Summer 2019 was incredible - incredibly blessed, incredibly fruitful, and incredibly busy!
Casa de Ester welcomed two new girls into the program. It has been amazing to see the Lord work in each life. One girl came in singing praises every day, grateful to be rescued from the tragic circumstances she had endured. The other girl faced tremendous spiritual oppression. One morning, she was experiencing overwhelming thoughts of self harm. When our residential director came to her side, she sent out a call for the entire staff to join in prayer from afar.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
What transpired in the following minutes is a testament to prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. The director began to read scripture over her, share stories from the Bible, and tell her about Jesus. The young girl then shared she wanted to accept Jesus into her life. The director talked with her more and led her in prayer to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior. They continued to discuss the freedom and authority in Jesus' name. Without knowing what was transpiring, our stateside team shared they felt a move of the Holy Spirit in that moment. As the director later reported on the breakthrough that occurred, our staff rejoiced and lifted praises to God.
"No one can come to me unless they are drawn to me by the Father who sent me."
John 6:44
A few weeks later, I (Michael) was onsite in Honduras and was able to witness as the resident director faithfully met with this young girl each morning for a time of prayer and scripture reading. There were no selfies, no cameras, no status updates; just simple discipleship.
It left a powerful impression on my soul. I found myself at a crossroads of being at a loss for words and preserving the purity of the moment I had witnessed.
"Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful over a few things,
I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"
Matthew 25:21
Shortly after arriving in Honduras, our entire CdE family was able to attend the wedding ceremony of a CdE graduate. It was an unbelievable joy to celebrate God's healing and restoration in her life.
"To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
Isaiah 61:3
One miracle followed another; answered prayer after answered prayer.
We saw the Lord move to bring justice. Four arrests were made from testimonies provided by our girls. We celebrated a graduation out of Casa Legado and another transition from Casa de Ester to Casa Legado.
"When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers."
Proverbs 21:15
Another moment that left me beyond impressed was when one of our older girls in CdE requested the opportunity to bake and sell banana bread to pay for a special event with her extended family. She took it upon her self to take preorders, bake the loaves, and then deliver the delicious end product to her customers. Ready to depart on her trip and with her earnings in hand, she stopped by the directors' office. She handed them an envelope. Inside there was money, and she explained that she had calculated her recipe cost and wanted to reimburse the ministry for the supplies used. Speechless.
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man."
Proverbs 3:3-4
During the summer, Radiate Coalition hosted five teams to Honduras. Anderson Baptist Church enjoyed a special day visit with the girls and staff. The Caramellos spent a week doing ministry together as a family. Radiate Coalition board member, psychologist Jennie Fincher, worked to provide training and consultation to the CdE on-staff psychologist on further developing therapeutical techniques. In August, a team of bilingual trainers from Rapha God Ministries led the Honduras staff and girls in a week of teaching about inner healing prayer and restoration through Jesus Christ. It was during this week that we witnessed the Holy Spirit move in the heart of one of the older girls as she fully gave her heart and life to Jesus Christ. All girls in the home have now professed Jesus Christ as their Savior!!! In September, Fellowship of Montgomery sent a team (along with two friends of CdE from Kansas) in a special collaborative effort between their partners in Honduras: Radiate Coalition and an incredible missionary couple serving through the ministry of Hope4Honduras.
"As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it;
if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
1 Corinthians 12:20,26-27
To end the summer, the newlywed couple shared with me during my last visit that they have decided to personally bring her toddler step-sister into their own home and raise her, as the child has not been receiving proper care from the mother. This precious couple - living in a 150 sq ft home with a 1 year-old daughter of their own - has said "Yes." to Christ calling them to care for a child not their own. It is hard to think of a greater act of love from a CdE graduate. The love of Christ is radiating from her!
"You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, repair the breach, rebuild and renovate,
making the community livable again."
Isaiah 58:12
Numerous times throughout the summer I sat down to write updates about these events. Yet time and again, I found myself at a loss for words. I felt as though posting in the moment would be attempting to package the pure into a highlight for what at times can seem like a social media rat race. I hope you'll excuse my silence as I marveled in the profound beauty and wondrous mystery of God's work around us.
"The God who made the world and everything in it
is the Lord of heaven and earth
and does not live in temples built by human hands.
And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything.
Rather, He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else."
Acts 17:24-25
I share these reflections with you now because I realize more than ever that the Lord chooses to allow us to play a role in these victories. They are the fruit of your faithful partnership with the ministry of Radiate Coalition and more importantly your service as the Body of Christ. Thank you for being part of the coalition!
Let us shout and rejoice with praise all that the Lord has done! All glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
"Saving is all His idea, and all His work.
All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it.
It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role.
If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing!
No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving.
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the work He does,
the good work He has gotten ready for us to do,
work we had better be doing."
Ephesians 2:8-10
