Morales Family Update: June 2015

reclaimed "wood"

We take old yucky wood that is meant to be thrown away and we  turn it into something awesome.   Sometimes I find wood in a  discarded pile on the side of a construction site.  Much to my husbands consternation at times I climb said work pile and I pick through it until I find a piece of wood that may speak to me… “You  shall be a giraffe!” or “Thou shalt become a WELCOME SIGN!!!”     And then it makes its way back to our work space and we create something awesome with it…….  

THEN IT STRUCK ME AS I WAS WALKING TO WORK TODAY!!!!!!!!!  

This is EXACTLY what God is doing through Streetwise with the homeless children of Lusaka.  I honestly never saw the parallel before!!!!!!  

When you talk to these guys you learn that there is a thread through each of their stories.  No one wants them!  They have been rejected by their families, abused and neglected in ways that will make your head hurt and your heart bleed.   Because they live little better than animals, society treats them as such.  They are berated, beaten, and cast aside by those who are capable to provide some help.   I myself have witnessed this happening.  These precious children KNOW rejection.  They feel it deeply.  It is a tangible experience for them.  Imagine being told by your own mother “If you weren’t born your father wouldn’t have left, it is all your fault”  And then having that same woman trying to kill you for that reason. 

These precious girls and boys, in societies eyes, are the discarded pieces of wood no ones wants.  God has called us to go pick them out of the heap and help them to understand that they are precious and beautiful in God’s eyes.  That they aren’t forgotten, that they aren’t mistakes and that their lives have value, meaning and purpose.  

The word of God is very very clear on this point! 

Psalm 139 states this:

For you created my inmost being!  You knit me together in my  mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!  Your works are wonderful I know that full well!  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts O God!  How vast is the sum of them. Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of the sand.en I am wake I  When I am wake I am still with you!    

Many of you have come around this whole project and have given time and resources to help reach these guys.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We have been able to take kids like Fabian to the hospital to receive serious medical attention.  We are able to house and feed Fabian and Joe now.  Because of Streetwise Fabian has decided to come off the streets and live under Joe’s authority and work with Streetwise getting rehab and skills training.  YOU GUYS ARE PART OF THAT MIRACLE!!!!!   Everyday I see a bit of an improvement with him.  Right now I am teaching him how to read and Luis is teaching him the finer points of sanding and painting.  He is simply enjoying feeling safe and cared for.   

How can you pray for Streetwise? 

1.  Pray for Fabian!!!  Pray that he stays the course and allows God to do all He needs to do!  Pray that Fabians mind is healed from all he has experienced on the streets and that we can find his family and help in the reconciliation process.

2.  Pray for unity, wisdom and direction for Luis, myself and Joe (our full time worker).   I will write again about all that God is doing with Joe.  IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!  But as of now, our full time staff consists of the three of us.  

3.  Pray for the resources………specifically…..a work vehicle!  And the rent money to cover costs on the center and Joe’s rent and salary.  (if you wants specifics on that let me know and I can send you information)

4.  Pray for our family!!!  Pray for my children!  Amira, Hannah and Brooklyn.  

BTW!!!!!!!!!!  We will be in NJ and NYC for the month of July!  WHO WANTS TO HANG OUT!? 

If you would like to give financially to Streetwise please go to tscnyc.org, click GIVE and follow the prompts to MISSIONS / MORALES FAMILY