Sweet Augustina

She was chopping lettuce as we came up to her home. Men outside dancing from drunkenness.

We went into her home and began explaining why we were there. Augustina was her English name. She explained that two of her sons were in jail and still had quite a few years.

Augustina lifted her hat. She showed us this scar on her forehead as she explained that her husband beat her. Then she laughed.

She laughed that the person she slept with every night beat her. She laughed that the person she made vows with disrespected her. It was that timid, embarrassed laugh.

Instant flashbacks to clients I had worked with before.
My heart began aching.

I move to the back of the room and intercede while my teammates share the gospel with her.

Augustina explained what faith meant to her.
It did not make sense to me.

I interrupted and asked “What keeps you going to church if you do not believe in Jesus and you do not think there is a Heaven.”

One word answer. Hope.

Augustina is searching.
Hoping her children come home from jail.
Hoping her marriage becomes a safe place.
Hoping she does not have to struggle everyday.
Hoping that she would feel loved and wanted.
We continued to share the gospel with her as she cried in the arms of Heather. We encouraged her and prayed with her.

The next day we visited and she continued asking questions and wanting more. Sweet Augustina may not believe it yet, but she is loved and wanted everyday. That woman has so much strength and may we continue to pray that she has an eagerness to learn and pursue a relationship with Jesus.