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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Prince of Peace

As we pulled up to the school, her face was a mask of despair. After being turned away by the teacher from attending for the day, Lily* slowly made her way towards home. A troublemaker, they say. Suspended they say. As we climbed out of the car and made our way into the courtyard, the principal called her back. She wanted her to attend this morning.

As she went to class, they gave us a little background. She was up through the night after hearing about the Boston Marathon explosions. She was afraid all night. She was saying things about her mother dying that way. They asked us to speak with her later in the day. While we were preparing the snack, the opportunity presented itself.

Lily came to the room wanting a drink of water, but God had other plans. We started talking with her about her fear. She was scared of the explosions in a place she had never been. A place so far removed from her own world. Yet the tragedy happened in the place we call home. We reminded her that God is in control, that He is bigger than anything else in the universe. That God wants us to be at peace, even in the midst of chaos. We talked and shared. Then we prayed.
We prayed against the fear. We prayed against any weapon formed against her. We prayed for her to be filled with peace. We prayed for obedience in school. At one point, I looked at her while praying and saw a bit of fear in her face. I can't blame her. At 8 years old, it's gotta be pretty scary for four grown women to surround you, lay hands on you and start intensely praying, especially when two of them are speaking a language that you don't know! So after we prayed, I hugged her and spoke to her.

I reassured her that we didn't do that to scare her, but because we love her. Because we want her to be successful and to listen to her teachers. We want her to be at peace. So I led her in a prayer, to own the process. To confess with her own mouth her need for God's peace and help. Her teacher came into the room, and Lily apologized, promising to try her best. We made a deal. She would daily ask God to help her, and we would daily pray for God to help her, then by the time we leave Friday, we would see a change.
But we saw the change starting in just that one day. The little girl who came in looking rejected, with the weight of the world on her shoulders, the one who looked apathetic and angry at the world, changed. By the end of the day, there was a big smile across her face. Her eyes were bright. Every chance she had, she came over for a hug and to say "te quiero mucho!" After school, while I was eating lunch, I was told I had a phone call. I expected the missions director back home. Instead, I heard a beautiful little voice saying, "Hola, Ashley!" She had called to talk, but with the language barrier, it didn't go much further than that.

I'm not naive enough to believe she's going to be a perfect angel from now on, in fact we saw the next day that she's not, but I believe there is a change already. I believe she's heading in the right direction. Her fear is gone, but her obedience in school needs work. I believe that the rest of our time here will help seal the work God has started in her heart.
Please continue to pray with us for Lily. During our last two days here, we will continue to work with her to help her with obedience, and with her teacher to best control and teach Lily, so that everyone involved can be happy and grow in wisdom.

*Name has changed to protect my sweet new friend.

1 comment:

  1. I am blessed and touched by this experience. I am sure that Lily's life will never be the same again. Thank you for sharing. And more importantly your obedience to His call.

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