Isn't it a beautiful thing to see pieces of a puzzle fit together when you didn't even realize they were pieces to the same puzzle?
Recently, we have focused our teaching at The Refuge in La Carpio on preventing drug and alcohol addiction. These girls are at-risk of abuse, addictions, early pregnancy, you name it. I realized that some of the women at the addict home I visit for Bible study might be an encouragement to them. These women have powerful testimonies of what it is to make mistakes and lose everything, but to be found and loved by Jesus and learn that He is enough. The past 2 Saturdays of the program, I have taken my friends Maria-Eugenia and Clara to share their testimonies with the girls.
It was a special time for both groups. The first Saturday, Maria-Eugenia shared the pain and disappointment that her alcoholism and life on the street has caused her and her family. She poured out her broken heart after having fallen again into temptation after 9 years of sobriety. She wept as a mother would and pleaded with the girls not to destroy themselves and make their situation worse by abusing substances as an escape.
The second Saturday, Clara echoed many of Maria-Eugenia's exhortations. She shared her estrangement from her entire family even now after her battle with drugs. She warned the girls that it all begins with one little cigarette, one little drink at a party, a friend or boyfriend who pressures you to try something. Most importantly, both women testified to the power of God and the love of Christ in their lives, to their dependence on Him in every moment to see them through.
Our girls, about 30 each Saturday, ages 12-18, sat transfixed and taking to heart every word that they said. We were able to discuss some concerns that some of their girls have for their friends that are beginning to get into drugs. We shared and discussed several bible verses about how to resist temptation and the tools that God gives us to do so.
The beauty of seeing this unfold was witnessing the mutual blessing that they were to each other. The women were touched by the youth and potential of the girls, and by the knowledge that many of them would see or are already seeing many trials and pain due to substance abuse. Maria-Eugenia and Clara saw that they had something to offer in ministry because of their life experiences, not in spite of them, and that God could use even those painful memories to declare his glory to others and show them victory in Christ. The Holy Spirit used them in a way that He could not have used me because of where they've been, and He gave them words to minister to those hurting girls.
The girls were supportive of the recovering addicts and encouraging, one of them even giving Clara her craft for the day as a gift (if you knew how much these girls treasure their crafts, you would understand how special that is!). I know that they will not quickly forget the genuine love and compassion that was shown for them by these amazing women, and that they will remember the hope and forgiveness that Christ offers them even when they do fall and make mistakes.
It was awesome to see God put together people in 2 completely unrelated ministries in a way that was used for the mutual edification of each. His ways are mysterious and beyond understanding, but perfect in every way!
Thankful to be a part of it,
Andrea
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