As I look around, I feel at complete peace. The wind is blowing lightly through the leaves on the trees and those that are scattered along the ground dance as the breeze hits them oh so softly. The birds are chirping and the puppies are rolling around in the grass. As I look down the hill in front of me, a strong white horse gently leads her 6 week old babe around the open land. To my right, I see mountains that seem tall enough to touch heaven and I excitedly await the day when I’ll climb to the top. I take a deep breath and inhale the crisp fall air that’s a mix of fresh pine and the warmth of the sun. I look up and see the bright blue sky covered by thick white clouds that glide by with the gentle wind.
I haven’t felt this at peace in months. The non-stop honking horns and busy city streets have been replaced by the quiet sounds of nature at its best.
Man’s creation is left behind and God’s creation takes over.
Every morning at 7am, we’re out the door for our morning run down the dirt roads where the trees tower over top. Ah, this is the life.
Given it’s only day 3, I already know this will be one of my favorite months. We’re staying in dorms next to our contact, Tony, and his wife, Nedia’s, home. After being in cities in Asia the past 3 months, I was in need of some time out in the woods..or the country..or in any area that had more than one tree per square mile…God has provided big time.
Tony, our contact, reminds me a lot of my dad. He grew up in Utah and became a Christian 6 years ago. He’s living proof that if you’re open to letting the Lord use you, He will use you! Tony has an extremely passionate heart for bringing Kingdom to the places that need it most. He’s ALWAYS ready and willing to help anyone, anytime. He has ideas up the wazoo on how to get the community involved in eachothers lives and how to clean up the environment.
This month, we’ll be turning Tony’s vision of creating an International Christian Retreat Center, ‘The Garden of Eden’, on this land into a reality. Jess, Ashley and I even have the honor of creating and painting the main sign out front! Hooray!
Tony’s biggest passion lies in a city called Los Pinos, one of the most dangerous cities within one of the most dangerous countries in the world. He has been warned multiple times that he shouldn’t be involved in Los Pinos, that it’s not safe and hopeless. As he tells us this, his eyes tear up. Through it all, the Lord gives him the strength, hope and perseverance to keep going.
To paint a picture for you, Los Pinos was described as this
… Trash everywhere. Kids of all ages sniffing paint thinner on nearly every street. School is non-existent. Jobs are non-existent. There’s literally nothing to do all day, everyday. Nothing to eat. No clothes to change into after getting out of bed. At this point, they’re merely existing. Most don’t sniff paint thinner because it gets them high, they do it to curb hunger, to fight boredom and to make the day pass by.
A few of the kids Tony has been working with picked us up from the bus station when we arrived. They were all smiles and hugs as they helped us with our bags. They spent the whole ride talking to us and joking around with us as if we were their big brothers and sisters. Keep in mind, these are kids from 8-16 yrs old that used to be numb to everything going on around them because they were so high on paint thinner.
So my question is, who are we to decide who is seen as hopeless? If we truly believe and trust that the Lord can do all things, why are we so quick to decide who’s life can or cannot be transformed? Who are we to doubt that God will protect us when He tells us to go somewhere that needs His love? Aren’t those the places and the people we should be seeking out most?
a pic from romania <3 …not sure if you can see it, but the light is shining down directly on a church
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
