Thursday, March 4, 2010

Weekly Prayer Requests

Dear Friends and Family,

We have been talking as a staff recently about how important prayer is for our ministry.   Our guys suffer so much before they come into the Micah House, and in many ways, we feel that their lives were on the frontline of the spiritual battle between good and evil while living on the streets.   As they come into our home, they have to let their guard down and begin the healing process.  Often, in the battle to leave the streets behind, they lose some skirmishes and take steps backwards.

We believe that your prayers can have a miraculous impact on our young men's lives.  Specifically, pray for:

* Marvincito (15)
Marvincito left the Micah House three weeks ago, chased away by his demons that don't allow him to accept our love for him.  He is living with a friend in one of the most violent and drug-infested neighborhoods of Tegucigalpa.  Since coming off the streets in 2007, Marvin has continued to struggle with addiction, with anger, and with issues related to abandonment (his mom left when he was a little boy; he thinks she lives in Guatemala but no one has heard from her in years).

* Hector (13)
Hector has been undergoing drug withdrawls, making him very moody and irrational. He went to the streets for two days last week, consuming glue the entire time.  Early this week,  he paced the house, pleading with us to open the door so he could leave, demanding the right to return the streets, and generally seeking to satisfy his craving for glue. We love this young man with all of our hearts, and we plead with you to help in liberating him from the darkness through your prayers.

* David (13)
Our newest Micah guy has been adjusting quite well to life here! He has proven himself to be a surprisingly good soccer player and has a generous heart (he is one of the few guys who will treat Micah staff to soft drinks or a snack!). However, we do ask you to keep praying for him as he continues to detox and adjust to life in a family structure. Also, he has been diagnosed with rheumatic fever, which leaves him with rather severe joint pain and also, if left untreated, opens the door for the disease to scar his heart. Please pray that he stays with us, as it is very important that he takes his medicine regularly. Also, please pray this disease will not prevent him from living a normal Micah guy life.


* Travels
John and Rebecca Bell on the road, once again, visiting a conference in Southern California. Also, Jenna Miller will be traveling soon to visit the older Micah guys in Costa Rica. Please pray for safety, the opportunity to relax, and for safe travels for all of our hard-working missionaries!

* Oscar Izaguirre
One of our oldest guys, Oscar will be graduating from college in the U.S. in just two months and will be transitioning back to Honduras in the following weeks. Please pray for a smooth transition, the ability to quickly find a job, and for his life as he enters a new stage.

* The Technical School
The Technical school is up, running, and flourishing! Brian is teaching six separate sessions of welding three days a week, with three students in each section. Many different guys from varying backgrounds have entered the school and are seeking to change their lives even as they learn new skills. Please be praying for the success of the school, for strength and wisdom for Brian, and for the guys involved in this program. God be praised for the way in which this ministry has simply exploded in the past few weeks!

 * And PRAISES!!
-David. It is so awesome to see a young man leave the streets behind him and begin growing! Praise God for the beginning of the process for yet another young man.
- Axel. While Axel has struggled and has had his fair share of issues, he is showing a new level of maturity. His normally compassionate and tender heart seems to have grown in the past few weeks and Axel is really growing into a potential leader here in Micah. Axel has also taken David under his wing and can usually be found teaching him about Micah life, accompanying him on errands, and simply being with little David. It is amazing to watch Axel grow in front of our eyes!
- God's grace. Even as we have wept and felt frustration over the decisions of some of our guys, our God has always strengthened us in order that we can press on. He has been our foundation, even in the face of difficulty.
- Our prayer network. We are fighting a tough battle for the lives of our guys, and prayer is our strongest weapon. Many thanks to all of our supporters who are fighting alongside of us!!

- We are truly grateful to be in this fight for these guys' lives, for all those who fight with us, and for all that our God does in strengthening our hands to fight. Many thanks for all of your support, and we look forward to another week of pushing ahead in God's strength!

 Walking in Mercy,
 David Hawthorne

2 comments:

Niffer said...

It is a joy and honor to join with you in prayer. It's really helpful to have specific requests, so keep 'em coming David. And the follow-ups too so we can all praise God.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the updates. I like the water park pic, too.