July 10, 2012
Nothing holds my attention more than the mysteries of how Jesus is workingwhere we are. Here, working in the schools and living with our host family, Jesus is working in really amazing ways. On Saturday, a group of children who live in the slums came to be fed physically and spiritually. Watching children recite memory verses is certainly beautiful, but only a small part of what God is doing here. After eating lunch, all of the children grabbed pamphlets that tell the story of Jesus and went running out the door to give them away. It was walking through random streets, watching children tell people about Jesus that hit me: Jesus is working in a new generation.
Our house mom had the opportunity to tell us more about how the church began. She told us that there was a point where her church was filled with young adults and children - that they were the ones who brought good news to their parents about how Jesus heals and saves. It was really awesome to hear how she loves kids - and is allowing Jesus to work through her and begin a new generation that can influence many. The image of God pervades our host mom as she does things like adopt a fifteen-month-old baby that would have otherwise been aborted. God is at work here.
But, all of these amazing situations do not mean that this place is an easy place to be. A verse that has been resonating with me is Lamentations 2:19, "Arise, cry out in the night as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the LORD." This week, even though I see God, I am still filled with doubt. The days have been filled with me crying out to the LORD - where are You? What brought me here? What is the purpose of all this, if all I see is injustice? I am constantly struggling with what it looks like to serve God when I don't feel his presence. It is moments like this, however, where God will meet us - when we are on our knees crying out to the God who loves us. "The LORD is good to those who hope in him, to the one who seeks him..." Lamentations 3:25
by Laurel
