Last week, I posted on Facebook about Maria. It was her first week to come witnessing with us in Alto Peru. Her excitement for reaching the people there in Alto Peru challenged me immensely, and today I found out a little bit more of why she was so excited to reach the people. Her story touched my heart in such a sweet way that I just have to share!
20 years ago, Maria tells me, she received Christ as her Savior. She mentioned that she always felt like there was a fight in her, and she knew that living a sinful lifestyle was wrong. For years she lived in drugs, alcohol, and making it from "high to high." From what I could tell from her story today, about 8 months ago, one of her children went to Alto Peru and picked her up, and took her out of the city to a more rural area. She had just gone 5 days straight without sleeping due to being so high on drugs. There in the "Provincia" as they call it, she finally was able to break free from the drugs and alcohol. Upon returning to the city of Lima, she began attending a church.
About 2 months ago, a lady named Paula brought her friend Irene to church. Irene, since then has brought many, many family members and friends to our church. Irene has a sweet, outgoing personality, and has fallen in love with our church. Irene, just happens to be Maria's daughter. About a month ago, Irene invited her mom to come to our church, Iglesia Bautista Internacional. Irene told her mom, "Mom! This church is different than any other! I'm starting to fall in love with Jesus all over again! It's the most wonderful experience!" Maria came one Wednesday night to see her granddaughter sing in our children's choir, and has continued coming faithfully.
Today was the second week we took Maria up to Alto Peru. I knew she used to live there, but I didn't realize until today, that every time Maria sees a someone on drugs, someone lying in the streets, someone smoking on the street corner, or someone that's totally hopeless, she remembers that that was her- 8 months ago. No hope, no joy, total dissatisfaction, helplessness; bondage in drugs and alcohol. Today I was walking down the road with her, as she put her arms around another lady named Maria. This Maria is about 4 1/2 feet tall, and a sweet lady. Maria told her that God had completely changed her. She overflows with joy as she tells the people what God has done in her and her family. Then, she introduces me to her friends. "This is my friend Joselyn (Heather)" she'll say, "and she's going to witness to you." Today, Maria listened intently as I thoroughly shared the Gospel with her. When I asked her if she wanted to receive Jesus Christ as her Savior, her answer was, "Of course!"
Walking down the streets with her is amazing! She'll walk up to someone, put her arms around them, and they stare at her in disbelief. "Look at me! I'm changed!" She'll say to them. "God has changed my whole life! I'm healthy and happy, and never known so much joy as I have now." Many will ask her on the streets, "Oh, you found religion?" "No," she'll answer, "I've found Jesus."
Although she hasn't quite learned to share the whole Gospel, she'll tell them what Jesus has done in her. Until today, I did not realize that she almost doesn't have to say anything. Just looking at her, everyone knows that God has done a miracle in her!
Because Maria knows the people and the people know her and where she's come from, it leaves an amazing open door to share the Gospel with the people of Alto Peru. Almost in tears, as she finished telling her story to me today, she said, "This past month, I have grown to see the incredible mercy of God. He is so good! He's done SO much for me and changed my life."
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| Maria and I |
Maria has dreams. She still has one daughter who lives in Alto Peru with her grandchildren. Maria hugs her sweet grandchildren who live in a difficult home situation and tells them how much she loves them. She longs to see her daughter accept Christ so she can know the joy that only God can bring to one's life. Will you pray with me that God will continue to change her family?
