05 Nov Day 26: Answered Prayers
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
Dalva with one of her daughters, Gabriela
We have failed you. Too often, we ask for your prayers, but we fail to report back when they are miraculously answered. I guess we just take it for granted! I recently came across a letter written by Dalva, who has worked for us for several years now, and I remembered the original request for prayer we sent out which—thanks to our faithful prayer warriors—made that letter possible. I include both below.
Original prayer request, sent in 2010: This year, the graduate church is praying and fasting for Dalva. Six of her 13 children are part of our Hope family. Dalva is an alcoholic and a drug addict, and her children were taken from her because of neglect and abuse.
Dalva’s plywood shack is filthy, with holes in the walls and roof, and no plumbing… This year, the entire graduate church community has adopted Dalva as a cause. They’ve welcomed her into their church family, and they plan to help clean and remodel her home and support her in becoming sober. Please join the graduate church in their prayers for Dalva and attempts to see her restored. Pray He will continue to work in the life of this woman and her family…
The answer to that prayer a year later. (This letter was written by Dalva in her sixth months at a Christian drug rehabilitation program. It is translated verbatim.)
My Dear Pastor Derli,
The peace of the Lord be with you and your entire family. I sit here at 7:25 PM, remembering as if it was yesterday the day the Lord extended his hands to me through a servant of God, a Christian man sent to help me.
I don’t have words to thank you for what you did and still do for me and for my children. It is because of the love our Lord Jesus Christ placed in your soul that I am able to speak to you as a fellow child of the living God. May He bless you and multiply in your life. May He exalt you more and more for the love you showed me. The Bible says that whoever helps the poor helps God. Faith without works is dead. And you showed your love for God when you pulled me out from the midst of pigs and made me to sit with the princes.
I am joyful in the presence of God, and I want to share this happiness with you. Yesterday I attended the church service. It was wonderful, full of God’s power. I am learning to worship. I read the Bible every day, and I pray often, both on my knees and in my heart. I pray for you, and I pray that God will continue to take care of your ministry.
I am well. I won’t give up. 2 Cor. 5:17 says that I am a new creation, the old things have passed away, and all is made new! And I believe this.
Give this message to my children: Your mother loves you. I thank God every day for the great love in your hearts even though I do not deserve it. I will leave here soon, a new Dalva restored by God, and your mother’s home will now be a house of prayer. I leave this scripture, that speaks of the day you took me out of the mire. It says, “Let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
God be with you! Sister Dalva
Father, we thank you for your faithfulness and for the love You have put in the hearts of our children who, despite all they have suffered, are able to forgive their parents and not give up on them.