The mournful cost of our steak dinner....

As I write this I am suffering from the most accute case of heart burn a pregnant woman can handle.   But I must tell you my heart is burning much deeper from a sad and sickening story that I was told today.

Let me start at the beginning....

Several weeks ago a woman showed up at our door with her three sons.  She had been told our property was a school and she was in need of a new school for her boys age 7,11, and 13.  We informed her we were not a school but invited them to come back the next day to play soccer and visit awhile.  We formed a friendship with this family and the boys have been attending the house church for the last couple of Sundays. 
While our friend Dorothy Calvalcanti was here visiting us, she taught the lesson for the adults one Sunday.  She had the priviledge of leading our friend, the mother of the boys, in a prayer of salvation!!!  Praise God!!!

Last Sunday our dear friend invited us to come to her birthday meal the next Sunday (which was yesterday).  She was turning 34, but appears to have lived several lifetimes already.  Unfortunately we took the invitation lightly and weren't even sure if it was going to happen. 
When we picked the boys up for church our friend came out, sadly stating that she wouldn't be attending church, but she wanted to make sure we were coming for lunch for her birthday.  We did a quick, 'yes, of course, we'd love to'.

We returned after church and were very warmly welcomed into their very humble dwelling.  There were wonderful smells coming from the stove and soon we were served an amazing, flavorful steak with rice and tomato sauce.  It was incredibly delicious!!!  They even went and bought us coke and popcicles with the few coins they had on hand.  The party consisted of only us and her mother and aunt.  However there wasn't enough chairs for everyone so we ate in shifts, under a movable flourescent light that they moved over the table so we could see what we were eating.

We were very thankful for this delicious meal that she chose to share with us....how kind and generous of her to share her birthday meal with us!!  Some foreigners that can hardly even communicate!!!

So, today she stopped by our home.

She sat with me on the sofa, and suddenly shared her life.  It must've been God that I was able to understand what she was sharing with me....because my Spanish is still so very limited.  She shared that she just cannot find a job.  That the only way she is able to provide for her boys is to prostitute herself.  She shared that she had been with a man on Friday night so that she would have money for the birthday meal....

I feel sick.

How could've we sat there enjoying that steak.....with such a great pricetag.

I would've done anything to return that meal to her...to save her the disgrace of selling herself in order to celebrate another year of her life.

I want to cry.  Is this what poverty does?  Is this dear mama, only 2 years my senior, a wicked person for wanting desperately to provide for her children?  What would I do in her shoes?

I am heavy with this burden.  With my heartburn that is reminding me of the 'steak of great price' that is making it's way through my digestive system.

I know that it was no mistake that this family came to our door 3 weeks ago.  I know that I serve a Master who often ate with prostitutes and sinners.  I know he has a plan for this dear woman.

Tomorrow she comes to cut our grass and weed the flower beds.  Pray for more of these jobs to come her way.  There is a battle for her soul right now.  She told me that after she accepted Christ she got more calls from men than ever....   She needs to be set FREE!!

Will you pray with me for her freedom.  Will you pray with me for wisdom..