His Joy, My Strength

Nehemiah 8:10

"Do not grieven. For the joy of the Lord is my strength."

One of our Tesoros de Dios students embraces and lives out this bible verse. Her name is Estefany, and in our Tesoros de Dios facebook page we have been asking people to pray for her.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=463371860340205&set=a.414698248540900.100323.132639130080148&type=1&theater

At age 15, Estefany began began showing symptoms that led to her being diagnosed with Axonal Polyneuropathy, a neurological disorder that occurs when many nerves throughout the body malfunction simultaneously. It has been a huge lifestyle change that presented many new obstacles for her and her family. (Taken from our newsletter)

She is now sixteen years old. She has been in the hospital intesive care for a month now. She has had surgery since she has been struggling with breathing. The hospital has a rule that will not let her mom to sleep at the side of her daughter, she sleeps on the hard benches outside for as long as her daughter has been in the hospital.

These are the benches outside of the hospital the she is in. They aren´t very comfortable.

Today, we went to the hospital with the intent to offer support, love, and prayers to Estefany´s mother. We know it can be difficult for us to go insideto see her. So, we weren´t really thinking that would be a possibility.

God had something greater however. We were able to go inside the hospital into intensive care, and see Estefany´s beautiful smile. Everytime I visit her, I am so encouraged by her smile and positive attitude. Yes, a heavy heart for the pain she carries. But, so encouraged by her joy.

Here she is, laying on bed, dependent on a machine to breathe, with a tube on her throat, only able to see her mom for a couple hours, not knowing if she will wake up the next day. Yet, she greets me with a huge smile, and as I ask her how she is doing, she moves her mouth to say:

Mejor. Better.

And gives me a another huge smile. Her mother and extended family love Jesus so much and are still hoping on Him to touch her with His healing hand. They are sure of the hope that there is after life, but do not lose hope to how God can work through her life.

Estefany is so filled with the Spirit, and most definitely has His joy, which indeed is the strength that allows her to encourage her mother and visitors like myself.

Please pray for her and her beautiful family. They are an inspiration. I have lots to learn from this joy and hope that my beautiful friend, Estefany, has.