Betel boot camp tests Kiwi church planter

Judy Patterson’s introduction to the ministry of Betel has been an intense one. For the last year she has shared accommodation with the recovering addicts, adhering strictly to the same regime.  Loss of privacy and personal time are just some of the challenges as she adapts to the culture and learns the language. 

There’s about 20 girls in Judy’s ‘house’, and though her language is still limited she’s learned enough to know “…there’s a lot of pain in their backgrounds.”  She writes, “One girl told me she had been an addict for 20 years.  Her story included suicide attempts, infections from drug use, and getting shot.  It is very challenging to hear and sadly not at all uncommon.”

Another woman in Judy’s house is Ana.  “Ana has just made the difficult decision to have her children remain in care because she’s not yet ready to look after them.  She wants to continue growing in her relationship with Jesus and to work on personal issues like anger.  Her concern is that if the children are returned too soon, the pressure may be too much for her and she’ll return to the streets.” 

Judy has been impressed again by the crucial importance of prayer.  She explains, “I’m becoming much more aware of the spiritual battle we’re in, especially as I watch girls come into the house who desperately want to get free of drugs but return to the streets – more often because of what is going on in their heads than the physical stresses of withdrawal.”