A Mother's Reflection -- Build your house on the Rock!

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  Matthew 7:24, 25

 

Recently, we took the Casa G boys camping at the beach.  Besides having fun together, there were three important goals – to put into practice what we have been learning outside our normal context, to build deeper relationships with one another, and to build a closer relationship with God.  These were met beyond our expectations.  I don’t remember a more peaceful trip with the boys that so readily demonstrated the discipleship training principles of Casa G -- love, respect, and service. 

Three little brothers, between the ages of 12 and 13, came with us.  Dario and Jackson’s brother, Jason and Jesús’ brother, Joel, we know well because they often spend the weekend at Casa G.  But none of us had spent much time with Anthony’s little brother Mateo.  He left four messages on Phil’s cell phone asking if he could come.  He always finished with, “And God bless you!”  Phil presented the question to the boys knowing that adding him could change the dynamics.  They all were in favor and responded unselfishly, “I think it would be good for Mateo.

Several delays leaving Quito meant that we arrived in the dark to set up camp.   Although we finally ate dinner around 11:00 PM there were no complaints.  Jackson said that arriving in the dark added to the challenge.  In fact, I didn’t hear one complaint the entire week.  Two of our recent graduates, Juan Miguel and Ricardo Gustavo were not able to come, but Jesús stepped it up as the big brother and leader of the house, giving instruction and encouragement not only to his little brother Joel, but to the rest of the boys. 

 I loved seeing the interaction of the three brothers, Jackson, Dario and Jason.  All of them have quiet personalities, but I heard them laughing frequently, and the older brothers always included little brother in every activity.  Once during a quiet time, we heard Jackson read his Bible aloud to Jason and Joel who couldn’t find theirs.  Mateo, our “wild card” was respectful, happy, and thankful.  At every meal he told me, “God repay you.”  Funny.  I just smiled and said, “You are welcome.”

After we returned from camping, all of the boys took time to visit family.  Jesús , who has just returned, shared at lunch yesterday  about how incredible his visit was .  This is the first time we have heard him talk so positively about visiting his family.  He told us that his mom was joyful, and he really enjoyed that she read the Bible to the family every night.  He said that he and his stepdad got along much better.   

The transformation God has done in Jesús and his willingness to forgive and give grace has been the catalyst for reconciliation.  Jesús went on to share about the pastor’s message at church regarding building your house on the rock.   He said, “Our house is going to be tested to see if we have built it on Jesus Christ.  You need a good roof, the right materials, and a strong foundation  for the trials that come.”   

We have been so encouraged by the spiritual growth of this young man who has put into practice God’s truth and is choosing to build his house on the Rock.

Over the past few weeks the winds, rain and floods have been beating against the Douce house.  Friday night, three armed men came into our house with intentions to rob or do harm.  God used our boxer (and Phil) to scare them out of the house.  Phil looked at me and said, “Someone was praying for us tonight.”  Indeed!  We found out that our sending church, Christian Fellowship of Columbia, MO had prayed for us during a corporate prayer meeting that evening. 

 

Three weeks ago the front tire of our car fell off and we skidded down a busy street in Quito on the axle.  We were so thankful it didn’t happen the following week when we were driving along mountainous curves to the beach with a car full of people and pulling a packed trailer.  Last week Phil had his briefcase stolen out of the car and was in another car accident which put a hole in the radiator.  Phil and I (and even some of our kids) have been hit with a number of physical ailments, some still lingering.  

In every situation we have seen God’s hand of protection and provision.  Each time we were given another opportunity to bless the Name of the Lord and put into practice the truth that our confidence is in Christ.  He is our hope and our anchor in the storm.   And when we trust Him, standing firm in the mighty strength of God, our house built upon the Rock will stand. 

www.etsy.com

There is a song I remember singing as a child about the wise man building his house on the rock and the foolish man building his house on the sand.  The third verse says, “So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessings will come down.”  According to Matthew 7:25 what “blessings” are we promised if we are obedient and put into practice the Word of God?   When the rain and the winds and the floods come, our house will not fall.  I definitely want that blessing, don’t you?

 

Please pray we would be faithful to live out the reality and power of the Gospel, intentionally building God’s Kingdom with Jesus Christ as the foundation.  (Ephesians 6:18)  We are so thankful to be joined together with you!

CASA ADALIA -- Be strong in the Lord!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

Last Thursday, during an extended Casa Adalia meeting, we were informed that there are currently  53 girls under the age of 18 who have been rescued from the sex trade and have been placed in a juvenile jail, not for any crime they committed, but because there is nowhere to send them.  These girls are caught in a seeming political conflict that is not likely to be resolved anytime soon.

Desi said quietly to me, “I know we said we will only take six girls to start with, but I think we should take more. “

I understood the reason behind her comment.  The tremendous need of these girls weighed heavy on me.  And as I listened to the people gathered in the circle debate about how we might best work together to open a house for the girls, the weight of responsibility as team leader, the complexity of legalities, and the amount of work still ahead overwhelmed me.  I thought to myself, “I can’t do this.“  I felt like Moses who told God, “O Lord, please send someone else.”

Well, it is true.  I can’t.  We can’t.  YET, GOD CAN!  He graciously reminds me that He is able and mighty.  He continues to give me and our team faith to press forward.  Although the enemy tries to discourage us, we are standing firm in God’s power and grace.

God is building a formidable team equipped and ready to take on the challenges that will come with providing an aftercare home for these precious girls.  We have added two new team members who are dynamite additions.  Neila Roman is an Ecuadorian Christian counselor with a passion for sharing Jesus and reaching the marginalized.  She is joining our team fulltime the end of this month.  Kathryn Kieft is a fulltime missionary with Youth World International.  She has been serving as administrator for Youth World’s short-term team department and is excited that God has opened the door to also join the Casa Adalia team and serve in an area of her heart’s passion. 

Two other Ecuadorian women, one a Christian social worker and the other a lawyer, are in the process of figuring out logistical details for how they can work with our team through their foundation.  They also bring professional expertise and personal experience in working with girls who have been trafficked in the sex trade.  Please pray for wisdom in this process and for our growing team to quickly develop in relationship and working well together.

Over the past few weeks we have been experiencing a spiritual battle as we press on with opening a house for the girls.  But where there is a battle, there is victory.  Please pray we would be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Pray that we would be diligent to put on the full armor of God and stand firm.  Thank you so much for rallying with us in prayer!

For His glory in Ecuador,
Debbie Douce
Team Leader ESME – Casa Adalia

Due to security reasons, we cannot show pictures of the girls' faces.  This shot gives you a glimpse, however, of some of the girls we have ministered to.  God who created each one for His glory sees each face.