God is moving all over Palenque. He is bringing his Kingdom here among the people. The people here are ripe for harvest. Many are broken and are seeking out the hope that is found in Jesus Christ alone. They want to be healed not only of their infirmities, but deep down in their soul. The people are hungry and desire more than what their daily life feeds them. If we look at the multitudes, it is a bit overwhelming, but if we notice Jesus in each individual and seek to be His hands and feet to each man and woman – the Gospel comes alive and lives among us.
I came face to face with Jesus today. Jesus wept. Jesus cuddled. Jesus was healed. Jesus was clothed and He was fed.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take you inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” – Jesus (Matt. 25:34-36)
Jesus wept…as Amanda and I prayed for him. In flesh, Santos is a 34 year old drunk that was passed out on the front steps of a store. To those whose hearts are set on loving Jesus, opportunities abound in serving “the least of these”. Santos looked at us longingly with his yellow eyes. We offer him all we have: the hope that is found in Jesus. As we pray, he accepts Jesus into his heart. In his sincerity, he cries. His shoes are falling apart and his shirt is holy and dirty. Today we were blessed with the opportunity to put new clothes on his back and shoes on his feet. We not only had the opportunity to feed his stomach with food, but his soul with the real bread of life – Jesus himself.
Sarah curled up in my lap. Her blue dress flowed over my legs as she pulled her knees up to her chest. As she looks up into my eyes, Jesus looks back at me longingly through her big, brown eyes. She silently cries out – Do you notice me? Do you love me? I wrap my arms tighter around her little body and rock her back and forth. I rest my chin on the top of her head, close my eyes and pray. Jesus loves the little children…all the children of the world.
The Holy Spirit fell on Mariano last night and again today. Jesus took on the form of a worn out, beaten down, old man. He entered into a body that is struck with a paralyzed right arm and placed himself in the mercy of human faith and compassion. In faith we gathered around this man and prayed for healing. For Jesus sent out his disciples to lay their hands on the sick and ask for healing in Jesus name. All glory and power belong to the ultimate doctor – Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals. We cried out for healing and God heard our shouts. Today he can move his arm more that ever before. We continue to ask for healing, as our Lord want to bring us to complete restoration.
Tonight the word of the Lord came alive through a 13 year old, humble young man. Miguel was Jesus incarnate. As he read from Proverbs, Isaiah, and then Joshua, the living word was transformed before my very eyes. Miguel’s eyes welled with tears of joy as he began to meet his Father. Miguel was fatherless. His dad and older brother left him when he was a baby. This was a special moment in his life. As he was beginning to discover his heavenly father, he was surrounded by men (and women) who loved him as their own. I could not stop beaming as though he was my own son.
Jesus is alive. We just need to open our eyes. He is living in those around us…and inside each of us. Jesus is calling each of us to himself. He longs to be fed, to be clothed, to be healed…and most of all, to be noticed and loved.
Christ said, “I was hungry and you gave me food.” He was hungry not only for bread but for the understanding of love of being loved, of being known, of being someone to someone. – Mother Theresa
