I smell like burnt
garbage. I’m covered in ash, sewage, and dirt; and I don’t even care. I had no
idea the day would go this way.
First thing in the
morning we went to a lovely elementary school where we told stories about
Jesus, then let the kids ask questions about us and our lives in the U.S. They
asked stuff like “do you have kids” and “are you rich,” and where generally
amazed to see white people. We laughed and had fun and left.
ministry” or “street evangelism.” The houses were packed together, made of
loose scraps, tin, and any other materials that could form a shelter. Calling
it a house was kind of a stretch.
talked to one lady, and then saw the smoke. The slums were on fire. As we tried
to decide what to do, you could hear people yelling frantically and the sound
of explosions. The sound of propane tanks exploding; the roofs popping off
sounded like a cannon. I kept fighting back tears as we ran to help if we
could. Once we got as close as we could we realized there was nothing we could
do. People we’re dragging what they could away from the flames, carrying small
children, and scooping the muddy water that flowed with trash down the alley to
appease the flames. I saw a small girl covered in ashes, her head had suffered
burns, they were stripping her down to try to wash her wounds. We tried to
carry water to help, but I soon discovered that people were being forced to
choose between their precious supply of drinking water, and watching their
homes go up in flames. All I could do
was pray God help us.
a 3 week old baby had been “burnt up” in the fire. One dead, many burned and
injured, and over a hundred people put out of their homes. In the face of such
great suffering it sometimes seems hard to be joyful. But what else can you do?
You suffer either way, but God has sent His spirit to comfort us. I prayed that
God give me His heart, and I know when I see suffering, I can’t hold back the tears and my heart aches
so, I know that God’s see’s our suffering, and He hurts for us too.
A girl in Bible study
said something I thought I should share:
The enemy is a thief;
he steals our joy- because he knows the Joy of the Lord is our Strength.
your joy. Even in the face of such great suffering, there is hope. God has
people, and He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice
and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same
way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Our church here has
provided food and clothes to as many of the victims as possible. We’re hoping
that many of them will come to church and hear the good news. Don’t get me
wrong this was an awful tragedy, but God can use anything for His glory.
few of us we’re able to gather with some children at the garbage heap. As they
came up and touched our faces and hair, and we began to sing songs and play and
love on them, I knew that God was watching over them closely, and had sent us
to show his children his love. I wanted so badly to save them from this place,
but all I could do was sit there in the dirt and trash and take them into my
lap. I could love them, I could show them that God cared, and that’s what I did.
I told them how precious they we’re, hugged them, and told them a thousand
times how much I loved them. God loves these people, His people, and has sent
us here to tell them He hasn’t forgotten them.
That’s all for now.
Even in your suffering be encouraged, God hasn’t forgotten you. He loves you.
<3
