Jesse A. Schroeder

She wasn't really supposed to be conceived, not if you consider HOW it came about anyway! A child's grandfather and father aren't supposed to be the same man, unless something horrific has been happening—which it had been. Yudy Carolina Caballero Fernandez, a child of incest, is just 6 years old and was given to us by the authorities after they discovered that her grandfather (now in prison) had been having sexual relations with each of his four daughters. To rescue her out of that life, the authorities chose for her to come to the Home of Refuge, and now we are given the same powerful opportunity of showing Yudy what God looks like wrapped in skin. In this ministry of reconciling her to God, and a correct knowledge of the Father, we believe Yudy will experience total restoration. Our focus for now is to give her a lot of love, attention and prayer.

For Kevin Mauricio Paz Vigel, our baby of 53 days old, the ministry of reconciliation seems a bit easier. He just needs a chance to grow up—to be raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord—yet he has no one else to give him that chance. His mother handed him to us, stating she cannot care for him, and then she was gone. Kevin could have grown up completely blind to the Truth, but it is God who has preordained that Kevin should know Him, and so He is IN US reconciling Kevin to Himself. It will happen one day at a time as Kevin comes to the knowledge of God while growing up in the Home of Refuge. What a blessing to have one so young to impact, before all of the wounds of life have made their mark.

So what does "God with skin on" look like for the rest of the children who are not new to the Home of Refuge? For Eduviges, He's a father who will not ever hurt her. But He's also the One who is slow to anger and full of forgiveness. You see, Eduviges has told us that she cannot forgive her dad for the way he violated her for two years. She is full of anger and unforgiveness, but God wants Eduviges reconciled to Himself…the REAL Him. To the degree that she beholds the truth of how God is, she has the opportunity to become like Him. And so, we patiently love on her, teaching her that He is rich in mercy.

For Jose Javier, "God with skin on" must be a refuge and a defender. Jose Javier has always tried to defend himself and his sisters from the terrifying acts of his earthly father. Now God, IN US, is teaching Jose Javier what God looks like as a strong tower and a place of safety. He is being reconciled to God bit by bit as he sees in us the nurturing care of a Good Father. He is not only learning that with God he can let his guard down and still be okay, but also that God cares deeply for (and is tender with) those Javier holds dear to his heart.

All of the children, like all of us, have "lenses" through which they view God, based upon their past experiences. We know that God has given us a powerful ministry of reconciliation whereby God through us (IN us) is restoring their hearts to Himself. It is not easy; neither is it glamorous. It is challenging! It is relentless in its trials, but eternal in its rewards. I take time to remind you this month of your value in this ministry of reconciliation. In "lifting the veil" to give you a better glimpse of what happens at the Home of Refuge, I cannot fail to mention how much your giving and your prayers have made it possible for even one to be rescued, to be restored. God has not changed: He still chooses to "put skin on" in order to reconcile the world. Only this time it is you and I.