Tears well up as I look into her eyes, and she can barely keep the gaze. We remember each other. I poured out all the Love of Jesus I had to give.
She smiles, thanks me, then stumbles away to choose the darkness around her.
Here in Colombia, we are partnering with Ciudad Refugio. This incredible ministry believes in simply building relationships. They see the broken and hopeless and seek to enter in with Love.
Weekly, they bring bread and Aqua Panela to a street filled with people who are homeless and using some sort of substance. The streets are full and long ago, the authorities turned a blind eye.
But still, we enter.
Darkness. Most would actually encourage avoidance of this street and the people that fill it. But what about Jesus?
The first week I went, I was overwhelmed with hopelessness. The streets were full, and the people were empty. Jesus gave me eyes to see individuals, not a mass problem, but image bearers of Christ filled with pain.
I was broken. Where was Jesus on that street?
In you. He responded. Every lonely soul has space for Me to occupy, but still we cry.
Yes, I hold all the Hope in the world. Jesus conquers death.
Still, these humans who are crossed over on the street need to know the Truth that they are still seen. This Gospel is no shallow thing; it goes to the depths of their reality.
Jesus looks brokenness in the eye and holds both grief and glory in His heart.
God made a way for us to also enter each following morning. We did not know what to expect, but we were expectant.
Honestly, the day looked no different. Streets still filled, hearts still broken. The lights were simply turned on.
I was angry. The day solidifies the fact that this is the lifestyle chosen. The sober sellers show the larger infrastructure at play.
God showed the location for His mercy given. Those perpetuating the cycle also experienced pain and are just as in need of Love and redemption.
Now, my team has gone to this area for the last time. Week after week, we encountered this darkness like no other. Yeah, darkness has strength, God sees it. He equips His Light with even more power and faithfulness.
With every cry for God to send healing and freedom, He met me with illuminating myself and my friends. As God is Light and Love, we are partners in that.
Holding both grief and glory is the task and gift given by God. And still, He is Good and empowers us in this partnership of Tearful Light.
Wow! Stephanie! “Tearful Light”, there is so much beauty in this writing about such a dark place. Your poetic words contain both the visual and the emotional atmosphere of this street.
I’m so grateful that the Lord equipped you and your team for this ministry. Thank you for sharing this incredible testimony of how He gave you eyes to see as He sees, and the grace to love as He loves. You truly are the “light of the world”, as in Matthew 5:14.
I love you and my heart is overjoyed in knowing that you get to experience walking in Him.
May each individual you encountered know the love and the redemptive power of Jesus in the fullest.
Thanks for your honesty. We continue thinking about you and praying for you.
Powerful stuff, Stephanie. A revelation from our Father, to His child, the power is in it.
Thank you, so good.
Let there be honor and glory and praises.
Kim! Thank You for this encouragement! I am so grateful I get to experience this beautiful life with Jesus!
Thank you so much!!
An incredible experience. Thank you so much!
Oof, thank you Kati!!
I love reading this and so thankful you are sharing Jesus with those who are hurting so much and loving on them with compassion and love and telling them how much Jesus loves them! You are His light thank you for encouraging my heart to be His light to those who hide in the darkness and seeing them through our Saviors eyes.
“Where was Jesus on that street? In you.”
Dang, this was good. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the powerful ways the Lord is moving through Ciudad Refugio!