I am so excited to tell you about a dream one of my new Brazilian friends shared with me. She was in the prayer room and another friend (Amicary) was leading worship on the stage. Amicary began to sing and proclaim, "Wake up!" and as she did so people in the room began to stand up. What a beautiful picture of what God is doing in the church in Brazil.
Also, Amicary told me that she has seen several reports in the news about police taking action against human trafficking and prostitution in Brazil. If I understood correctly a place of prostitution with young children was shut down just last week. Where was it located? A part of town called "Liberdade." How I love the way God moves. The detail in his works. A little picture of how he is bringing liberty to the captives.
As I was considering this testimony this morning, part of me was tempted to be cynical. Yes we've been praying for rescue and freedom. But of course the police are accomplishing projects and displaying them in the news. It's all for show. Yet God reminded me- it is still an answer to prayer! And I think it's probably even more a sign of what is being put into motion in the country. A work that will take much more time.
Freedom is such a process that often the "rescue" of girls is not helpful. The vast majority of those brought out quickly return to to prostitution because it is what they know. This familiarity seems easier compared to the dramatically different life they are offered so full of the unknown. Rather if we are truly to commit to love them, we must be willing to walk with them through the process. To build relationship. To earn trust. To offer, not demand, another way of life. Other options. A way out.
The more I think about it, the more it looks like the love of Jesus to me. Love offered without expectation of return. Without promise of reciprocation. Not witholding or guarding our own hearts, but just loving. Not in small measure, but extravagantly. I know this is the type of love that will win their hearts.
Because it's the love that won mine.
1 John 4:19
No comments:
Post a Comment