A woman at 8 years old... I wonder if he knew.

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.