Meet Khin Zaw Lin (aka Peter).
I first met Peter when my team and I visited New Jerusalem Ministry, one of the children’s refuge homes we’d be working with this month. He is a very lively and outgoing 13-year-old boy, always first to shout out the answer to any question we would ask the class.
All I knew about Peter initially was that he, like all the other kids, came from some sort of unfortunate back round living in Burma but was now rescued and taken into a safe haven to grow, live, and learn.
In the coming days more and more pieces of his story was leaked to us. He used to live in a dump. He’d been taken in on numerous occasions by other homes and ministries but has either run away or been too destructive for each one to keep him. He has an alarmingly large scar on his leg that resulted from falling out of a truck then getting run over. Some of The Journey girls (WR Alum now living in Thailand for a time, also partnering with our contacts) found him a few months ago, loved on him, and took him under their care by giving him over to some gracious house parents for him to stay at New Jerusalem.
From what I can gather, the past few months have been extremely hard for him and all those now involved in his life. He continued to run away, lie, steal, and hide. But each and every time, those around him just relentlessly showed him Jesus’ love by showing him grace and loving him unlike any way he’d been loved or cared for before.
We spent last Sunday morning over at New Jerusalem simply worshipping and sharing whatever God laid on our hearts with everyone there. It was one of the sweetest “church services”. During it, Peter got up and shared a portion of his testimony saying that he came from a nasty place. He used to cry himself to sleep wondering if there would ever be a way out. He wasn’t happy. Then God saved him and he found New Jerusalem. Now he praises God and is doing better.
A few days after that he ran away again, twice. And stole. To me, it’s like he took two steps forward and 3 steps back.
Why would someone who’s been shown so much love, abandon and hurt them? He is in such a good place now why would he run away? I get grace, but don’t consequences also need to be set in place for disobedience? He says he loves God and has been learning so much about Him, how could he hurt Him like that again, as if he never knew Him?
I was so burdened for Peter the day I found out he was missing and stole (again). I didn’t understand. But through personal and spiritual experience, the Lord just reminded me that He’s still in control and He’s got him. And that I am no different than Peter.
Sure, the circumstances of life may have been different. But at some point, we are all a “Peter”. We carry some (even unexpressed) baggage. We feel unworthy. Shamed of our past and present mistakes. We meet God. Love Him. Know what’s right. Yet at times still run away, disobey, and hurt those who love us most. But His love never fails, it never gives up, never runs out on us. His love keeps pursuing us,
RELENTLESSLY.
He knows our life, our struggles, does not condemn, yet pulls us back in His arms wherever we’re at and gives us a fresh start…. Again and again.
God knew exactly where Peter was and had His eyes on him the whole time. Thankfully, Peter was eventually found and brought back home.
When Peter shared his testimony on Sunday, God laid so heavily on my heart (one of my favorites) Psalm 40 confirming that every word represented Peter.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.
14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
Verse 3 is my favorite and just confirms what is to come in Peter’s life. I know and have faith that God will completely deliver him, transform his life, and use Peter to be a testimony to others who have come from the slimy pit where he’s been and then put their trust in the Lord.
For now, say a prayer for Peter.
Click here to view a CNN article written about him when he lived in the dump as a 7 year old. Just see how far he’s come already- God is good and His work is not done yet!!!!!
