“For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.” Psalm 9:18

When my Dominican friend, Yovanny, told me about Angelica and her family I was eager to help. I collected some clothes and shoes for her and her five kids and bought a big bag of various foods. Yovanny and I traveled two miles from our house to love on the family and give them the clothes and food. Angelica and her family are just surviving, not thriving, in the dark, dirty, fly-infested room they live in. There is no food for them to eat, no clean water for them to drink, and just one bed for them to sleep in. They seem lifeless and deeply hurt by their poverty. They are all sick and it is so sad to see their condition. Jesus hurts and empathizes with this family. Hebrews 4:15-16 says:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

This family’s burden on my heart is big. Jonathan and I are asking the LORD to show us ways He wants us to bring them hope, health, and Truth. One way God has shown us is by getting the family medical attention. We have been able to take Angelica and two of the children to the Christian Clinic this week. They now have medicine they need and various operations set up that need to take place. Another way we feel like God wants to use us in this family’s life is to teach them how to take care of themselves. On Saturday we went with two girls on our team and played with the kids, cleaned their living space, bathed the baby, and made sure they all drank clean water. Jonathan wants to help the Father get a job and empower him to take care of his family. Most importantly we get the opportunity to tell this family about a God that loves them and cares about their situation. I made a sign with one of the little girls that says “Dios te ama este familia” (God loves this family). We hung it on her wall to be a sweet reminder to them each day.

Another beautiful thing about being a part of helping this family is the ministry that I have been able to do with my friend, Yovanny, that I have been investing in and praying for over the last 5 months. I asked Yovanny to pray over the family on our first visit to see them. We laid our hands on the mother and kids while she prayed. I didn’t know exactly what Yovanny was praying but I sensed the power of the Holy Spirit in that place and saw the mom deeply touched as she wept and cried out to God. I think it was neat for both Yovanny and I to see each others’ hearts broken for a family in need and to go to them in the name of Jesus.

Thank you for standing behind us in prayer in this situation. We need Jesus so much to lead us on. The family needs to be pulled out of the mud and mire and to start living rather than merely surviving. We’re humbled that God is letting us be a part of bringing them hope.