On to happier days like today. We, Gilma, Andrea and I have started a mentoring program with girls 15 through 18. Today seven young ladies and three slightly older ladies, (me the oldest!), sat and studied the Self/confrontation manual that I am using as a teaching tool. They each came with their memory verse ready.
We had a discussion about being free to be different and not follow the crowd. This opened up a situation that needed to be resolved among three of the girls. Two had jokingly but cruelly rebuffed one of the girls who wanted to be part of the group. The girl that had been rebuffed had reacted inappropriately. God is so good and sneaky. This led Gilma and I to talk and pray with each of the three girls individually. God used that time to lay bear their hidden hurts which really showed why they acted the way they did. It was a time of tears, prayers and hope. Each got homework too!
Their homework was to read and reflect over Ephesian 6, especially about the armor of God so that they would let God do battle for them and to understand who the true enemy is, not their parents or other people but spirtual wickedness in high places. They were also instructed to read Psalms 27 not to hide in misery and anger but to hide in God and be strengthened to go on, to know they are never alone because even if their mother and father abandon them. One of the girls had just been beaten up by her drunken dad, has a loosened tooth and memories of inappropriate behavior on his part towards her. another has never heard a word of encouragement from her dad and the last whose dad is a drinker has only seen anger and violence displayed in her home. Each of the girls have dads unfortunately who are not their biggest fan but each of the girls heard about forgiveness, prayer and respect.
It was a better day and I am hopeful.
Did I not mention that the girls are helping out in the ministry? They help prepare, serve and clean up during the feeding program. They helped to bag up the beans and rice we distribute monthly to families. they helped put together the filters that were given out this month. They are working on a project to make 40 canastas for the women as gifts for Mothers day. Helping out and studying too.
They have chosen a name for the group. It literally means "Young ladies growing abundantly in the work for the Lord". They are truly doing that. Please keep them in your prayers. They are Jovita, Karla, Elizabeth, Anita, Iris, Yolanda and Olga.
Some of the girls helping to fix tortillas for the feeding program
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