Missing Mom...

A week and a half ago I went to a girls juvenile delinquent facility here in Guatemala as an interpreter for a Vision Team visiting from the States. I spent a couple hours playing soccer and talking with the girls.  Two women from the American group shared their testimonies, one about the challenges that resulted from sexual abuse as a child, the other about how God had protected her from sorrows in her life but that she had only been living a lie and did not really love the Lord.
Both spoke of how their past and present were very different because of the LORD's presence in it.

This led to a few testimonies from the girls we came to visit. All are in prison for serious crimes, drug involvement, gang involvement, etc..  Some have infants or toddlers who were born inside the walls where their mothers are imprisoned.  And all of them are between the ages of 14 and 18.
-One girl shared that she missed her mom, who no longer came to visit her. Her family was angry at her for getting in trouble with the law and didn't want anything to do with her.

-Another gave me a bracelet that she made and asked me to pray for her. Her family lived in LA and she hadn't heard from them for some time. 
-Another gal shared through tears about her fear regarding the next day. She was being transferred to a different place but didn't know why or where. She felt like she was being ripped away from the only family she had.
-Another told us that she was hoping to complete school when she got out of prison, and wanted to study medicine. She has at least 2 years more behind bars.
 They were simple conversations, only the beginnings of a relationship, but the Lord spoke so strongly to my heart that these girls were simply that: girls. He also revealed that they were my ministry. They needed a big sister.

What is more, we are no longer being let into the prisons. The bosses in charge have declared that non-profit groups no longer will have access to come and visit prisoners. Period. 
So this trip was our last chance to see the girls. Thankfully, we were able to leave Bibles for each girl, and the Word can touch lives despite our absence.  But the influences each day from all sides are against the Lord's voice in their hearts- pray that the Holy Spirit conquers the negativity, anger, emotional abuse, and tension that surrounds these girls every day. Pray that he gives them trust in HIS ways and timing to bring justice for mistreatment these girls are subject to. Pray that he touches the hearts of the authorities that we might be able to once again enter the prisons and build relationships with these girls.

I am praying that God reveals the reason for touching my heart so deeply during this visit... I have deep convictions about continued work in this particular mninistry in EdT's network, but my hands are tied.

Kim <><