NEW HEARTS
“My dad dealt drugs in front of me.” “My dad’s been in jail since I was little. Every time he gets out, I get my hopes up only to realize that he gets arrested again.” “My parents told me they were getting a divorce on my 13th birthday.” “My dad had an affair on my mom and now he has a child by the other woman.” Since we arrived late because of the football game (missing the first club) my girls jumped into the talk sequence with sin and our separation from God. (!! Welcome to Windy Gap girls!!!) In answering this question, my girls this weekend were honest with their pain and brokenness. It was heavy on my heart to hear or be reminded of how broken their lives have been. Throughout the day, we spent laughing, talking, enjoying the incredible beauty of this place. Almost hoping that the beauty of this would bring a beacon of hope in the midst of their pain. Sitting with my girls after they heard the redemption story how Christ came to rescue them, be put to death and extended His infinite love for them- was beautiful. A relief. Hope for the hopeless. Acceptance. A response. Micala, a senior at LHS, accepted Christ (her first Young Life anything experience). What a work of God! And guess who brought her?? Cali! She too, was once walking in darkness and now is experiencing Christ within herself, beginning at Sharp Top this summer. I was very excited about coming home and spending more time in conversations and campaigners with these girls!! Chely, (in cardboard testimonies at the banquet) said in Campaigners yesterday, “I have a heart! I used to think I didn’t have one, but a heart of stone that makes sense. I feel Him within me! I have spent three 15-minutes outside at Young Life camp, and this was the first time that I spent praying for other people instead of myself. WOW!” If you want to know more…let’s go to lunch or get coffee!
These girls are truly experiencing the Word of the Lord in Ezekiel 36:25-28. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.”
Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be a part of these girls lives! Thanks for praying and loving me, as I continue to walk into these girl’s lives.
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