Messengers of hope...

Missionaries in Ecuador with International Teams and Youth World since 2002, parents of four children, and then some more children, directors of Casa Gabriel and now Casa Adalia, teacher and friend, but most importantly, redeemed by Jesus Christ and living out the ministry of reconciliation as messengers of hope. This is the story that God is writing through us.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Let me go back to Egypt!

Phil and Jose Luis on a Casa G mission outreach to a jungle village. 

In September 2008 I wrote these words in my journal, “Jose Luis, age 20.  Freed!  Passionate for Jesus!”  A former street kid and drug addict, transformed, living with purpose and joy.  Over the next two years we marveled at the depths of God’s word expressed through this young man.  His energy, enthusiasm, gifted expression of music through rap and love for deep conversations impacted all of us. 

Today Jose Luis lives on the streets; his seemingly only desire is to be high. 

Often we have seen in the lives of these former street boys a word picture of what for many of us our spiritual journey looks like.  Part of the journey to freedom and enjoying “the land of promise” includes conquering the giants in the land, those entanglements of learned behavior patterns and belief in lies stemming from a myriad of wounds and bad choices.  Facing the giant is scary.  The temptation is to go back to the comfort of the known.  To our Egypt.  

For Jose Luis one poor choice led to another and another.  Consequences, words of truth, expressions of love had seemingly little effect.  We watched helplessly as he chose to go back to the slavery of his drug addiction and his world on the streets.  We lost contact with him and didn't see him for nearly two years.

A number of months ago Jose Luis suddenly appeared back into our lives. He was high and dirty, suffering from a stab wound and an oozing abscess in his leg. 

After the summer of 2012 Phil shared the following with me, “How do I communicate unconditional love to someone like Jose Luis whose actions won't allow him to continue at Casa G?  I have decided I want to find him and just sit with him.  No agenda, no expectation.  Pray I would have an opportunity to demonstrate God’s unconditional love to him.”

Phil’s prayer was answered, but the addictions and behavior didn't change.  Jose Luis started showing up several days each week outside Casa G high, asking for money, clothes, something to eat or needing further medical attention.  We heard that his family refused to let him into their house because he had robbed them.  His behavior became more and more erratic and paranoid. Yet, Phil continued to listen to him, sometimes for hours, and to demonstrate unconditional yet firm love.  He offered to take him to a drug rehab center, but Jose Luis refused.  I was amazed at Phil’s patience and continued hope for him.  I just felt uncomfortable and unsure how to respond around him.

One day Jose Luis surprised Danelle, Nate (our daughter and husband) and me when he walked into a restaurant we were in and sat down at our table.  We offered him something to drink and then after talking briefly, mostly about difficulty with his ear, he placed his head on the table and fell asleep.  Having no idea what else to do, I placed my hand over him and prayed aloud that God in His mercy would touch him, would rescue him once again. “Even when we don’t deserve it, You are merciful.” 

A week later we discovered that the pastor of our church (which is directly across from Casa G) had taken him to Teen Challenge.  Jose Luis had been “terrorizing” some of the church members by asking rather aggressively for money.  One even called the police, and he was put in jail several hours.  Yet, once again he was extended mercy. 

Three weeks later Jose left Teen Challenge.

The church leadership listened to his reasons for leaving and placed him in their drug counseling program. They gave him a place to live at the church.  He was clean and happy, a different person. 

 Yet, Egypt beckoned.  Again he bailed.  We haven’t heard from him since then.

To be honest, I have not felt merciful towards Jose Luis, but rather completely frustrated.  I mean.  He was given so many opportunities. Right?!  He blew it.  Not just once but over and over.  He threw away his chances.  If he had finished his training at Casa G he would not be on the streets seeking his next fix.  He would be the one helping others find freedom.  I believe that.  I witnessed the incredible impact he had. 

But what does God see?  He sees a man who is alone and fearful and hungry and desperately suffering.  He sees one of His own who is lost and needs help to find his way back home.  I am so thankful God is merciful.  Always.  Every time we turn to Him in repentance, we are given another chance.  His forgiveness is unending. His love is unfailing. 

The LORD is merciful!  He is kind and patient, and his love never fails.  Psalm 143:8





2 comments:

  1. Such a heart wrenching story. It's so hard to persevere in hope when someone seems so hopeless. What a glimpse into the pursuing love and unmerited grace the Father extends to us. Each of us are Jose..we may battle other more subtle destructive sins like pride, idolatry, or selfishness...but we are given mercy, after mercy and so patiently reminded of our new identity in Christ. Praying that Jose remembers, and is able to rest in that love and grace.

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  2. My heart goes out to Jose. How similar we all are in our need for compassion! When "our love" quickly runs out for others, there is a steadfast love from God that never fails (Psalm 103:8; 1 Corinthians 13:8). Thanks Phil and Debbie for reminding us how good God is!

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