During our trip to Brazil in April, we were lucky enough to partner with Shores of Grace and do street outreach for women that are selling their bodies on the Avenita. This is a street in Recife where women, many underage, are living very hard and abuse filled lives. Shores of Grace puts on monthly banquets for the women and do regular outreach, providing safety, hope, and a way out from an otherwise doomed lifestyle.
Most of the underage girls have run away from an abusive home and are desperate and exposed. During outreach I met two teenage girls that I will never forget. They both looked around 15 and had been through so much. The slightly older one had no expression on her face but the younger had a big warm smile. I asked the younger of the two what I could pray for her for and she put her hand over her stomach and said, “Can you pray that the birth goes well? My last child nearly died while I was giving birth.” It turned out she was six weeks pregnant with her third child. Her sister had two children already also. As we began to pray for them, men were pulling up in cars trying to get their attention but the girls didn’t even look their way. They were captivated by the love of God.
Suddenly, the younger girl began to cry out, “My hand is burning! Ouch! What is happening? I have a fever! Oh, I am burning up!” We explained that this was the power of God falling on her and she looked completely shocked and awe struck at what was happening. She began to laugh uncontrollably and we joined in, ignoring the glaring man sitting in the car nearby with his window down. Filled with joy, she stumbled back and I had to put my hand out to stop her from falling into a drain.
We then explained how much Jesus loved her and that she was His precious daughter. I offered her the chance to surrender her life to Christ but she said she couldn’t do it. I’m not sure if this is why but people representing the church had been known to drive down the street throwing eggs, curses, and even shooting at them with paintball guns.
This time, they got to experience the real Father’s heart. The girls have been regularly attending Shores of Grace’s banquets and Jesus is continually working on their hearts to bring them into His loving open arms. Praise Christ, He is truly the redeemer!
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