2012 – March

Another One Changed by Love

“Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.’” (Matt. 5:31)

Our society would call them healthy individuals. You know the folks I mean…the people who go through life with relatively positive memories of their childhood years. They enter adulthood with an overall optimistic outlook on life, and often times do not even realize how much in need of God they are.

Then there are the sick…the ones scarred by some pain so real that they know they have need of help. People like ten-year-old Julio Huaraca. He is one Jesus termed in “need of a doctor”. Julio has now been at the orphanage for two years. He is not like he used to be, thanks to God and the love of Christ that the workers have poured out upon Julio. When he first arrived, Julio was aggressive, insecure, and would not participate in any activities of the home or carry out his responsibilities. That is not the kind of behavior expected from the “healthy”…but it is not surprising behavior from the ones in need of healing. You see, Julio had some unanswered questions that were affecting him. Questions like, “Why did the one who was supposed to love me most (a parent) physically abuse me?” and “If my parent treated me like this…who CAN I trust?” “Where was God in all of it?” But little by little, by the love of God demonstrated through the tutors and the other children in the home, Julio has begun to change. He is now in the third grade and is very involved in life at the home. You can see him enjoying time with the other children and responding to the love he has received. That is the beautiful thing about the Santa Maria Home for children. It is open to all whom, just like Jesus said, are “sick” and “need a doctor”. Jesus, the Great Physician is healing their lives. It only takes love to change a person…the love of Christ through us!

Tony and I will be taking Bibles to the home on our trip on February 24th. We want to evangelize the area and teach the children the Bible; by giving each child one of their own, we hope to motivate them to read the Word of God. We are also taking clothing, and plan (with your help) to fill up their pantry once again. Through the Bibles and the food, we are grateful to truly give them their daily bread. Will you continue to help us? We NEED your prayers…and the finances to continue providing for them. Thank you for your faithful support, and for your heart to serve Jesus in this way. We are expecting more children to enter the home this summer (it is summer time now in Peru) and so our need for increased finances and prayer is essential and timely.

You will notice this month that we are sending a key chain that says, “Will you help us?” on one side, and our logo and address on the reverse side. Please accept this small token of our appreciation and allow it to be a tool of reminder for you to pray and partner with us as we reach out to Peru in 2012. We are so very grateful that you walk this path with us.

With love in Christ Jesus,
Rosa Rivera
Homes of Refuge, International