Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night.
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
(Charles Wesley, 3rd stanza “Amazing Love! How can it be?”)
Dear friend,
Last month I shared with you about a discouraging day in ministry with youth who live on the streets. I was discouraged by seeing these youth stuck in the same spot they've been in for years – addicted to drugs, alcohol and street life. But today I want to share another day… one which filled me with hope and brought me to my knees in repentance for complaining to God instead of praising Him for the miracles I have been too blind to see.
Yesterday, I was at our usual meeting spot for games, Scripture reading, prayer and a snack with our street friends. Yet none of the youth were with us because they chose drugs and quarreling rather than an hour of fellowship with us. I was discouraged again.
After we prayed and left, I decided to use the time to search for one of the boys who disappeared a couple months ago. I had an address of a local non-profit where I was told I could find out some information. It was a long walk, and when I got to the gate, the guard told me that the lady I was hoping to speak with had already gone home, but I could go and see if anyone else was still in the office.
I went around the back where the guard directed me and found myself stumbling down a weed covered walkway before I arrived at the door. It was open so I walked in only to stare at several closed doors. They were all locked, except for one that led into a staircase ascending to the second floor. I could hear nose coming from above, so I mustered my courage and climbed the steps even though it was dusk and lights weren't turned on yet in the building. Up on the second floor I asked a teenage girl talking on her cell phone where “Smile of a Child Foundation” was located. She motioned to the door at the end of the hallway where all the noise was coming from. Two timid knocks on the door and I opened it, stepping into what appeared to be a lounge. To my surprise, there was V. sitting on a table playing cards with a group of five others and listening to loud music! With all eyes on me he came straight over and gave me a big hug. What a surprise! I was expecting to find a social worker and get some information, but I stumbled upon the guy I was looking for. And he looked so great! He was well-dressed and a lot chubbier than the last time I saw him.
When he took me to see his room, I noticed his neatly made bed and clothes perfectly stacked in his wardrobe. He was very proud. V. also had a letter that he had written a month earlier, but never mailed to us.
It read something like this:
Dear David,
I would like to tell you that I'm feeling well where I am now I have heat, a clean bed, food every day, I'd like to propose that you all visit me at this address Blaj Street near Ion Creanga “Smile of the Child Foundation” David, Recce, Viorel, Nina, Vali, Fani, Emi the Cook.
I would like you to come to me – Recce, Rut or Cheri and David at the address written on this paper. Monday I'll be waiting for you please come to see how I'm living at 10:00 AM please I ask you from the bottom of my heart.
With love,
V.
Next to the “with love” was a big red heart, bigger than his signature which was also written with huge letters. And “Recce” is my name as he figured it must be spelled. J
I left V. an hour later with a promise to return. When I asked him if he wanted me to send a message to the others he simply said, “Tell everyone that God loves them and that I'm doing well.”
Today, I couldn't wait to share this news with the others. God has broken into V.'s heart and is setting him free! Looking back at some pictures with V., I realized that four of the six boys that attended a special party for them last June are tasting freedom from drugs and street life. God is doing miracles, even when I am too blind to see them.
In closing, I want to share several verses through which God spoke to us last June during a time of fasting together for these youth. Praise God with me for His faithfulness! Continue to pray for complete healing and freedom in their lives. Pray for wisdom as we seek to walk alongside those who have left drugs and street life. Continue to pray for those who remain bound in chains of addiction.
With love,
Rachel
“For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezekiel 36:24-27)
“This is what the Lord says:
'Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears,
for your work will be rewarded,' declares the Lord.
'They will return from the land of the enemy.
So there is hope for your future,' declares the Lord.
'Your children will return to their own land.'
(Jeremiah 31:16-17)
When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him. (Psalm 126)