Irly has been a Christian through our efforts in Ecuador for several years and has always tried to encourage her mother-in-law, Rita, to go to church. Rita didn’t want to listen because she claimed to already be a Christian. Rita loves her children, they love her, and they care about her.
Despite her resistance, Rita felt an emptiness in her heart; she was not happy and felt that everything was meaningless. Loneliness was in her thoughts.
When Rita was alone, she received news that she was going to have to have a cataract operation. She was very nervous and scared for this eye operation. Rita finally admitted that she did not have a relationship with Jesus and she really didn’t know who He was.
Rita asked if Irly would go through an intentional series of lessons called, “It’s All About Relationship” that the teams use extensively in Ecuador. Irly was so thrilled to be able to share Jesus’ story with Rita! It was an answer to prayer when Rita accepted Christ in her life and wanted to have this joy and peace that only He can give.
Rita is a changed person; she has gotten closer to her family and now she feels joy being part of the family of Christ. Rita no longer feels alone. In fact, she feels free!
While she learns more about Jesus from the Bible, she and now knows that what she was when she was growing up wasn’t from God. She removed the idols that she used to worship and is worshipping the true God.
Even though at times Rita thinks that she wasted her life, she now knows that it is never too late to repent. She believes that the best gift that she can give her children and daughters-in-law is to share the Word with them, pray for them, and show the love she now feels with Jesus!
