“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” Matthew 18:12
Here in Honduras, especially in our time on the mountain, I deeply felt the spirit of oppression that prowled on the mountain. Many of my other squad mates felt it too.
As we visited homes and prayed for the women, we saw a lot of brokenness.
Many of the women here on the mountain get married by age 10.
Many are pregnant, whether by their husbands or by an abusive family member, by age 13. As you can imagine, rape is extremely common, and I would dare to say, normal.
These women are not allowed to make decisions.
They don’t speak much, and they often look as if they are completely emotionally detached.
Most are not even allowed to receive prayer without asking their husbands. Most of their husbands say no.
Most of these women are beaten and abused.
Some women here are killed by their spouses or family members. (Most of the people up here on the mountain are undocumented, and there are no police. It is as remote as you could imagine, so murder among family members is common.)
This is the reality of their lives. And undoubtedly, for centuries, it has been this way.
But Jesus.
I know Jesus loves these women and these families. I know Jesus wants oppression, enslavement, and abuse to end for them.
“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9
Jesus came to set the captives free so that by knowing His deep love, people can walk in freedom.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
I know Jesus wants more for this mountain because He sent us here.
Because Catratcho Missions is now here.
Because the family who donated this land to God’s Kingdom received a vision from the Lord years ago that we would all be here.
I know the love of Jesus. The real love of Jesus—the love that spreads like wildfire within hearts and throughout communities who thirst.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Jesus loves these women, these children, and these men. He wants to change hearts and lives here on this mountain, and it starts with them knowing the love of Jesus and inviting Him into their homes.
“And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:31
I witnessed multiple women receive Jesus into their hearts. They were so instantly willing to recieve the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t incredibly emotional as you might imagine, primarily because they are not very outward with emotions.
Rather, to me, it appeared to be more logical. Their acceptance of Jesus seemed more concrete and factual: Yes. Jesus is Lord, and this is the clear Truth.
But as I observed, I noticed the women on the mountain who have known Christ for longer have this beautiful joy about them. They are certain about Jesus being their Lord; they have experienced his personal love and have known life in freedom.
So I continue to pray—for the women, for the children, and for the men of the mountain. I pray for the families and for the community.
I pray that Jesus would deliver them all out of bondage and abuse.
I pray that every family would experience and know the love of Jesus.
I pray that hearts would change and the love of Jesus would permeate every heart and every household.
In the name of Jesus, I declare the enemy would be made weak and not have a foothold here in any way.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will reside here in the depths of every space.
I pray, in the name of Jesus, for all these things.
Freedom comes where Jesus goes.
Now to Him who is able, to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory throughout all generations forever. Amen.
I ask, friends, whether you pray or not, to pray for these families upon this mountain. Jesus loves these people, and the power of prayer is so very real. Pray for Catratcho Missions and their continued obedience to the Lord here. They are the first mission group to be here, and God has entrusted them with the task of sharing the love of Jesus with these precious people. We have already seen so much change and so much of Jesus in our short time here.
Thank you, Lord, for your heart. Thank you for leaving the ninety-nine to find the one.
