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.everything.is.a.mess.


.But.God.



.Another. yay God moment happened just yesterday! Oscar went and picked up two new women to move into the residential program at the House of Hope! Two more lives on the way to restoration and leaving their life of sin. God is good.

.Some. things I never want to get used to about being at the House of Hope is seeing brokenness and broken people. I have found myself talking to Jesus this week a lot about wanting him to burn the faces of these precious children and women in my mind and in my heart.

That I would not forget the look in their eyes.

That I would not forget their voice.

That I would not forget what God has brought them out of…and what he desires so desperately to do in them.

That I would not become hard or desensitized to the stories of these people whom I love dearly.



.This. week I’ve had the privilege of being the person that the girls have shared hurts with. I’ve cried with and over several girls this week in just hearing what aches their hearts and what happened at school that day to make them have a bad day. Just the other night one girl was acting out of sorts. I got her alone and she just started crying and through broken sobs she said “Yo quiero mi mama.” Then she just melted into my arms and I held her as she cried deep tears. I felt as though I could feel her heart breaking…and the ache she felt. For this girl to say that she wanted her mom is a bit of surprise. You see her mom was willing in her “sale” into a brothel when she was 10.



.What. she said reminded me of how deep our desire is to be wanted and to be loved unconditionally.  She later said that she didn’t really want her mom, but she was just feeling alone…and needed a little bit of a mother’s love…or to feel that type of love.

.I. count it an honor to be able to be Jesus to that precious little child. To hold her. To give her God’s love for her in a physical way. To cry with her. To give her some ice cream and assure her it’s going to be ok. These are the moments here that I cherish and feel closest to God. These are also the moments that are the hardest here. It’s not for the faint of heart to be on the front lines of battling human brokenness. To be God’s hands and feet in picking up the wreckage of humanity and what we have done in our sin.



.On. the same hand it’s being on the front lines of seeing what God has done and is doing!

.Oh. he is just that good.

.This. is part of what God used to prompt me to write a verse for the women who live here. I spent yesterday writing cards with Ephesians 2:4-5…which starts with “But God…”
That’s right!!
We were dead. We were broken. We were a mess. BUT GOD!

We were hurting. We were in pain. We were in decay. BUT GOD!

We were his enemy. We were on the outside. We were aliens.

BUT GOD!



.I’m. so thankful for the “but God” scriptures. That no matter how broken and how far away we are from God he will work through it…he will bring restoration and healing and wholeness. 


.Love. you all a whole lot. 

Comments

  1. Mindy EllisAugust 5, 2012 at 12:14 PM

    So cool to read what God is doing in you and through you, Ash! I am so thankful the women and girls there have your hugs and your heart pointing them to Jesus! Love-Mindy :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 6, 2012 at 6:19 AM

    Ashley, I have been reading about your journey and my heart filled with joy and love for you. You are an inspiration to me, using your hurts and experiences to come alongside others. God had this plan for you and I'm so proud that you chose to follow that plan. You are a special woman, I'm missing you. Keep your eyes on Jesus for your strength. George and I are praying for you. Love and hugs Dot Maxwell BRCC

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    Ashley,
    How I love your heart for the women and girls in Nicaragua. I enjoyed watching you interact with the girls when I came down to Nicaragua. I am looking forward to when you come.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    Ashley,
    I'm so glad your blog came across my facebook page today. I visited HOH with a team from BRCC last month and I never want to forget the girls and women that I met. It was a blessing to see some of their faces on here tonight. You really are an inspiration to me and I am so thankful that God has you there to love on these sweet girls. Praying for you
    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  5. AngieAugust 13, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    Yes, yes, yes, mi amiga! Love what God is doing. You, nor those girls/women ever be the same for having this time together. The best part is that this will not be over when you leave there. I know many will benefit from what God has taught you there because you will forever love differently. Molding, shaping, contouring...your Potter is doing some beautiful work, friend.
    Love you so, so much!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 20, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    Glory and Honor to You Lord Jesus!

    ..... "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me,"Write, for these words are true and faithful."
    Rev 21:5

    Love YOU!

    Praying Continually for All at HoH!

    ReplyDelete

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