Beth is Ready Now

By Peter G., Team Uruguay

Throughout our time in Uruguay, the Lord has blessed us with many new relationships. As we get to know these new friends He has given us a chance to share about the amazing love He has for them. Below is a story about Beth, a friend who is now our sister in Christ.

About a month ago our family went to visit a friend named Beth* who works at a shoe shop in the mall in Maldonado. After a time of catching up with her and seeing how she was doing, we asked her if she and her husband would like to come to our home for a meal. We arranged a date and time, and she came with her two boys, Freddy and Bruce, and her husband Martin.

We had such a good time together, we invited them to come for lunch soon and then spend an hour with us studying the Bible, using Max Lucado's study of John.

Their reply was an emphatic “yes!” We were so excited. After visiting some more, we took them home. We found out that not only do they live in a home with cardboard boxes up on the walls to keep the cold out and plastic over the tin roof to fend of the rain, they also struggle getting food.

After hearing a message by John Piper a few weeks ago on giving it all away, we arrived home only to find Beth at the door. She came asking us for food, as someone had robbed the food bank close to them. Since then, we have had them over to our home for some hearty meals and great times of studying God's Word. We have been richly blessed to be able to serve and share with them in this way.

This last Tuesday our study time took us through the third chapter of John. During that time we had the delight of having a new friend named Ed, a fellow follower of Jesus, come and give his testimony to Beth and Martin. He came for the meal and stayed through the time of study. Our time was precious; Ed was able to interact with them and had such dynamic enthusiasm in the study.

Part way through our study, Beth mentioned that during the previous night’s massive thunderstorm she couldn't sleep and started thinking, “If Christ were to come back like a thief in the night, would I be ready?” She said she knew she was far from ready but that this chapter in John was exactly what she needed to hear in order to be ready.

That afternoon as Naomi prayed with her, Beth asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. She is a new creation and has a new purpose in her life; we are so excited and happy for her! The following day Naomi went to visit her once more at the mall, and she was glowing!

Please continue to pray for us as we continue to meet with Beth, her husband and others that God brings our way. We are truly blessed to be a part of His work here.

*Names have been changed.