I had heard the stories of a woman named Mary. Stories of how she tormented one of our YUGO missionaries. Sharon had shared with me how day and night Mary would throw rocks at her home. She also shared that Mary had come into her home and robbed her.
The day had finally come when I would meet Mary. I was excited to have a chance to get to know this woman.
There she was, this woman I had heard so much about. I looked into Mary’s eyes, I saw such gentleness. How could this woman that had been so mean look so gentle and peaceful? I could see Christ shining through her eyes.
I asked Mary if I could interview her. She did not mind. Though she was very busy serving those around her and caring for her new born child, she gave me every minute she could spare.
Mary went way back to as far as she could remember. She openly shared her greatest pain and shame with me. “I grew up with out a dad,” she said, “At the age of five I was raped.” I can only imagine the pain that filled Mary’s heart.
As the years progressed, Mary chose to cover up her pain with food and drugs. She had been told by her own brother that nobody could ever love her because she was overweight. The lies continued to haunt her.
She went from one unhealthy relationship to another looking for love. In her travels she found a man that she gave her heart to. This man had given his heart to another though. His true love was the master that he served through witchcraft and drugs.
Life became more and more difficult. By now Mary had two children. At times the pain was more than she could handle. She struggled with thoughts of killing her children and herself, but was never able to succeed.
This whole time Sharon lived next door to Mary. She continued to love her and share with her how much Jesus loved her. One time Mary remembers Sharon reading Psalm 91 to her. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty…”
Mary continued in the life style she was comfortable with. After all, she had a reputation to uphold. She was considered the meanest woman in the ejido (village). She carried a gun with her at all times, robbed who she willed and continued her path of destruction.
At the age of 37 Mary found out she was pregnant. She did NOT want this baby. In her fifth month of pregnancy she took medications to try to abort the child. It was here that she heard these words, “I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.”
From time to time in Mary’s life she had heard people come into her path and share the love of Jesus with her. She tried to surrender her life into the hands of Jesus. She had been told she was unlovable. How could this Jesus love a woman that was addicted to drugs and sold her body for prostitution? Guilt kept her in bondage.
January 25,2005 screaming could be heard in the ejido of Sinaloa. Mary gave birth to a son on the floor of her kitchen. Sharon assisted with the delivery and was given the honor of naming baby Joshua.
Mary fell in love with this gift that God had sent her. She felt true love and fought the government to keep her child. She realized her way of life was no longer working. In her place of desperation to save her son from the hands of the government she surrendered her life to Jesus.
Mary is a changed woman. That decision to surrender her life has changed her life. Daily she receives healing from the pain from her past. Sharon continues to wrap her arms around her and guide her in her new relationship with Jesus.
Mary pleads with me and others to keep the people in her ejido in prayer. Drugs are like an epidemic she tells me. Drugs and poverty are all over Mexico destroying families. More orphanages are being built daily to house the children.
YUGO now has two children’s home (orphanages) that have quickly been filled. Others are waiting for more homes so they can have a family. If you would like to sponsor one of these children, please feel free to contact us or go to our web site at yugo.org.
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