The Deeper Peace

An Update on our Venezuela Mamas

For years Venezuela has been enduring an ongoing socioeconomic and political crisis. It began during the presidency of Hugo Chávez and worsened under his successor, Nicolás Maduro. The people have suffered escalating starvation, disease, crime, and mortality rates, as the country has been plagued by political corruption, chronic shortages of food and medicine, closure of businesses, unemployment, human rights violations, and the list goes on.

Now Maduro has been captured and is in prison awaiting trial, and the world is watching the drama unfold, wondering what will happen next.

But what about the people? When the bombing of Venezuela began, we received a prayer request for our country directors, Anahis and Felipe, because they live very close to the area that was under strike. This news put a human face on the whole situation and reminded us that God sees nations, but He also sees every person, knows their needs, and hears their cries. Thankfully Anahis, Felipe, and all the women they’re ministering to were unharmed and are trusting Jesus for whatever lies ahead.

And well they should. For in the midst of all this upheaval and uncertainty, a quiet, beautiful work continues to blossom. Dictators come and go, but the Lord remains on His throne, and He is always moving in and through His people. The story of Yura illustrates this well.

Yura is a single mother of three children, one of whom has special needs. She wanted to open a business to provide personal care for women, including facials, eyebrow and eyelash design, manicures, pedicures, nail treatments, and other spa-type services. The Lulu Tree provided funding to purchase the supplies needed to start the business, but to make the space in her home comfortable and inviting for clients, much cleaning and repair was needed. Enter Señor José. He patched up holes, painted walls, and with the help of our directors, made the space beautiful and clean. The walls were then meticulously decorated with hand-painted art and signage, making the space a sanctuary where one woman could serve others, ministering to their bodies and their souls, all in the name of Jesus.

News and social media feeds will continue to buzz about this dictator and that president and what should or shouldn’t happen on a global scale. God’s people will continue to pray for virtuous leadership to be established in Venezuela and in every place where cruelty reigns. And, as always, the Lord will remain sovereign over it all, unshaken and unshakable, judging righteously, raising up kings and bringing them down according to perfect plans formed long ago.

WATCH: A Mother Gets Her Dream Job in Venezuela

And in a little house in Venezuela, a weary woman will enter a welcoming space, where loving hands will massage away the stress in her shoulders and the worry lines on her face. She’ll lean into the peace of that moment and that place, and perhaps she’ll receive the deeper peace Yura longs to share — that all will be well. Because it will.

Praying for Venezuela

Gracious Lord, thank You that You do according to Your will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. Pour out Your Spirit on Venezuela. Raise up godly leadership for the nation, and equip Your church to spread Your gospel, ministering in the midst of these dark days. Bless the efforts of Anahis and Felipe, and bless the businesses of Yura and the other women in the program who are trusting You to provide for them and their children. Protect them all, and use them to bless their communities and advance Your kingdom. We commit this troubled nation and its people to You, and we thank You in advance for all You will do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.