God has kicked open wide a new door!

Open doors are often an indication of God’s leading.  And sometimes the reverse is true.  A closed door may be an indication of God’s leading.  Over the past days, we have watched God miraculously open a door when another one closed. 

June 21^st was our last day to volunteer at the safe house.  Their doors officially closed last week.  We were told we could provide a goodbye party but we couldn’t actually tell them goodbye. This request was not a surprise since we saw many girls leave without knowing ahead that they were leaving.  My heart felt heavy with sadness. 

I shared Proverbs 3:5-6 repeating it for added emphasis.  I asked them what they thought it meant.  I was grateful to see each girl engaged and listening.  I struggled to express how incredibly important it was to not lean on our own understanding but on God alone.  God who loves them.  God who will never leave them.  God in whom they can trust.  And then I read Ephesians 3:14-21 as a prayer.  In my heart I cried, “Jesus, please take care of them.  Let them know Your deep and immeasurable love!”

We painted picture frames, empty ones because we were told (for security reasons) we could not leave a picture for them to remember us by.  I asked them to sign the matte of my frame so I could see their names in their own handwriting and pray for them:  Ruth, Mady, Mari, Juli, Sherl, Caro, Vivi, Kari...names that symbolize the many girls I have hugged and looked upon with such deep affection.  In so many ways, just little girls.  Many more faces flash through my memories as I write.

We ended our time by sharing ice cream sundaes.  We had lugged a cooler with ice cream, bananas and lots of toppings on the forty-five minute journey by feet and bus.  The sundaes were a hit and for most, a first time experience!  They ate them slowly and with great relish.  In the end, one of the staff announced to the girls that this would be our last time.  She thanked us for coming faithfully and allowed time for the girls and the rest of us to share.  Inside I rejoiced that God had provided such a healing closure.

When one door closes, God opens another!

 (picture from reflectionsintheword.org)

While we were at the safe house, one of the Casa Adalia team members received a phone call from another girl’s foundation asking if we would be interested in volunteering.  The director told her that one of the girls we knew previously from the safe house was placed there and recommended us. 

Last week we met with the director of the foundation, a similar but much smaller safe house.  As we walked into the outside patio, we were stunned to see a huge smile of surprise from Mari.  We had just hugged her goodbye the Friday before having no idea if we would ever see her again.  It was also such a joy to see Lori, another girl we had known previously.  As we hugged and talked briefly with the other girls, they felt so familiar, so much like the ones we had just said goodbye to.  I felt the hope of God rise up within me.  Yes, Emanuel God was with us.  He was with them.  He would continue to be with us. 

 The director told us, “These girls need to laugh and jump and yell and be girls.  You have freedom to share with them about God, to read the Bible, to teach them.”  Glory!!  God didn’t just open a new door.  He kicked it open wide!

Please, please pray with us!  Pray as we begin ministering to the girls in the new foundation each Tuesday morning.  Please pray as we continue to hunt for an apartment to rent for the 18 year old girls.  Please pray for God to provide the right house mom.  Please pray for wisdom as we collaborate with other organizations who have a similar passion.  Prayer is the wind of God behind us, giving us courage and strength.  Prayer is the mighty wind of God before us, opening the way for Him to enter in. 

For His glory in Ecuador,

Debbie Douce

Team Leader ESME – Casa Adalia