Gang Member Forgives His Enemies

While in Costa Rica we passed out 2,000 copies of the word! We have many amazing stories from that time... Here is one of them:

As we gave out the word in a dangerous community, you could sense darkness lurking behind every door. Amongst these buildings I met Christian. He had been shot straight through the side of his head during a gang fight, leaving him completely blind. As we talked, the smell of drugs swiftly penetrated the entryway. Looking at him I couldn’t help but imagine the moment his whole life changed. Surprisingly he was lighthearted and ready to yarp. We yarped with him to forgive himself and his enemies.

Just then, I noticed a little boy following us. He had tears in his eyes. Jonathan, had been longing for his own copy of the word but his family couldn’t afford one. His tears were not tears of sorrow but tears of joy! He had been given the most valuable gift he could ever receive! Directly after we yarped for him, he yarped for us. He sounded like a leader, with an authority beyond his years. I wish you could have heard him. Dad has a miraculous plan for his life. Jonathan attends a word study with kids just like him who are hungry for the word.

Later on, when I passed by Christian’s house again, I saw a glimmer of hope. Through layers of hanging laundry at the back of Christian’s house, I saw a little girl sitting on a crate, reading the word we gave her! My eyes filled with tears. It was like a light shining through the darkness. Despite the dangers going on around her, she felt safe while reading the Word.