A Family Healed after Infidelity

Amazonian Wednesdays 🌴

July 2023

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“What does it matter to you?? Stay out of my life!”

With these words, Sandra’s fifteen-year-old son Tiago slammed his door. He was seething with anger. His fury constantly simmered just under the surface. The smallest things quickly caused it to boil over in hateful words.

Tiago felt justified in his treatment of his mother. Sandra had abandoned the family three years prior. She had left her husband and four children for another man. When the pandemic hit, she was far, far away. Tiago burned with rage that his mother had left them in the very worst of times to fend for themselves.

Tiago’s father, Eduardo, had clung to Jesus through this trial. He had prayed his wife back home and forgiven her. However, Tiago was far from ready to do so. Deep in his soul, he felt that his mother’s betrayal was unforgivable. He had made an inner vow to never love her again. He refused to even acknowledge her as his mother. He would only care for his father from then on, he promised himself. After all, his dad was the one that took care of them during those two painful years… alone.

But God! Tiago had nothing to do during summer vacation. So he decided to go to our youth camp. When he did, Jesus completely transformed his life. He testifies:

“The last day there, a young man stood up. He shared with us his story of abuse and healing. As he opened his heart, we all began to cry. We fell on the floor, weeping. I learned firsthand about the love of God and His forgiveness. In those moments, I decided it was time to let go of my bitterness. I didn’t want to hold onto it any longer.”

The minute he got home from camp, he embraced Sandra. “I love you, Mom!” burst out of his mouth. She was shocked. “Can we talk?” he asked eagerly.

Immediately he began pouring out to her everything God had done in him. “It was at camp I decided, Mom. I forgive you for leaving us. I will no longer bring it to mind. From now on, we will be Christians together, serving Jesus. I feel so different, so changed. I am so full of peace!”

He paused thoughtfully and then went on. “You know, I thought I was the only one hurting like that. Now I know there are so many others. I want to help them. I want to learn how to minister. I want to be a leader. I want to have a cell group in our house, okay?”

Sandra was speechless, taking all this in. Her son was unrecognizable as the same person from just days prior. Her face radiated gratitude as she told us afterwards, “I have never seen him like this. He is jumping and dancing in church, so full of joy. He’s never done that in his life before. God has turned our lives around… forever!”