and they have welcomed us in with open arms. Even though we are the missionaries here to show the Lords love to the world, they are showing the Lords love to me.

This past week I heard a story from a man who has been a leader for teen challenge for two years. He came from a home of abuse, he learned how to steal at age 7 and would steal from his family, and started drugs at age 12. He lived on the streets at age 13, and he went very long periods of time without seeing his family. After many years of living on the streets, starving, asking for money, and covered in dirt- one conversation began to change his life. A women came to him with a cup of coffee and food. She sat with him and told him how much Jesus loves him and that he doesn’t have to live this life he was living anymore, and he would weep. She did this three different times for this man, and the last time she approached him, without giving her time to speak he said yes. He said yes to wanting to stop this life of drugs, and yes to Jesus. This women paid for a taxi to see his family to tell them he wants to change, and she gave him directions to teen challenge where he turned his life around. Now he is a leader for men who are just like how he was, and is getting married soon to a God fearing women. If this story doesn’t show you how God can radically change lives, I don’t know what does. 

This is just one testimony of so many men coming to know the Lord. Each story so so important. Each sorry so specific to how the Lord uses them, and will not waste anything. This past week we also began to finish the new women’s teen challenge home. It is not exactly finished, but we were able to finalize and begin the more specific details for this home. We are all so excited! 

This past week we also helped again at the organization called the nest. We again had to carry logs and metal sheets through the jungle, and hiked a lot. Working with the nest has been the most challenging/ physically demanding ministry. It has pushed me to my limits physically, and yet it has been so good. It has shown me and so many others how the Lord has created our bodies to endure so much more than we think! It’s been so hard, yet seeing the pieces come together for these ministries brings so much joy! 

Last night, we got to spend more time at the mens teen challenge ministry. I had been asking God to use me, and what purposes He has for me. Last night I had a tug on my heart to speak to one of the sweet elderly men in the program. Within the small conversation his face lit up. I just desired for him to feel seen and cared for, and I truly believe he did through our interaction. He showed me pictures with his son and grandson, and his love for the Lord was great. He gave all thanks to Jesus. There was even a moment when a few people were sharing their testimonies, and tears dwelled in his eyes. I’m not sure how the Lord was moving in his heart, but it was so obvious that the Lord was doing so much in his life. He truly has a heart of devotion to towards the Lord.

Another conversation I had was with someone who understood English, which lead to an easier conversation. But while the whole group was praying I felt a tug to encourage him with staying in the program. I went to him and encouraged him that often the Lord puts us in uncomfortable places and we have to fight through what may feel difficult to grow in faith. I told him that growing is not always easy, and that him wrestling is a gift that will grow him more into a man of God. It was precious because he told me he had been thinking of leaving the program and what the Lord had put on my heart had touched him. PRAISE GOD THAT HE SPEAKS THROUGH US. I told him about Job in the Bible, and he agreed to read Job. We also talked about how muscles have to be broken down to be built up stronger. Praise be to God the most high. He is always working, and is so so good. We continued talking about how the Lord strengthens us through trials until we has to leave. 

These are just a few moments of how the Lord has been working. Thank you for reading!