November 10, 2024

moments matter

KingsWay member Anna Rogness shared during the Sunday gathering on November 10 about the Lord’s call to spend time with the young ladies at the Bolivian girls’ home, Nuevo Corazón, testifying to how He is moving to lovingly care for his people.

The girls’ faces have been intentionally blurred in these photos for the sake of their privacy.

This October I was able to visit our sister church in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Gracia Soberana, pastored by David Del Castillo. They have been up and running for 4 years now. There is a faith-based girls home in the city there that attend Gracia Soberana, called Nuevo Corazón (New Heart). This home has 16 girls who live there because they have been pulled from their families due to severe abuse. Last summer when we had a team visit our sister church, we met the girls and directors from New Heart for the first time.

I had the wonderful privilege of returning to the Nuevo Corazón family for almost 3 weeks.

The truth is I’m just a simple woman from Virginia who heard God’s call to go. “Lord”, I asked, “what will be the purpose?” I felt God saying, just go and be. Be present in the moments, encourage, laugh and love. Then through the help of my sisters in Christ here at KingsWay, a more specific purpose developed to share about replacing lies we have believed with God’s truth.

  • Where do lies come from?

  • How can we detect lies?

  • How can we combat lies about who God is?

  • What kind of power does Satan have?

  • Where does my value and worth come from?

  • Does my past still hold me in its grip?

This developed into a six-session book study for the older girls. A special time to pull away and listen to what God was teaching us about victory in Christ. A few comments from the girls about what they learned were:

  • True beauty is inside not outside.

  • God is sufficient.

  • Stop trusting in lies to provide their false promises.

  • Don’t listen to comments against myself.

  • I have worth.

  • Only God’s opinion matters.

  • The deceiver is sneaky.

  • Be on guard.

  • Lies can seem beautiful but in the end they are destructive.

This was a very precious and intimate time together, a very timely and needed topic.

Aside from the study we became fast friends. The girls are so loving and kind. They looked out for me as we enjoyed each other’s company. They are all so beautiful, unique and lovely in their individual ways. God is at work here. God is healing the broken places and mending wounds. He is replacing their conceptions of what a Father is, a process that takes patience, grace and much crying out to God. He is a good, good Father!

One of the girls was even baptized while I was there. Her testimony was quite emotional. To know the violence she faced and abuse endured yet not letting anger consume her heart but yielding to Christ saying “I too am a sinner, I need God’s forgiveness” was a powerful witness to God’s redeeming work.

It was also on my heart to teach the girls some sewing skills. Thanks to your giving, KingsWay, I was able to bring each girl a sewing kit to make their own zip pouch. Some of them were quite hesitant, not thinking they could do it or that it wouldn’t be fun. After several zip pouches were made their interest perked up. How exciting to see them overcome their nerves, to try something new and to complete a beautiful pouch that they made! To see the excitement in their eyes and to give a “I am so proud of you” was a highlight for sure. Some even made extra pouches as gifts for each staff worker.

Some other special moments together were:

  • Practice reading Green Eggs and Ham with the youngest: ”Quierían los huevos verdes y jamon, Juan Ramón”

  • French braiding hair,

  • Hugs,

  • PJ parties, PiJamadas

  • Bingo,

  • Formal Quinceanera party, so much so the skirt I brought wouldn’t cut it so the girls lent me a dress!

  • Birthday celebrations,

  • Math and English tutoring during homework time,

  • Hugs,

  • Walks to the park for some fresh air and soccer,

  • Greetings for the girls’ return from school,

  • Dishes,

  • Hugs,

  • Devotions before bed,

  • Water fight for the days of 100+ temperatures,

  • Hugs,

  • Movie time,

  • Animal impersonations,

  • Fishbowl game,

  • Hugs,

  • Chauffeured rides in the van with Papi,

  • School band competitions,

  • Shooting hoops,

  • And did I mention hugs?

My greatest take away was seeing God’s hand orchestrate many pieces coming together to fulfill His Will. You, my KingsWay family, were that body that brought all the pieces together- ideas, help with language, curriculum, game ideas, gift ideas, practical help putting the workbook together, donations to fund the sewing projects, donations for gifts and games to leave with them. All of us working together. What a delight for me to be a small piece of the body of Christ working together to accomplish His purposes greater than one of us alone could accomplish. Thank you so much for your support, prayers and heart to love others.

May God continue His good work. We serve a faithful and compassionate God, pursuing us, rescuing us, forgiving us and gently leading us to green pastures. Let us look to the moments of life and be present in them.

He is on the move!

Lauren Davis