By: Roxann Malloy
The lives of hundreds of students and children in Panama are changed by the Mission teams that come. Every year there is a different experience that results in new memories, stories and testimonies. Seeing and being a part of a child accepting Christ into their heart is inexplicably beautiful. Children are greatly impacted from the peace that comes through believing on Christ as their Savior. This peace is desperately needed in homes where these children experience poverty, abuse, and gang influences.
One morning, I was translating as the mission team was sharing testimonies in the classroom at the school Institute Bolivar (Bolivars Institute). During this time, two boys in the classroom were getting into a heated argument. I attempted to settle them down to listen; however, the argument escalated. All of a sudden the two boys were facing each other with fists in the air. Before I was able to stop the fight, one of the boys punched the other in the chin and a fight broke out. As I was struggling to get the boys away from each other, three other boys from the class helped me break them apart. I took one of two outside while the other boy stayed in the classroom.
I took the boy to the staircase and we sat down. I told him to take deep breaths and calm down. I asked him why he got so angry and agitated so easily. It took a while for him to open up to me, but he eventually told me that he holds in a lot of anger. I asked him where all that anger comes from. He told me his father hits him. He showed me cuts, scars, and cigarette burns that he claimed came from his dad. My heart broke for him–his abuse had come from the very place he should have felt safe.
I asked if I could pray for him. With no hesitation he said yes. We bowed our heads and I prayed peace over him and his family. He started to cry and I placed my hand on his shoulder. I continued to pray and I could feel his attitude changing. After I prayed, he gave me a big hug and thanked me. We headed back to the classroom. As soon as we walked in, the other boy apologized, they hugged, and everyone started to clap. I will continue to pray for this boy and his home life. I trust that the Lord will take care of him and give him what he needs.