Air
I find it hard to believe that we share the same air as Jesus did when he walked this earth. About 2000 years ago He was gasping for breath in the desert as he walked in the heat, using the same oxygen to preach to people he cared about, and breathing his last on the cross; "Father, I entrust my Spirit into your hands!" (Luke 23:46).
And yet today, despite Jesus' sacrifice for us and his invitation to freedom, we still take for granted the air we breathe. People treat others poorly. There is sin everywhere, all around us...it takes a quick glance in the news to get a glimpse of the brokenness people are feeling. No one can escape death. No one will be without some sort of suffering and pain in his life. I am not saying these things to be a downer...that's not usually my personality :). I just want people to see that if there is any hope in this life then it has to be in Jesus Christ.
In these past weeks we have watched our host families go through some hard times of mourning for a father who passed away and a baby who never got the chance to be born. But I also got to celebrate with my mom who told me of a mother who has just given birth to a boy who should not have lived, back in Kelowna. We were also amazed to hear, from Ben Froese visiting our team from Abbotsford, about the story of the two AIDS orphans in Thailand who, in September I believe, were healed from their terminal illnesses. And all it took was the wondering-if-Jesus-is-real faith of a Buddhist woman in Thailand (now-turned follower-of-Jesus) who prayed and fasted for the boys. She found out in an amazing way that He is real!
I've been seeing Jesus in a lot of places lately. I've seen him in the street children who beg at the Community Centre down the street from us, six days a week. Instead of fearing us they now know that they can trust us, and I look forward to giving them hugs as they come and wrap their little arms around us, seeking love that they do not receive often. I believe that's the way Jesus wants us to run to Him.
I have seen Jesus in the six AIDS orphan boys who go to our church, and that Jen teaches math to. At the ages of 9, 10, 11, and 12, and knowing that their lives will most likely not be lived much longer, they have memorized more of the Bible than I have. At church, they lift up their little hands to God in faith that He can do miracles. We as a team have been intentionally praying for them this past week, that He would do miracles for these boys. If you would like to know their names to pray for them as well, email me and I'll send them to you.
I've seen Jesus in the eyes of the children who live in a nearby slum, whose faces lit up the other day when we had the privilege of taking them to a park across the city, at India Gate. Most of them had never been on a swing or slide, in a car or even out of the slum they call home. The joy on their faces when they would gleefully get to the bottom of the slide can be only described as "perfect." I suspect that that same look is familiar to parents of young children in the West (and in the East for that matter)...I just wonder, "Why do we lose that joy as we grow old?" Jesus said in the book of Matthew, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Why does our pride get in the way of seeing all the awesome things God has in store for us?
Other things worthy of mention:
- We celebrated "Holi" with our neighbours on the 3rd and 4th of March, a Hindu festival where they rub paint on each other's faces and arms, as well as throw water balloons and hose each other as much as possible. If you go outside those days, that's it. You're wet.
- We will be heading out of Delhi this coming Saturday (the 17th) until the 31st for a trip to Goa and to Nepal to renew our Visas. Please pray that they will be processed without trouble, and that we will have a relaxing time/good bonding time in Goa.
- I am still trying to raise financial support from out here in India, so if anyone is getting an unexpected sweet tax-return or just feels like helping me out, I would be super-grateful!
God bless you all. In Christ,
Bethany
And yet today, despite Jesus' sacrifice for us and his invitation to freedom, we still take for granted the air we breathe. People treat others poorly. There is sin everywhere, all around us...it takes a quick glance in the news to get a glimpse of the brokenness people are feeling. No one can escape death. No one will be without some sort of suffering and pain in his life. I am not saying these things to be a downer...that's not usually my personality :). I just want people to see that if there is any hope in this life then it has to be in Jesus Christ.
In these past weeks we have watched our host families go through some hard times of mourning for a father who passed away and a baby who never got the chance to be born. But I also got to celebrate with my mom who told me of a mother who has just given birth to a boy who should not have lived, back in Kelowna. We were also amazed to hear, from Ben Froese visiting our team from Abbotsford, about the story of the two AIDS orphans in Thailand who, in September I believe, were healed from their terminal illnesses. And all it took was the wondering-if-Jesus-is-real faith of a Buddhist woman in Thailand (now-turned follower-of-Jesus) who prayed and fasted for the boys. She found out in an amazing way that He is real!
I've been seeing Jesus in a lot of places lately. I've seen him in the street children who beg at the Community Centre down the street from us, six days a week. Instead of fearing us they now know that they can trust us, and I look forward to giving them hugs as they come and wrap their little arms around us, seeking love that they do not receive often. I believe that's the way Jesus wants us to run to Him.
I have seen Jesus in the six AIDS orphan boys who go to our church, and that Jen teaches math to. At the ages of 9, 10, 11, and 12, and knowing that their lives will most likely not be lived much longer, they have memorized more of the Bible than I have. At church, they lift up their little hands to God in faith that He can do miracles. We as a team have been intentionally praying for them this past week, that He would do miracles for these boys. If you would like to know their names to pray for them as well, email me and I'll send them to you.
I've seen Jesus in the eyes of the children who live in a nearby slum, whose faces lit up the other day when we had the privilege of taking them to a park across the city, at India Gate. Most of them had never been on a swing or slide, in a car or even out of the slum they call home. The joy on their faces when they would gleefully get to the bottom of the slide can be only described as "perfect." I suspect that that same look is familiar to parents of young children in the West (and in the East for that matter)...I just wonder, "Why do we lose that joy as we grow old?" Jesus said in the book of Matthew, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Why does our pride get in the way of seeing all the awesome things God has in store for us?
Other things worthy of mention:
- We celebrated "Holi" with our neighbours on the 3rd and 4th of March, a Hindu festival where they rub paint on each other's faces and arms, as well as throw water balloons and hose each other as much as possible. If you go outside those days, that's it. You're wet.
- We will be heading out of Delhi this coming Saturday (the 17th) until the 31st for a trip to Goa and to Nepal to renew our Visas. Please pray that they will be processed without trouble, and that we will have a relaxing time/good bonding time in Goa.
- I am still trying to raise financial support from out here in India, so if anyone is getting an unexpected sweet tax-return or just feels like helping me out, I would be super-grateful!
God bless you all. In Christ,
Bethany
posted by Beth at 9:14 AM
2 Comments:
Lord I pray for Visa, I thank you for providing us with countries that allow us to spread your word, Lord I thank you for providing a smooth process here in Oaxaca, Lord I thank you for providing visa to my cousins in Hungry, Lord I ask you that you bless the Trek Crew in India, that you provide them with a smooth process with a enjoyable trip into town, with your bless wherever they go. In your Name Amen
Beth,
Whenever I read your blog, I am always so encouraged. I get so excited when I see people like you stepping into the fullness of God! I thank God for you. You are amazing! God shines through you so much. I feel so blessed to know you! The bride of Christ is so amazing! Isn't it also amazing that God choose us to be a part of what He is doing!
I also want to encourage you to believe God for big things. To Him what we think is "impossible" and what we think is "possible",well, there's no difference. It's all possible to Him. Praise God!
Amanda
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