Handprint of the Holy Spirit

It might seem like just any ordinary effort to meet human need with an organized plan. An orphanage. But when Zoila ran from Terry in tears it proved to be a “God thing”. In fact, the handprint of the Holy Spirit showed up everywhere.

We marvel at God’s handprint in creation -- the beauty and wonder of the galaxies, the splendor of mountain peaks, the intricacy of living cells and human anatomy. But do we marvel at the handprint of the Holy Spirit in the events of our lives? Francis Chan, author and pastor, poses a question to ask of ourselves, “When was the last time I undeniably saw the Spirit at work in or around me?” (Forgotten God, p. 35)

Hogar De Gozo is an orphanage in San Pedro, Sonora, Mexico. It is a home of joy for some twenty children rescued from despair and desperate home situations. Its beginning, in the year 2009, is a marvelous story to consider.

A missionary in Sonora for some twenty years, Terry Lingle has helped to start several churches, an orphanage, a drug rehab center, and a camp. Pedro and Zoila were raised in the first orphanage he started. They were married and began to raise a family. While working for the Sonora state police Pedro also served as pastor of a church. He approached Terry and offered to help in any way needed, in appreciation for the years of loving care he had received at the orphanage. He helped with the camp, he helped with church ministry, and he helped with a new church plant that Terry began.

While canvassing for the new church plant Terry was alerted to a home where three children were locked in, unfed, and uncared for. He located the mother and talked to her, but there was no way to help, since the orphanage was already full. So he and his wife, Lori, felt it was time to begin praying earnestly about starting a second orphanage.

Two weeks later, in April, at a street concert to help launch the church, Terry approached Pedro and Zoila. He asked them if they had ever considered the possibility of directing an orphanage. They did not respond… could not. Zoila burst into uncontrollable tears and turned and ran from Terry. He apologized to Pedro and assumed it must have been a poor time to bring up the subject.

A week later they got together again and Zoila apologized to Terry. Then she explained. When they had married they committed to God their desire to someday run an orphanage, similar to the one in which they had been blessed. They told God that Pedro would work as a policeman for ten years. By the end of that time they wanted God to clearly open the door for them and bring someone to them who would ask them to run an orphanage. They entrusted to God this desire of their heart, but told no one else. Then she said this, “last week was the first day of the tenth year. We prayed that morning and reminded God of our commitment and of our request that the Holy Spirit would make it manifestly clear by bringing someone to us. Nine hours later you asked us if we wanted to direct a new orphanage. That is why I turned and ran in tears.”

They decided to take two years to allow God to unfold his plan, waiting upon Him for direction and provision. But by June they had already found a perfect home, in the very community where they had wanted to start a second orphanage a few years earlier. That time, though, God shut the door. This time the house they found had a large ballroom added on the back, perfect for turning into two large dorms and a family room. They made an offer. A business man in Idaho loaned them the money, interest free. They closed on the property in September. Ten days later they had their first children, eight to start with, including the three that had been found locked in a home, alone. Pedro and Zoila live there, with their two children, plus many more, directing the new orphanage, House of Joy.

“After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because of your great effort, or because you trust Him?” (Gal. 3:3,5, with a bit of paraphrase)

Moses, speaking to God: “How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:16)

We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone… We have imitated the world, sought popular favor… and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. (A. W. Tozer)