Stories of Transformation: The Difference a Dad Makes

   I have decided to write a new blog series entitled Stories of Transformation. There have been so many incredible transformations I have seen in the last year and I would love to begin sharing some of their stories. Many of these transformations began months ago, but it always takes awhile to really see transformation walked out. I would love to let you see how the Lord’s transformation came to an entire family through the restoration of a father.
   Here in Nicaragua (and sadly more and more all over the world) there are so few fathers in the homes and even fewer good and loving fathers. There is a specific woundedness that you see in children growing up with absent fathers. Oh, how I long to see men in this community step up and become the fathers that their wives and children need them to be and to see families rebuilt in Candelaria.
   This is the story of one precious family here in Candelaria that has always been a huge part of our church. This family consists of Carlos and Jessica (the parents) and their three children: Karla (12), Jonathan (9), and Keyling (5). [Family-minus Carlos-pictured right] When I moved here in February 2010, my heart broke for this family. I noticed that while Carlos lived with his family, he did very little for them. His children and wife were always dressed in dirty clothes that were in terrible shape while Carlos always wore new outfits. You could see signs in the entire family that something just wasn’t healthy among them. Jessica moped around the property everyday constantly crying, worrying about money, feeling terrible about herself. She felt unloved by her husband and unsupported in raising their children.  I was worried about the man that Jonathan would become when I watched the way that he looked at girls; even at such a young age, he looked at girls as objects rather than people. I could see in both of the girls a clingy neediness that was constantly desiring affirmation and desperately seeking love. It broke my heart! I longed to see redemption come to this family.
   About 8 months ago, the Lord really began to move in Carlos. I began to see his heart captured by the Lord’s love. The pastors began to pour into him and disciple him. I watched as Carlos began walking with the Lord and in turn became the husband and father that his family needed.
   As Carlos’s life transformed, I watched things change for his entire family. His wife now laughs all the time. She is truly joyful. She feels loved and supported. I have watched as Jonathan became a child again. His eyes now shine with the innocence and freedom of a child. I have seen a new security and confidence in Karla and Keyling. I have seen them become less demanding and more loving. They now know that they are loved and have been freed to love others. Honestly if you only knew this family last year, you would not even recognize them as the same family. The transformation has been truly unbelievable! Thank You Jesus for your restoration!! It’s amazing to see the difference that a dad can make in a family.