Independence Day

I have written a lot this summer about my friend "Sofia." She has become so special to me...I hesitate to say this because I have witnessed so many wonderful things and met so many people near to my heart...but knowing Sofia has been the best thing I have done all summer thus far. I love so much to invest in people and get to know them, which I have been able to do with her. I have gotten to build a friendship over the summer and get to know her slowly. That is hard when you only spend a week in a place, like I have at some of the other homes...think of your best friends...it takes years to get to know them! But constant visits to this home have enabled me to grow a friendship with Sofia.

Only getting to share in her life would be enough for me..and the birth of her child...but God gave me so much more this week. Sofia was having a really hard time this week and just broke down on Monday crying. Being a mother is not an easy thing, MUCH LESS for a sixteen-year old who has been raped. And as much as I wish I could, I can't fix her deep pain and hurt. But I have experienced the healing hand of the God who can.

On Tuesday, Giuli and I were sitting and talking to Sofia about what she was feeling. I asked her if she wanted to have new life. ..to replace this anger and pain inside with hope. Giuli and I continued talking with her about what it means to have this new life...to put your life in the hands of God and let Him transform you. And she told us, yes, that she wanted to exchange her pain for this new life. Giuli asked her if she wanted to pray, and she told us yes. Sofia began to pray after Giuli, and she got to about the third word before a dam broke inside. She began to sob as she handed her life over to God (and I might have cried a little too...) It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

After we finished praying, Giuli asked Sofia what day it was...to remember that God gave her new life this day. She thought for a moment and we all realized that it was July 28....Peru's Independence Day. Now Sofia's Independence Day.....freedom from the past, hurt, anger, pain, darkness, sin.......into joy and hope.

And there's MORE....later that week, after we talked about how God removes our "chains," four more girls decided to put their lives in the hands of Christ...freedom indeed.

"He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.." Psalm 107:13-15