Puzzle-Pieces*

It is hard to believe it has been a whole week. It feels like a month. 


The past few days have felt like putting a puzzle together- we are hearing bits and pieces of each of the girls' stories and most of them make sense, but a few do not.


As one of the volunteers said, "we are starting to see the masks come off because most visitors have only been here for a day or two."
We have spent 4 days with the girls so far, and are starting to see their real behaviors, real struggles, real beauty, real needs. It is painful to see. There are SO many needs - most of them are echoed in the girls' reactions to each other, in how they act out, in how they create.


It is hard to believe these girls have been abused until these reactions occur.  
They are lovely, sweet, passionate, precious precious girls! 
We are falling more in love day by day. We are feeling more bonded to specific girls, seeing connections that we don't yet understand, praying for God to use these playful moments.  Art has been such a sweet tool to see their hearts, their talents, their perspective and their personalities, and their process (little by little).




At the apartment, with the older girls, we are building friendships that are more natural. This week it was one of their birthdays. We felt so lame because we couldn't figure out whose birthday it was until she got home for the surprise party we helped create!  
But that night we got to celebrate with her, though her parents forgot about her birthday.  We all ate together, sang together, and then danced til early in the morning at the apartment! It was the big ice-breaker we needed - and we got to see their personalities become more free with us :).  


We are dreaming with a couple of the older girls about some expressive projects that they want to do.  We are amazed at their boldness, their valiant courage to tell their stories. We are also concerned about how that process is for them, as it seems they are asked to tell their stories alot more than they are asked to talk about their hearts.   


We are seeing the bigger picture of what the needs look like in Mexico, and the fight for healing and unity.  We met an amazing girl named Cat, who has been involved with the issue for the past few years, who has been helping paint the picture for and with us. She is a super connector of organizations and universities, and whomever else God brings her way!


We are seeing how He is preparing the way for the MTS conference in Oct. It is encouraging to see He has so intimately involved in the details, the people who are connecting. One of the young girls said the other day, "if our (caregivers) go to MTS, they will be able to help us?" She so profoundly sees her wounds that need mending, but remains hopeful. 


We are knee-deep, and have a healthy fear of  the depth we are invited into*




Please pray:
*for wisdom in helping the girls to tell their stories
*for spiritual sensitivity to satanic attacks 
*for strength to stay engaged
*for healing for the girls, even now, with Christ it is possible
*for sight to see the real needs, and for sight for the caregivers
*for the girls' sleep. they have nightmares frequently






In Dependence*
N y B