When you work with street children, it can be really disheartening. Especially when you come week after week and you see little change. What really helps me hold on and keep hoping is the calling God has given me. I know I am here for “such a time as this” and God has a purpose and a reason for me. But what also helps tremendously is my coaches and classmates… Years ago, same of them were in the exact state of the children we work with.
For example, Pastor Sidney, he ran away from an abusive alcoholic father who frequently and severely beat him, his siblings and his mother. After living through hell he was rescued by people doing the same thing we are. Today he is an amazing man of God who has preached and ministered in over 25 different countries. He’s the one who led a team to Uganda and Sudan this last year of 09… me included! He is currently a teacher at MCB. Missionary Anderson is another amazing example! He also ran away from his family when he was only 8 years old and fell into the world of drug addiction and the dangerous street life of Brazil. He now teaches and trains the students of MCB to minister to street children. Gustavo was also rescued by YWAM. He is now a student here at MCB who I am proud to work alongside of. These people encourage me a lot by their example. They are living proof that it is worth doing what we do. But what really has encouraged me recently is seeing the fruit of the labor we do in Christ. This last month the Lord allowed me to see a little peice of the bountiful harvest he has for those who serve him.
The week I returned from the States back to Brazil I went over to the Youth With A Mission Restoration house- a safe house for boys who want to leave the streets. MCB has a partnership with YWAM as we live and work together. We take the children who want to leave the streets to their shelters where they are given a home, education and best of all chance to learn about and draw near to a God who heals, restores and transforms lives!
As I walked up the steps to the towards the MC office which is located in the Restoration House I glanced back into the kitchen of the house. That’s when I saw him. My heart did a triple flip as I laid eyes on Vinicios… Could it really be him… Vinicios… Three months ago I was watching him get high off paint thinner. I remembered him well because of his smile. He has an incredible smile. And here he was; not high but sound and sane. He did not flash the same toothy wild smile but instead a softer one. He had the look of some who is happy but has undergone deep… well, deep waters for lack of words. “Vinicios!” I happily laughed as I hugged him. “How are you! I’m so happy to see you here.” I tried to say more but found that I was at a loss for words… I just couldn’t express what was going through my mind. Something deep within my spirit sighed. I looked long and hard into his eyes. He smiled back shyly… “Estou bem tia.” (I’m good aunty) he said.
Every time I think about the atrocities of this world, I say to myself, “God, I wanna do something.” And when God mercifully puts me in a position where I can be used I always think to myself- If I can just make a difference in one persons life… that will be enough for me. One life changed is worth any amount of effort , sweat, tears and blood. And here stood Vinicios… the one life changed. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” Galations 6:9
(Vinicios 6 months ago)
