mobile like the wind

So this is pretty big news.

There is a indonesian girl that goes to my church named Dewi. I met her a week ago when I got here. She is adorable, covered in tattoos which is something you dont see from an indonesian girl, EVER. Last night after church we all went to dinner and she was sitting next to me. I knew she had to have a pretty gnarly testimony. She comes to church with a guy name Indra. Indra is a professional skateboarder and really famous in Indonesia, and God just completely radically changed his life from drug addiction and partying.. He was really lost. Now he is such an on fire, passionate man of God.
When we sat down at dinner I saw Dewi was crying a little. She was talking to Indra about how she doesnt have any where to stay tonight. I started to talk with her and she shared her testimony to me-
She moved to Bali by herself from Java two years ago. Shes been working in tattoo shops all around the city of kuta as an apprentice. 6 Months ago her boss started encouraging her to try meth. She soon became an addict. On December 29th she heard the audible voice of God and began to pray. Then Indra happened to invite her to our chuch. She came to the Lord and hasn’t used drugs since December 31st. She was telling me about how stressed shes been lately. When she stopped using meth, her boss fired her. She had to leave her apartment because she could not pay the rent. She was staying with people from her circle of friends. Two nights ago the guy she was staying with told her that if she wants to stay there, she must give something in return.. sex. She refused and he kicked her out. Last night she had no where to go. When I heard all this my heart was breaking. She told me how her friends tell her she is “shit.” How could this beautiful girl be on the street tonight? When I saw all her tattoos I assumed she was older than me. I asked her how old she was… She’s just 17.
I knew I had to have her as my little sister. I knew she could not be staying at a place where a man would use her, or where she would be influenced to use drugs. I asked the pastors if I could take her in and if they thought it was okay, if it was safe. They said they’ve seen a radical change in her, and that I could trust her. That they were praying for someone who could spend time with her. Well I guess that someone is me.

Shes asleep right now in my bed. When we got home to my house she showed me her journal. Full of proverbs that she wrote down when she was crying after getting kicked out. She told me about how every time she sees her friends using drugs, she just prays for them. Shes lived so much, but shes so young. I know its a risk to have her in my place, but I know it was what I was supposed to do.

Dewi has 30,000 rp in her pocket. Thats the equivalent of $3, and she only has that because our pastor gave it to her last night. She has applied for a new job and finds out about it in 2 days. I dont know how long she will be with me, but I dont think I could let her move back to Kuta knowing the situations this sweet little girl would be in.
Im faced with some realities. How will I feed her and what if they raise my rent? I need you all to pray for this. Pray for Dewi and God to continue to provide for her. I also want to ask that you consider giving towards this. So that I can buy sufficient groceries for us, at least until she gets a job.

We are having a bible study in a little bit. We were comparing bibles last night and I realized this isnt just what she needed but what I needed too. I have someone to lead, to love, to be an example for. We can have devotions together, and she can help me with my indonesian. Im happy about having a little sister around, but hope that I’ve made a smart choice. I just want to ask that you guys lift this up in prayer, and especially pray for Dewi. Pray that I would have wisdom. Wisdom in loving her, and wisdom in leading her. She needs to know that we really care.

This is a photo of Dewi and I last night.