A simple conversation...

Thanks to Belem, I have a computer to continue to blog for another day. The trick will be trying to upload pics. Help me, Jesus!
Francis Chan has been my 'newest favorite' author. Both his books, Crazy Love, and Forgotten God have challenged my heart to the core. I especially love the chapter in Crazy Love on 'Profile of the Obsessed'. Here are some quotes: "People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's Kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress." "People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world." In Chan's Forgotten God book there is a short biographical sketch of Esther Ahn Kim. My daughter mentioned this particular portion of Chan's book to me yesterday and it has been on my mind. Esther refused to bow to idols during WWII with the Japanese occupation of Korea and she spent 6 years in a prison. She asked God to use her while she was in prison and one particular story has penetrated my heart. A lady was put in prison for killing her husband. God called Esther to love and reach out to this woman whose hands were tied behind her back for beating the doors and causing trouble in the cell. What did Esther do? She held the feet of this woman at night to keep them warm, even though the woman was covered in her own excrement. Esther also gave up her small food rations to this lady for 3 days. Soon after that, Esther was able to lead this lady to Christ. Amazing love. Jesus, I want to be more and more 'obsessed' for YOUR Kingdom. Don't you?!!!

Last evening during our Wednesday service, Arturo sat next to me. I love this boy. He is about 12 years old and to be honest, he has been such a stinker at times. Anyway, towards the beginning of the service, the speaker asked those who were "a child of the King" to raise their hands. I am embarassed to admit this, but after the speaker began talking, I sorta zoned out. My mind was on overload with Spanish and I shut it down to rest for a few minutes. Suddenly a bunch of people raised their hands and Arturo grabbed my hand to raise it. I looked puzzled and he told me what the speaker said. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders with my usual confused look and he smiled back. Then the Lord prompted me to ask him if he was a child of God. Luckily we were in the back row so we weren't disturbing others. He said he wasn't because he was too young. I then told him I was about 4 or 5 when I gave my life to God. He looked surprised and our conversation ended. Throughout the service, I felt like God was speaking to him. After it ended, it was time to eat. I asked permission to have Belem intrepret for me while I took Arturo to an empty table to talk to him about God. As I began sharing with him, I could tell that God was dealing with him very strongly. He heart was beating heavily and he was taking heavy deep breaths. I told him that this was a very big decision when you surrender your life to God and told him that it would be ok to wait and think about it but Arturo said, "NOW!" So, he prayed and his whole body was shaking. I have not seen such a physical release of sin for quite a while. When he finished praying his eyes lit up and he was a whole new Arturo. A huge weight was lifted and his face beamed. This boy is very bold...and I believe God has big plans for him. He was a very tough kid, but the God of this universe melted his heart and he is now a child of the King. I asked him to tell somebody about his decision. He went to Nohema and tried to tell her. Then, a flood of tears overtook him and he sobbed in her arms. Finally he was able to tell her of his decision and it was amazing. We all celebrated last night. All we need to do is to listen to the Lord's promptings and start with a simple conversation. God does the rest. AMEN!!!

I spent the day at DIF yesterday and it was not fruitful like I had anticipated. Nothing had been done since a key caseworker had been out most of the week. So, we have scheduled another appointment for next Tuesday at 2:00. Please help me pray about this. It will be my last opportunity until the end of April when I return.

Mama and Papa returned this afternoon and they look great! They were welcomed by a mob of children giving hugs and kisses. You can tell they are refreshed and excited to be here. God is so good. Thanks, Martha and Adrian. You were the angels that ministered to their spirits this week. May God richly bless you for this!!!

My computer could use prayer. Alex is trying to repair it. If he can revive it, the pics will be flowing again! I have so many to share!

Tonight I saw one of our teen girls outside crying while everyone else was eating supper. She has tried to contact her mother for the past few weeks, and no one knows where she is. This poor girl is afraid she'll never see her again. My heart broke as I held her and wept with her. Please pray for these kids. They carry such heavy burdens for their families. I am asking the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to minister to her broken heart tonight. Will you help me pray for her as well?