People can make such a deep impression on you. During our visit to Aruba I[1] had the opportunity to visit Bethel Foundation. A simple complex, set up and run by Irene, a woman of about my age. She herself had been addicted for years in the Netherlands, but God had saved her in a miraculous way. Her liberation led to an unconditional love for people on the hopeless side of life; addicts in the poorest part of Aruba; San Nicolas.
Irene offers them shelter, food and addiction recovery. Everyone understands that this is difficult. But no matter how strict she is, her love is there every day. She starts the day at 3 am to seek God and ask for strength, and then she is ready for all her residents from very early on. She tries to make a home for them with the little they have.
If there is someone who is not addicted, but cannot get help anywhere (for example someone with a serious illness), she also offers help and a home. She told me she was praying for extra hands; After years, the work becomes too heavy for her to be able to do it seven days a week. If I would like to pray with her for this. I did. But because I was still in Aruba for a week, I couldn’t resist making a toiletry bag by hand to give her something for herself.
Something personal from woman to woman. This toiletry bag was accepted with emotion. She said she could wear it between her clothes so she could put her daily allowance in it. Because even though her residents are grateful to her, stealing just happens.
I still pray for her because she is so brave. She takes risks and points all the people who come under her roof to God who gives grace and asks for faithful listening. May God bless her and her people.
[1] This guest blog is written by Erik’s mother, Elizabeth de Kievit. Thank you so much!