One Independent Baby

By Lynne Larson, an American serving with Betel Spain

Having a Fourth of July birthday, I have often lived up to the joke about being an “independent baby.” But if I live in this manner toward my Heavenly Father, I return to being enslaved and yoke-ridden. I may not at first feel the effects and burdens of my rebelliousness, but they creep up on me. Eventually I find myself lacking peace, becoming a slave to perfectionism and people-pleasing and caught in the downward spiral of personal strongholds once again. Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery.”

As I personally seek to more fully embrace the freedom we have through Jesus (and with that the promises of the abundant life, peace that passes all understanding, living free of condemnation and so much more), my heart becomes more burdened for the Betelitos to embrace their freedom from the yoke of drugs and alcohol. Oh, that they would gain radically-changed lives living in daily dependence on God!

One beautiful woman who walks in her new-found freedom is Maria. Here is a letter she asked me to share with my family, friends and church:

Hi, my name is Maria. I am 31 years old. Since I was 14 I have been on the streets with drugs and men, manipulating people and they manipulating me. That’s how it is on the streets. Everything, everything is bought and sold. It is very sad, but God has given me everything in my past so that I can appreciate what I have. I now have the desire to love. Love is not a feeling but rather something you give, and I don’t care about the consequences because Jesus is with me. Love exists, and I have faith.

On June 2, 2007, I was saved. I give thanks, and I pray that I won’t fall. I will work hard in Betel, or wherever, so that others won’t go through what I did.

I remember you and give thanks for you and people like Lynne.

God bless you.

Thank you for supporting me with your prayers and gifts so that I can have the freedom to serve Christ here with Betel Spain. It is an amazing privilege to love these women and be part of their journey to freedom in Jesus.

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