On the streets with La Zona Roja

Yesterday was Thursday which means Zona Roja day. We´ve met with them for the last 2 weeks, and each week were unable to go out because of some circumstance, however this week we were finally able to hit the streets! God had laid on Kelsey´s heart to stay back and pray, which was perfect because a rule they have is that in order for anyone to go out someone needs to be at the church praying (good idea huh) and David was running late. So we met, prayed together, and then ash and I went out with Maria and Magdelna and Kels stayed back and prayed for us. The four of us going out headed to the metro in order to procede to la raval (an area of heavy prostitution).
When we got of the metro, Ash headed out with Maria and I with Magdelena (who doesn´t speak ANY English). Ash and Maria went to the nigerian prositutes because they speak predominately English, and Magdelena and I went to the Romanian woman who are Spanish speaking. I won´t share any of Ash´s story because I know she want´s to post it herself tomorrow or Sunday.
I had a WONDERFUL time!!!...which is ironic because after I was completley broken...
Magdelena and I went around to different women, chatting and handing out c.d´s. The first woman I actually talked to, Madonna, was a prostitute from romania, and had an amazing singing voice. When we offered her a cd she sang a church song she knew (as she put it). she sang part of Lord I give you my heart (it was beautiful!) We also were able to give her directions to the church because she asked for them! Please pray that she comes and that God continues to work in this woman´s life!
We talked to a couple other girls, and then they left so we stopped and talked to a woman who was so beautiful, yet so sad. Her face showed so much toughness, hurt, pain, bitterness, etc. and it was obvious that she did not want to be there. Magdelena began to speak to her, and she was very resistant to us and to talking with us but Magdelena pressed in and spoke about needing to have faith and hope and the woman said what faith or hope is there for me here? And then Magdelena began to speak words of pure joy and beauty (I´m not sure everything she said... I know she told her that she should have faith in God and that He has another path for her and that she is beautiful...it was quick spanish and hard to follow!) However, what was not hard to follow was the transformation that took place in this woman and on her face.. .she went from rock hard to smiling and laughing at the end... she laughed!!! oh and her smile was beautiful... it was like Magdelena had poured straight milk and honey into this woman´s soul... it was absolutely beautiful! I shared this with Magdelena afterwards, and her response was I can only speak that which God give me (this woman is incredible mind you... amazing faith!).
We continued on walking and talkin ( I was solicited once... I know right? it was "funny" ( say funny lightly because my heart really does break over this and this stuff) because I didn´t know what was goin on at first... this guy asked me my name and I was like Annie.. and then he started talking and Magdelena was like we´re leaving... and in that moment it clicked and I was like.. oh my!...but God is good and faithful! :) ).

Anyways, we met back up with Maria and Ashley shortly after, shared stories and went back to the church to pray. It was cool because Ashley had SUCH joy leaving that place and I was completely broken. (Probably very close picture of the heart of Jesus... joy and sorrow intertwined). I wasn´t able to shake what one of the prostitutes said. "What hope is there here?" Be praying for these women...for God to meet them, release them, free them, heal them, and above all, for them to accept His love!!! there is power in the faith of the women who go out each week to meet with these prostitutes... keep praying for fruit in their work! They are all so amazing...

For now, I must go... Shalom my loved ones... see you soon!