A miracle has occurred in the Micah Project, and I am convinced that it is because so many of you are praying for us! I write you today not to update you about the project, but to ask urgently for your continuing prayers for a very special boy.
In my last update, I wrote about Harvin’s brother Darwin, a 15 year-old who has spent the last six years of his life on the streets. He has been the most lost and unreachable kid I know on the streets. In fact, I stopped looking for a spark of life in him a long time ago. Last month, when we ran into him, he would not even look at his brother Harvin while he tried to talk with him. Darwin is so lost in the world of drugs that he often doesn’t even recognize his brother when Harvin encounters him in the streets.
But something truly incredible has happened!
Last week, a group of high school students from St. Louis joined us in ministry. All of us were amazed by the powerful ways in which the Lord worked through us. It was a time of tremendous renewal for the American kids and for all of us here at the Micah Project.
At one point during the week, a couple of girls from the group got off the bus on the way back from visiting a senior citizen’s asylum in order to buy some souvenirs. They asked Harvin to go with them to show them the way. At first, he declined, saying that he was tired, but upon reflection, he decided to accompany the girls. On the streets, Harvin and the American girls ran into Darwin. I’m sure Harvin expected the same rejection as always, but this time, Darwin was ready to talk.
Harvin is sitting here with me as I write this. According to him, after talking with Darwin for a while, they sensed a new desire in him. He talked for the first time about his desire to leave the streets. After a while, they laid their hands on to pray for him. According to Harvin, “we prayed that God would take possession of Darwin’s life so that Darwin would have a heart ready to change. We also prayed that Darwin would truly desire to leave the streets. We also thanked God for using us in Darwin’s life and prayed that he would continue to use us to help Darwin. And God answered our prayer!”
Today, Darwin may have made the biggest decision of his life. He showed
up at our doorstep at about ten o’clock, asking to talk with Harvin.
We excused Harvin from classes so that they could talk. About an hour
later, Harvin pulled me out of class. “I think Darwin is ready to leave
the streets for good,” he breathlessly told me.
We called Darwin in, and for the first time, I heard him talk without being
under the influence of drugs. He said that he was tired of street life
and he wanted a new life. He said that he is committed to leaving drugs
once and for all. We asked him if he wanted to live in the Micah Project
and he said yes, because he has many friends here who can help him.
After talking with him for an hour and praying for him, we welcomed him into
our family!
After he showered and took a nap, we met with the boys to talk things over.
For the past few days, the boys and I have been sensing that the Lord is ready
to lead us to a new level of faith and ministry. We have been praying
that God would open our eyes and hearts to renewal and spiritual growth.
As we gathered around the living room today, I told them that perhaps the
challenge of taking care of Darwin will be the beginning of that new time
of growth. I told them that it is not so hard to go into a jail or
an orphanage for a couple of hours to do ministry, but when there is a needy
person living under the same roof, the ministry is much more challenging.
We talked about the years that Darwin has lived on the streets. He
has not had one day of school, he knows no routine, he lacks the knowledge
of how people treat each other with respect and love. He doesn’t even
know how to use a fork and I doubt if he has ever used a pillow. Darwin’s
change requires us to start from the beginning, and it will require the commitment
from each one of the boys to help minister to him. Are they ready to
accept this ministry?
The boys began to talk, and I quickly realized that they are indeed ready
for this battle. Danilo talked about how Satan wants Darwin’s life,
and is not going to give it up easily. But he also said that the Lord
has given us the authority over Satan. Marvin talked about the need
for us to be more unified than ever, to encourage each other to pray and read
His word, in order to resist the attacks that are likely to come as we take
on this great work. I sensed the Spirit moving in the boys as
they talked more and more excitedly about what the Lord will do in Darwin
and what he will do in them. In the end, each one of us prayed, asking
for God’s miraculous and transforming love to flow through us to Darwin.
And here we are! Darwin has been with us for five hours now.
Soon, he will begin to have urges to use drugs. He will most likely
feel pent in by this new routine and structure and will think about going
back to the streets. But victory is possible in his life!
Harvin wants me to ask you to keep praying. He says that there is
surely a party in heaven today because of this victory, and that if you keep
praying, God is going to keep providing. Harvin is sure that God is
going to continue answering your prayers.
With a faith-filled big brother like Harvin and ten newly adopted brothers
who are ready to help, Darwin is in very good hands! But I would like
to echo Harvin in asking you to pray. I feel strongly that the battle
for Darwin’s life is a spiritual one. Please pray that he would have
the strength to give his life completely to God. Also, pray for the
Micah boys. This is a tremendous opportunity for them to minister on
the cutting edge, and they are ready to go at it with all their hearts.
I believe some tremendous growth will come out of this!
As I write, there is an amazing energy in the house. The boys are
ready for battle. Would you be willing to provide a foundation of prayer
for them and for Darwin and for the boys as his ministers? Together,
we can be the hands of Jesus that lead Darwin into new life!
In the glory of the ever-expanding kingdom of our Savior, and in gratitude
for your prayers,
Michael Miller