Norris Family News

A different countenance

Today we had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Casa de Refugio (girl's rehab) as a family. We had several gifts and some food from various people to deliver as Christmas blessings. Erika and the kids had never been there before so we were very excited that an opportunity came up. I was eager to return and to see what God had been doing in the six weeks since I was last there with an outreach team. If you're new to this blog, check out the earlier "River of Love" article to see why I was excited to return! When we arrived, several girls came out to help us unload. One of them was Denisse. She looked different...very different.

Once the things were unloaded we went inside. Several of our kids were off exploring the place and then came downstairs. Denisse came down the stairs too. She was positively radiant! Truly, there could not be a greater contrast between the tear-stained, hurt, angry, tough face I had seen six weeks earlier, and the new face that brightened the room as though a great burden had been lifted only seconds before. And yet there was a deep quality too. She was very glad to see us and was eager to tell of how God is doing great work in her heart. She didn't need to say a word. Even Erika, who had not seen her before, was greatly blessed by her countenance.

The girls had just finished eating and so they invited us to sit down for a meal of tamales (a Christmas tradition) and soup. What a treat that was! Not only did we get to eat delicious food, but we got to sit as a family with the director and one of the English-speaking girls (Marisol, the same one who was my translator six weeks ago) for deep conversation. We talked about our histories, about the needs of the Refugio, about personal needs, and about changed lives. Marisol eagerly changed the subject to Denisse and said, "Did you see her face? Did you see how God has changed her? My face was like hers was when I first arrived. Look at what God has done!"

Praise God!

--Thaine