Sometimes it might seem that we pray… and pray... and pray… and maybe we even begin to wonder whether God is really listening or cares…
This year at El Jordan we are encouraging the girls to write down the requests that are shared… so we can look back later and see how God has answered… Isaac prayed for a son for 20 years… Elizabeth and Zachariah prayed for a family for even longer… …what a reminder not to grow weary and give up!
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Years ago, my dad would pray as he made a point of walking through the downtown market where he was burdened and saddened by the lost and trapped street kids. Realizing his ministry commitments didn’t allow for him to give more time elsewhere, he prayed… “Lord, please send someone to work with these kids…” Years later as I introduced my parents to “my kids” in that same market, my dad told me about his silent prayers… answered…
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Back 12 or 13 years ago, I asked people in Canada and the States to pray for specific kids on the streets… Some of those kids have died or disappeared…others are still on the streets… some are doing okay… I haven’t kept up my side of keeping people up to date… but there are still some people who faithfully pray for “their kid”… On the night before Christmas ,I went to tell the street kids when we’d be by with “Christmas on the Streets” … There, laying on the sidewalk, I met up again with Lidia/”Miriam” along with her little daughter – maybe 3 or 4 years old… Years had added a few more pounds… scars… tears… The next day, she was there – a bit more under the effects of her glue she was sniffing… her little girl ran wild… until she met Chantelle… From then on, she played and laughed with Chantelle – hugging and loving her… Later, admiring the picture my dad had taken of the two… a thought struck me… “Wow… Chantelle’s grandma is the one who prays for Lidia/Miriam!” Who would have thought, how many years later, that Sherri Cook’s granddaughter would be on the streets in Bolivia – holding Miriam’s daughter! We still haven’t seen all the answers we’d like to see in Lidia/Miriam’s life… but we’ll just keep praying… and trusting…
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We have prayed for years for space to develop a program for the guys… After different disappointments along the way, we finally have our own property… and a team of men working on finishing off the wall around the property… and the foundation for the workshops… There are several possibilities for teachers who might help us… We are also so thankful to those who gave to help replace what was stolen from the project money.. . Thank you… So many answered prayers!!! although still many prayer requests… - wisdom for Marco as he heads up and develops this project… a team of godly men to work there… that God would be working in the hearts of our girls’ boyfriends and other guys on the streets… giving them the desire to change…and for God’s provision for what is lacking to complete the project… (Materials are more expensive, labour as well… Maybe you can come and help us paint when we’re at that stage!)
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All last year, Mery’s prayer request was for her two boys that were living with their grandma – who used them to work and steal (they are 7 and 10). In December, the grandma basically kidnapped Corina… A long story short… all this worked out for good… because Mery found out where they were living (another town) and social services gave her full custody of her four children… (Another answer to prayer but it comes hinged with a lot of prayer requests)…
· Mery wants wisdom to know how to correct/discipline her kids… especially the two boys who have bad habits and aren’t used to a regular family life…
· Provision for her daily needs – the ulcer on her leg is somewhat better but needs a skin graft if she wants it to close… Being on her feet too much irritates it… but if she can’t wash clothes by hand for others or use the machete to clean other people’s lots, she needs to find something else to work at – where she can take care of her leg, make enough money to feed/clothe/educate her kids and where she doesn’t have to leave her kids alone for long periods of time…
· José Alonzo – going on 8 – didn’t know how to hold a pencil… Edgar – 10 years old – can’t spell his own name… the local school accepted José Alonzo into kindergarten but refuse to accept Edgar into first grade… There is no such thing as special ed or extra help for kids who are behind…
· The grandma is threatening to steal the kids away… pray that God would put a hedge of protection around them…
· A practical need – their outdoor “facilities” is full and overflowing…
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Ibet/”Lizet” came to El Jordan once or twice over the last few years… She came back in November with her three little girls and has rarely missed a class since… the father of her kids is still more on the streets than off… When she came to Bible study on Monday, she didn’t go into detail when she asked for prayer – just that they were going through a very hard time at home…
I prayed that God would answer her request and show her that He was real… and that He cared for her… Before the class was over, she received a phone call… her boyfriend had just gotten a job! After class Lizeth explained that Angel (her boyfriend) hadn’t worked for a couple months – they were behind two months in their rent… their situation had gotten so critical that they hadn’t even eaten that day… Lizeth had a terrible headache, didn’t know what she could do except ask for prayer… and before the class was over – she could see God’s hand working… Isn’t God good?
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Lidia/”Paola” is one of our students who has had SO many ups and downs… Now she thanks the Lord for her sickness because it has made her take God, life and her responsibilities seriously… Ever since she was diagnosed with HIV, she decided to give her baby up for adoption – but only to a Christian family - she wants her little one to grow up knowing the Lord and following Him…
Lidia has partial use of only one lung… she can barely walk half a block without getting very short of breath – let alone do any physical labour… Pregnancy has complicated this as well… She has four other kids to look after… the youngest also has HIV and is very sickly… Every time she’d phone me she’d ask if I had found a family...On Monday she was scheduled to have a caesarean… time was running out to find a family… Heidi announced it in church on Sunday… and that afternoon I got a phone call… a wonderful Christian couple wants to adopt!!! Now isn’t that an amazing answer to prayer!!!??!!! The caesarean has been postponed until the 28th now… This also is hinged with a few prayer requests…
· The surgery is very high risk because of her very low lung capacity… (two hospitals have already denied her the right to be operated in their facilities… her doctor is waiting on the reply from the third hospital). It would be “safer” for Lidia to have a normal birth… but the baby has a much higher chance of not having HIV if she is born by caesarean and Lidia has chosen to take that risk… even though this puts her life on the line – with 4 other kids who are dependent on her… Please pray…
· For all the paperwork to go through for the adoption…
· All precautions are being taken for this baby to have the highest probability of being born healthy… but still continue to pray…
· That God would provide Lidia’s every need… although her mom has given her a room to live in, that is the extent of her help and I know that food is scarce for them… Please pray that after the surgery she will have more strength to be able to work and provide for her kids…
Thank God…
for the privilege of coming into God’s presence with what’s on our hearts…
for you who pray…
for God who listens, cares and is powerful to act…
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR US… and the ministry here!!!
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An update on us…
Some people are asking how we are doing…
With gifts that have come in, we were able to replace the money from the project… THANK YOU!
I’m reminded almost every day by little things that were robbed… the little bits of cookie, food, dirt etc would be easier to clean up off our rug with the vacuum we no longer have… I go and look on the computer for an address, e-mail, picture and remember it was on the other computer… I forget a bottle at El Jordan… and wish I had the extra ones that were in his diaper bag… Keiden is fighting some flu or something… last night I looked for the infant Tylenol or Ibuprofen… and remembered that I had left them in the diaper bag… they are all little things… things that usually have pretty simple solutions… but I still get a bit frustrated when it happens…
I see in little ways how a mark has still been left on Keiden… he still hasn’t recovered all of his independence… and is still wary of people he doesn’t know well, loud noises and sudden actions…
Marco’s parents had a good time here in spite of the excitement! They originally thought that this might be their last major trip – but by the end were talking about maybe coming back again… They went home with a tract in their pocket… and we continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them and convince them of the Truth…
We appreciate you all so much… We are so blessed to be surrounded by people who care… and pray… THANKS!!!!
Have a wonderful day!
Corina
A prayer request from El Jordán… Our administrator, Abraham is at the bedside of his mom… the doctor’s have said she could pass away at any time.. Please pray for them…
Update - late Feb 17, 2011:
I just got a phone call just over an hour ago... from Mirtha... the one who was planning on adopting Lidia’s baby... for those who caught it... yes... I said “was”... I feel sick... She phoned to let me know that unfortunately, their situation is somewhat complicated and they have decided that they can’t adopt Lidia’s baby...
I’ve been wary about adoptions because I’ve had a mother back out on her decision to give up her baby at the very last minute and I had to give that news to the going-to-be parents... I’ve been just so proud of Lidia through all of this – her decision, her unwaveringness, her firm desire to offer her little girl a stable family – and so important to her, the chance of getting to know and follow Christ... After their meeting yesterday afternoon, when we were alone in the truck, Lidia told me that she was worried that the couple didn’t seem too convinced or sure about their decision... I was the one who tried to calm Lidia’s fears – saying that it was such a big decision and it came about so fast that they were probably still in shock about it all... and maybe they were thinking about what a huge risk and sacrifice Lidia was making so they could have a healthy baby... sigh....
I need to tell Lidia tomorrow... please pray about this whole situation... for this not to discourage Lidia or take away from that “unwaveringness” she has had... and that out there somewhere, there might be another Christian family ready and waiting to adopt a little one...
Thanks...
Corina