Heather Swearingin Single Missionary –Mexico-P.O. Box 2844 Eagle Pass, TX. 78853-2844 e-mail: kidmissionary@yahoo.com Sending Church: Grace Baptist Temple PO Box 40368 San Antonio, Tx. 78229-1368 Team Swearingin Mexico Ministries
February, 2010
There are times when ministry becomes extremely difficult, when your heart is breaking and there is nothing that will fix the ache inside you but time. In Dec. one of “my girls”, informed me that she would be making a trip back to southern Mexico to visit her mother, and did not know when she would return. This precious young lady had been behaving oddly for some months but upon asking her time after time what was the matter, I always received an ambiguous response. Let me tell you about her… She is a precious 16 year old who loves the Lord. – came to us from southern Mexico to live with her relatives and study here in Piedras Negras. Upon arriving she was very insecure, quiet, reserved, shying away from interaction and conversation. But in the time that she was here, fellowshipping with the teens, and being involved in all the church activities, she began to Blossom. There was never a time that a smile was Missing from her precious face, she always had a hug Ready for anyone who wanted one, she was always willing to lend a hand or help in any activity, I had been able to teach her how to play the guitar, and how to teach in Sunday school and VBS. She was a true joy to be around. Last year after youth camp she shared with me that the Lord was dealing with her, and that we needed to have a serious talk, that she needed some advice, but upon returning home every time I would approach her, the “talk” would be postponed. She continued to minister in the church, help in every way possible, sing, play and teach, but there was something wrong, something missing from her eyes. A week after she returned home, we found out what it was. Bro. Don received a phone call late on a Tues. afternoon from this young ladies’ aunt by marriage, begging him {through sobs} to come to her house. Upon arriving at her home, the story unfolded, and it became painfully obvious as to why the change had occurred in “my girl”. She was raped by her uncle. Not just once but this had been going on for several months. She had become pregnant and he had convinced her that no one would believe that it was rape and that he would tell his side of the story so that she would be blamed for enticing him. So she had returned home, told her mother, and the very thing that he had threatened, is what happened. This precious, sweet young lady, who loves the Lord, was not given the support she needed by her own family… worse yet, by her own mother. She wished to prosecute her uncle, but her mother insisted that it would bring shame on the family, and that she must remain silent. A couple of weeks after this revelation, we received another phone call, telling us that her mother had taken her to the hospital to get a "check up", and after the doctor had given her something to drink, she became ill, whereupon the doctor {after speaking with her mother} returned to the room with a syringe, gave her a shot, and told her that she was going to deliver her baby. She was three and a half months along, so basically the family arranged the abortion of the child. They have told this young lady to forget any of this has ever happened, that the “reminder” is gone. Even as I write these words, my heart aches, and my eyes brim over with tears. I have not been able to communicate with her, since she is so far away, and they filter all telephone calls to her. I wish that there was a law that could protect her, or at least one family member that would stand up for her, but I know this will not happen. I know that the Lord is comforting her, but can only imagine what this tender young lady is suffering. In times like these, it would be easy to question God’s wisdom, but we can’t do that, because I have learned time after time, that the words found in Ro. 8:28 are so true… things really do work together for good. So here I am, trusting in the Lord’s wisdom, waiting for him to heal my heart, and begging him to comfort, and touch the life of this precious young lady. Please pray for us as we continue to labor, even in the midst of such sorrow. God bless and keep you all. In His care: I so appreciate your faithful support that I received in: In November: 2010 $ May the Lord richly bless you all: In December: 2010 $ Heather Swearingin In January: 2010 $ Team missionary with Don & Delores Swearingin Special $