18 years old…
on a bench in tears. My heart broke as she told her story this past Thursday. “It
all began when I was 8 years old. It was then that I became a woman… not by
choice of course… it was stolen from me.”
I've gone
over her story a million times in my head. The tears, the pain, the anger.
And I can’t
help but wonder if that person knew.
Did he know
that his actions would affect this young ladies life?
Did he
realize that his actions would make her feel ugly, used and unworthy?
Did he
realize that his actions would lead to a path of searching for love in the arms
of man after man after man?
It took ONE
TIME!
But this one
act, as horrible and disgusting as it was, set into motion a series of results. In an
instant, a little girl’s world was changed for a lifetime.
As I ran
this morning I went over her story in my mind. This isn't anything new. In fact,
we hear this same story time after time after time with different people as the
“monster”… my father, my grandfather, a relative, a friend…
ONE TIME!
But as I ran
I couldn't help but think of all the actions that we can make that affect another
person’s life, both negatively and positively.
Abuse is
obviously a huge issue. Physical, emotional, verbal… they leave scars!
I've never
shared my whole testimony on my blog before but there was a time I went through
spiritual abuse. This is a very real thing (Google it!)… I didn't even know I
was being abused until I was pulled out of the situation, but it was serious
and left some SERIOUS scars!!!
I remember telling God that I hated Him, I
fought with my family, I lost many friends (mostly because I didn't want to
admit was I going through), I never wanted to serve God on the mission field again…
I felt like a freak! I literally felt like I was dying inside and in one
aspect, I was. I will never forget the pain inflicted upon me and in turn the
pain that I inflicted upon others (this
is the negative). HOWEVER God brought a godly counselor in to my life that
put up with me when I would sit and yell at him in his office about how much I
hated God and him and everybody. He would hand me a box of tissues and tell me we’d
get through it together. I can honestly say that I would not have come through
that situation without Mark Hall (this
is the positive).
One person
had a negative effect in my life… the other a positive.
Now stay
with me. I am not saying that sexual abuse is the same as spiritual abuse. If
you have your story may God use it for His glory… I’m only sharing mine.
The point
is. We have the opportunity to effect someone for the positive or for the
negative.
Things we say, do or even don’t do can stick with someone for years.
The more I hear it from the mouths of precious girls on the street the more I
find it true.
So what is
our responsibility? 1 Corinthians 10: 31-33 “Whether,
then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to
Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not
seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”
Are you making a difference?
I remember the lady who led me to
Christ (Dinah Correia).
I remember my youth group leaders who
helped me survive my teenage years and who still encourage me and my family to
this day (Dan and Deanne Desilva).
I remember the family who brought me in
as one of their own during my college years (The Christian family).
I remember the silent prayer warriors
and supporters who make it possible to be here on the mission field even
through a ministry transfer (too many to mention! But you know who you are!!!).
I could go on and on. This isn't even
including my family who stuck beside me in the hardest times of my life!!!
You see. We make lasting effects in
other people’s lives regularly! A positive word, an encouraging email, a smile.
While I was running this morning I
fell. Don’t laugh! Lol. I fell face flat right down a hill. There were all sorts
of tourists walking by but it was a little old man who sells paintings nearby
who ran over to help.
Last week when I was running away from
the psycho drunk lady I ran by 2 security guards sitting beside the BHD bank
WITH GUNS who did nothing but Frankie saw me and stopped to help.
Such little things, but they made a
POSITIVE impact.
This is Robersy and my prayer in
ministry. We could do something, say something or not do something that could
really hurt others… or we could attempt to do all things to glorify God.
We don’t always get it right, but we
try!
This past week Robersy and I worked
with the baseball clinic. I helped translate with the ladies and Robersy
obviously worked with baseball. It was exciting to see so many men travel down
to do something positive here in the Dominican! Teaching baseball to boys who
could never afford quality training. Even Otis Nixon (former major league
player) was here to teach some skills! Apart from that they shared God with
many who had never heard of Christ before! A touch of positive for lots of
boys!
I was able to visit Pasitos de Jesus (a
girl’s home) and Lily House with the women. They listened, shared and loved on
a lot of people who just need some lovin’. A touch of positive for a lot of
girls!
Then we had a night out on the streets
where we met this beautiful lady that I speak of and many others. 3 Americans, 2 Dominicans and
a Bermudian just sharing Jesus on the streets of Boca Chica. A touch of
positive in the lives of many hurting girls!
You may not be able to climb on a plane
to serve beside us (although we hope you do one day!!!). But look around. You
have a choice. Be the one that touches someone's life in a positive way this week. You
never know how it will change their world.
