Lopez Cambodian Update

Written by BJ and Andrea Lopez Monday, 05 April 2010 00:00

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." (3 John 4)
 
Dear Family and  Friends,
We hope you had a blessed Easter as you celebrated the resurrection  of  our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with  your family and friends!  Just think all around the world Believers were celebrating the glorious truth that He has Risen! Risen indeed! This morning we just wanted to give you an  quick update on our lives  in  Cambodia.

In the Bible, the  apostle John  writes in  his 3rd letter in verse 4, “I have no greater joy, then to hear that my children are walking in the truth” and  boy  isn’t  that  the  truth. To see your children trusting the Lord   and walking in the truth stirs up the unspeakable joy that we find in believing in our Great Savior Jesus Christ. On the other hand there is no greater pain and discouragement to see one of your children walking away from the Lord and watching them exchange the truth for a lie. It’s like not having enough oxygen to breath…like someone hitting you in the gut. The last few months have been very challenging and our hearts are very heavy as we continue to trust and wait on the Lord.  On January 1st one of our girls, Borei, ran away from our home. Over the past year, Andrea and I have been working with her in dealing with some very deep strongholds in her life. Instead of working through the issues,   Borei ran away.

After about a week of desperately searching for her, we found her living in the middle of destruction and chaos. In talking to her, she told us that she hated God and all that He has done for her. She told us that she wanted the power to do what was right in her own eyes. You can only imagine how we all pleaded with her to come to her senses and to stay. We prayed for her as a family and continued to plead with her to stay, but in the end, she decided to leave. Needless to say, we have been perplexed and discouraged to see her fall so far from grace. We are thankful for God’s grace and for the Holy Spirit who has directed, guided, and given us discernment as we have attempted to shepherd, teach, exhort, and encourage Borei in her battle  against sin and the strongholds in her life and point her to the One who is her refuge, peace, and lover of her soul.  Although her actions and behavior do not surprise us, they continue to reflect the turmoil of her heart.  Please pray for Borei’s heart and that while He is accomplishing His perfect will for her that He would prepare our hearts to receive her when He chooses to bring her back.

Although our hearts are heavy and burdened for Borei, we are rejoicing as a family because in the midst of this trial the kids have told us they have been  provoked  to look back  at their own lives  and  see the  invisible hand  of God become visible in all that He has accomplished and moved to bring them  into the household  of faith. In fact, one of our girls, Wejeka, in  hearing Borei say that she  “hated God” was immediately  convicted that she was  also a hater of God, but  didn’t  have the courage to  admit it like Borei. Wejeka told us that when she heard those words from her older sister, she was instantly convicted of her own pridefullness, disobedience, and rebellion against God and His authority. She went  on to say, “how in the  world can  I hate the God who has brought me into a  loving  family, a God who has given me the opportunity to  study and hear His word everyday for  the  last  3 ½ years…what will  be  my  judgment if I continue to harden my  heart,  so I confessed my  sin and repented and surrendered my heart,  mind  and soul to  the  only  One who can  save me.” 

A week  later Wejeka asked  me  at the dinner table, “Daddy, I  was reading  in  the book of Acts this morning  for  my  quiet time and I believe that the first act  of  obedience  in  following  Jesus is baptism, and  I  know it doesn’t save me,  but it’s  what the word of  God  commands…is there any reason why  I cannot be  baptized soon?” I almost fell off my chair and choked on the food  in  my mouthJ I looked  at  Andrea and we both looked at each other and looked at  Wejeka and said in unison, “God is  so amazing!”  That weekend I had the privilege to baptize our youngest daughter. Please continue to pray for Wejeka and look for our next newsletter in hearing about her transformation.

So this morning as I write this email I am filled with both joy and sadness. There is sadness because one of our daughters has chosen the wide path of life that may lead to death and destruction. Yet on the other hand, I am filled with joy to see one of our daughters being transformed by the word of God and walking in His truth.

In the midst of trials and tribulation we rejoice in knowing our God reigns! And like the old hymn,
I STAND AMAZED…
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for us!

Blessings on  you,
BJ & Andrea Lopez
Hebrews 12:1-2