Love, Listen, and Encourage

Love, Listen, and Encourage

This past week I was visiting a dear friend, whom I see regularly. She is such a precious and sweet girl and spending time with her has been such a blessing to me. Because of the language barrier, it has taken almost the whole time I’ve been in Honduras to actually get to know her. We had talked about what we could, but I always felt like she couldn’t really tell me anything she wanted because I couldn’t understand. My Spanish has improved, and this week we had a very meaningful conversation.

We sat and talked for more than two hours. We talked about our week and all we had done since seeing each other last. Then for some reason, we got on the subject of freckles, of all things, and then scars. As we were comparing our arms, (both of us have many many freckles), she began telling me about the scars on her forearms. She shared that they were cigarette burns from thieves who had repeatedly broken into her grandmother’s house during her childhood. From there, she went on to tell me her whole life story, everything that had happened to her. She shared with me information she had never shared with anyone else before. She completely opened up, trusting me enough to tell me events in her past that had forever changed her. As she sat there sharing her past, tears filling her eyes and mine, my heart physically hurt to see the pain she had endured. Yet, in that moment the Lord again showed me why he brought me here. Not to be a savior, not to come in and change everything, not to say all the right words. Rather, simply just to love her, to be a friend, a listening ear, and encourager.

I left that day feeling a strange mix of emotions. I hurt for her in all she had experienced but am also thankful she is in a time of healing and praising God that in all of it, she never left Him. She went through unthinkable things, and she doesn’t blame God; she still seeks Him. I am so thankful God promises to be “near the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18) and that “He heals [them] and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3). God has an amazing plan for her life and it is only just the beginning. I know He will use her and her story to impact the lives of others around her. d593043a4952fa340ddeba699395999e

In the midst of uncertainty, that conversation served as yet another confirmation as to why we are here. I know her story is one of many. God showed me a small piece of what we will be doing and filled my heart with peace. “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” Isaiah 26:12

I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to meet and build relationships with more girls and be a part of what God is working in each of their lives!

God Bless, Jami Harrington

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