barred beauty.

Our ministry host in El Salvador works very closely with a government-run orphanage under ISNA, the Salvadoran Institute for the Integral Development of Children and Youth.  This particular orphanage that we had the opportunity to visit hosts boys ranging from ages 12-17; once these boys turn 18 – they are dismissed from this orphanage because of their age. My team partnered with another team and we worked at this orphanage most Mondays and Fridays. Our main project was repairing a rotting roof, full of asbestos, and painting the inside of the rooms.

 

A few Fridays ago, while painting inside one of the rooms at ISNA, the sights of how these young men live blew my mind and sank my heart. 

 

I put my roller down and just sighed…

 

“Jesus.”

 

As I looked around and took in the living conditions what caught my eye the most were metal bars. These metal bars were used for everything: for their rooms, the windows, the fences, the gate…everywhere you looked: your eyes were met with metal bars. Bars meant for safety but instead call out, “you can’t escape from this place or this cycle of life;” bars that trap souls longing to be free; bars that practically spell out loneliness, abandonment, worthlessness; bars that are constant reminders of the walls that outsiders have put up to shield their eyes from hurt, oppression, injustice.

 

“Jesus.”

 

Seeing things like this makes me wonder at times where He is. How is our Father okay with these injustices? with these hurts? with beautiful people thinking they have to sell themselves to be loved? with people roaming the streets in search of a place to lay their head? with children feeling as if they’re burdens to society?

 

He’s not.

 

let me tell you again…He is not okay.

 

^{Deuteronomy 10: 17} “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. ¹⁸ He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. 

 

^{Job 8:3} Does God twist justice?
    Does the Almighty twist what is right?

 

^{Psalm 10: 17} Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.
    Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.
¹⁸ You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
    so mere people can no longer terrify them.

 

^{Psalm 11:7} For the righteous Lord loves justice.
    The virtuous will see his face.

 

^{Isaiah 61:11} The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
    Everyone will praise him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
    with plants springing up everywhere.

 

^{Job 35: 14} You say you can’t see him,
    but he will bring justice if you will only wait.

 

I am so thankful that He chose me. He planned my steps to lead me to this orphanage and to see His heart for His children. He is so good and perfect are His ways! I pray that as you read this, you join me in seeking justice. Pray for it. Pray for open eyes and open hearts. Pray that He will come swiftly for His children. Pray for hope in the waiting. Pray for boldness to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

 

 

Like David wrote in Psalm 40:8-10, I, too, “take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.”

 He will bring justice if you will only wait. Wait on Him. He is so faithful in the waiting…he brings refinement, he brings grace, peace, wisdom and deliverance. Come and deliver your children, Lord. Show your justice to the nations!