Dear Friends:
So often, when I am praying for our girls at Casa, I think about how their past shapes them. All of them have a horrible past. They have lost their parents, and sometimes even become disconnected from siblings. Often, the reason they have lost their families is because of the life-choices their parents made. They may have allowed themselves to get sucked into drugs or alcohol, promiscuity, looking for an easy way to make money, and so on. Some of our girls were forced into their parents’ lifestyle when they were very young. Fortunately, they were rescued. But what were they rescued into? Physically, they are in much better circumstances, but we who deal with them at the orphanage can never replace their natural parents. The bonding that occurs between parents and their babies is incredibly strong, no matter what terrible life-choices the parents make. To be ripped away from that is HARD. We have had girls who thought promiscuity was fine because mom did it. Or, who thought thievery and lying were fine because that is how their family lived. Or, who thought drugs and alcohol were fine for the same reasons. And they don’t understand when they are ripped away from their families because of this.
The things we learn when we are young have a powerful impact on us, for good or for bad. And then being ripped away from parents causes sorrow, anger, resentment, bitterness. It is not “fair.” And for our leaders at Casa, the men and women who are seeking to influence the girls, to teach them a healthy life-style, to help them overcome their hurts, the challenge is often overwhelming.
The chains of our past can be a weight that is more than we can bear. The source of healing is always focused on developing a personal relationship with Jesus! If a person will only recognize that they have a Creator who is always there for them, cheering them on, if they will seek to know Him more and more, He can bring healing into their lives. Let’s face it, the world throws all of us many troubles, problems, hurts and pain. Jesus said this to those who walked with Him daily:
John 16:33 “ Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world."
Why would that cause them to cheer up? Because in Him, they also could overcome the world! Right after this passage in John 16, Jesus prays to the Father in their presence.
Part of what He says is this:
John 17:14-17 I have given them your commands. And the world hates them because they don't fit in with it, just as I don't. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan's power. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth.
In Him, we can all be overcomers!
Overcomers of our past, overcomers of our hurts and failures, overcomers of shame and guilt. We can break the chains that hold us down. You will remember the story of Peter, when he was boldly telling people about Jesus. He was thrown in jail, and there was a clear threat that the “world” was about to succeed by killing him. But the Lord had other plans:
Acts 12:6-7 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains , and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
There is a beautiful song by Jesus Culture Called Break Every Chain.
The lyrics tell us,
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain…
It is that same power we are seeking in our lives and in the girls lives— the power to help them overcome a terrible past, and a not-so-great present, and to focus their hearts and minds on the one who can not only set them free, but cause them to be overcomers.
There are so many chains! People that need to be forgiven, fears that need to be put down, hurts that need to be healed, Grace that needs to be accepted. Please pray with us for our girls and for us as we seek to help them through all of this.
Just as the church prayed for Peter as he was bound in chains, your prayers now for Frida, Nahomi, Vanessa, Angelica, Andrea, Lupita, Paola, and Maria can help loose the forces of God to set them free!
This month, we want to pay tribute to Carol Lucero, who passed on to be with the Lord suddenly in May. Carol and her husband Sam have long been great supporters of the work of Casa de Amor, and Alas de Amor was really her brain child! A number of years ago, as we began to help more and more students in Palomas, Carol felt the leading of the Lord to propose and help develop a full- fledged ministry of helps to the school children of Palomas. She and several other of our supporters met with school principals and Pastors and developed the prototype of the ministry today. Several years ago, she and Sam moved to Montana, so that it was no longer possible for them to come with us to Palomas each month, but her heart remained with us in Palomas. To this day, she and Sam are still important contributors to the ministry, and they also provide important support for one of the families of Palomas. While we rejoice that she is now with the Lord, enjoying his presence face-to-face, she will be sorely missed by all of us who loved her and appreciated her encouragement over the years.
May is the time of year when we celebrate mothers in Palomas, and this year was no exception! We sponsored special events at all of the churches we work with, and each church held a mini-Fiesta for the moms. There were prizes and food and festivities as the moms were honored.
Your support provides the girls at Casa and the children in our Alas program a chance for a good future! Thank you so much for your support!
In lovely memory of Carol.