September '09: insecure. drastic mood swings. depression. desperately seeking approval.

anger. shame. roller coaster emotions. feelings of unworthiness.

June '11: HUGE heart. laughter. tackle hugs. LOVE. desperately seeking the Lord. prayer warrior. worshipper. joy. constancy. powerful in the Spirit. maturing in friendship. reconciler.

   Several months ago I promised to begin a series entitled Stories of Transformation showing some of the major transformations I have seen take place here. You can read the first blog The Difference a Dad Makes to see another amazing transformation.
   Today I want to talk about my beautiful friend Rosita. I am blown away by the changes I have seen in her in the last 1 1/2 years. When I met Rosita in September '09, she was a mess. She was suicidal. She had drastic mood swings. She was desperately seeking the approval of everyone around her; starving for their affection and affirmation. It broke my heart to see such a beautiful girl have no idea her worth.
   The Lord has now done such a beautiful work in Rosita's life!! My friend Lindsay and I (but

especially Lindsay) had the blessing and privilege to just love and disciple Rosita. Lindsay began sitting with Rosita everyday diving into the Word. We began to pour out the Lord's love in her life and share our lives with her. I saw her begin to receive love and then begin to receive the truth that she is loved.
  Rosita began to hunger for the Lord's presence. She found in His Word and in worship a love that she had never before experienced. She began to be consumed by a love for His presence. I can't even count the number of times that I have seen this lovely 15 year old girl on her face before the Lord, crying, pouring out her heart and her love, and worshiping Him with abandon. She now has such an intimate relationship with God her Father.
   As His love floods her heart, she seeks less and less the approval of others. Her wild

emotional swings have calmed as she walks in greater confidence and more healing. She has been freed to love others.
   Rosita has one of the biggest, most loving hearts I have ever seen! She loves the church and the youth here with such a fierce devotion. She is heartbroken when they are hurting or running from the Lord and she is constantly praying for transformation.
   She reconciles and brings peace. In the fall, she was having problems within her family. She was being mistreated, talked down to, and having shame and guilt heaped upon her. In the midst of it all, she sought to better love her family. She even apologized to her grandmother, asked for her forgiveness, and opened the door to change within the home. I am continually blown away by her capacity to love.
   Rosita has changed from a girl who was incredibly insecure, angry, and hurt to a young woman who has her foundation set firm in Jesus, loves unconditionally, and brings forth the Spirit's power and presence. She overflows with the joy of the Lord. The transformation has been radical. I stand in awe of the difference that comes from feet firmly planted in Jesus. 

*Please help us to continue to disciple other young people like Rosita and see Candelaria completely transformed through them. If you would like to help us in this work, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to our general fund at New Song Mission (you can make an online donation by clicking New Song Mission link).