24 Kids. 24 pairs of eyes, ears, hands, feet. 24 hearts that have been ravaged by life.
24 stories of pain and devestation. 24 kids in Mozambique. 24 kids who have stolen my heart.
Damasco, Sinato, Solvino, Sylvester,
Josepha, Raifiki, Domingo, Felizberto,
Isaac, Sarage, Claudio, Olex,
Judita, Admira, Sodahla, Zufrina,
Rozena,Guenesa, Shala, Momad,
Lancio, Casilga, Helena, Sandra.
Each one of these kids grabs my heart in a unique way.
I find myself just watching them in wonderment.
Asking why? Why do I love these kids?
At the end of many long pauses, I have no answers.
A love beyond reason.
All year I have prayed to see as God sees. To feel as God feels. To be lead by his hand.
As we drove to Swaziland today, I was struck by God’s love.
A love that shed blood to cover me.
Hands and feet that ache with each act of grace poured out.
Every sin that I need forgiven, not just me but every person in this van,
on the Race, in Mozambique, in Africa, in the world,
past, present and future.
The depth of this truth humbled me.
To choose death.
A love beyond reason.
Could I ever fully comprehend this love?
I think I could spend every moment, of every day,
for several lifetimes and only drain the cup by one drop.
This past month I experienced a taste of this love.
Beyond reason, I love these kids.
I want to hug them. I want to kiss them.
I want to hold them when they are hurt.
I want to cry with them. Laugh with them.
Play, sing, and dance with them.
Mostly, I want them to know they are loved.
Loved by a God who poured out his own blood to save them.
Loved by a God whose wounds secure our healing.
Loved by a God who is waiting to lavish them with grace and mercy.
Loved beyond reason.
