home for refugees.

life in Haiti is hard.  it is hard for those born here.  it is hard for those who come.  last night we talked about children's need of love, of affection, their need simply to be held.  i sometimes wonder if more of Haiti's problems lie more in that simple lacking than the lack of food or jobs.  can there be a greater necessity than for a child to be held?  my heart breaks.  

amidst the brokenness of this place, in its true poverty of spirit, and in every difficulty of its life, i have found great peace.  i am thankful for my temporary home here because in this poor soil my soul has come to life.  in the darkness i have seen true Light.  my soul rests in God because apart from Him there is no rest.  and in the face of the hate and hurt and brokenness and poverty i have seen the face of my Jesus, i have touched Him and held Him and served Him.  perhaps i have truly Loved Him for the first time.  

poverty is awful.  it is discouraging and saddening and angering and challenging in every way.  and it is true that poverty itself offers us no hope.  one thing, however, that poverty does offer us is Jesus, in whom alone there is Hope, in whom there is always Hope.  

[ run to the suffering if you love Him and worship Him there, that is where He is found; He is the home for refugees. ]

thank You, Dear Jesus, for sharing Your Joy with me.  may i not be afraid to live Your life.