As I walked past our neighbors house the other day I heard screaming coming from within. It is not unusual for me to hear screaming or even loud talking coming from houses as I walk past because the walls of the houses are thin and windows or doors are usually open. You can hear almost everything going on inside the houses. Normally, I do not pay attention to the noises as I walk the ½ mile trek from the church to Bob's, our base leaders, house. Today was different for some reason and I slowed my pace to listen for a second. The words were in Spanish so I did not understand much but I knew someone was in trouble.

I figured it was probably one or both of the two girls that live at that house because it sounded like their mom yelling. These girls are only six and four but they are both very intelligent and have the sweetest hearts. Often when they see us walking by they run out to give us hugs. This afternoon as I slowed my pace I thought of what must be going on inside of them as their mom was screaming at them. Just hearing the anger in her voice made me cringe.

I heard a smack and then a soft whimper. I knew that they were not only getting yelled at but also they were also getting hit. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach and felt nauseous. I was standing here listening as my two, sweet, little friends were getting beaten because their mom was having a bad day or she was drunk. There was nothing I could do. I felt so helpless. I wanted to run in that house and defend the little girls but I couldn't. In my human strength there was nothing I could do. It is not a crime in Mexico to hit your children so I could do or say nothing.

It was making me sick standing there and listening so I continued walking. My heart was overwhelmed with so much compassion for these girls. I asked God what I was supposed to do. I am here to help people but in this situation when it seemed like the girls needed me I could do nothing. God stopped me mid sentence and said. "Why can't you pray for them and love them?" I started to explain that is a good idea but I wanted to do more. He stopped me again to remind me that prayer is one of the most powerful tools I have as a Christian. Just because I could not run in there to defend them with my human strength does not mean that I can't be defending them with my prayers.