Out From Behind the Bars of Justice

True love is not imprisoned behind the bars of justice, nor is it confounded by a relative perception of respect or the lack thereof. It is not prejudiced by the manner in which it is viewed or the implications of how or why it even exists. It thrives in a most pure and uncomplicated form based on a genuine appreciation, the recognized creation and predestined purpose of another living soul. Once sourced from such a fountain, an esteemed hope transforms into the most humble action of perfect sacrifice. A slow and crawling, hungry caterpillar shapes into a flying and free, beautiful butterfly, and the point of life itself is birthed in the mind of the beholder. 

I can think of only one who ever achieved such heights by which to give us such a prime example...Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Disrespected and unjustly accused, whipped and beaten with a crown of thorns dripping the metallic taste of blood down onto his lips as they mocked Him and placed a robe around his open wounds - How it must have felt when they ripped off that coagulated mess, to be displayed so naked and shamed, to be nailed as if You were just a piece of meat, to have a sign placed over Your head that proclaimed your royalty, while they spat and laughed and offered You vinegar for your thirst. They waited for Your last great heave - and yet Lord, You asked for our forgiveness? You withheld Your wrath and instead allowed Your payment to be poured out upon a world of shamed souls. 

You cover over the likes of me? 
How, Oh Jesus, can it be? Such a grace so undeserved! 
Such a love so unreserved! 
I would think it such a great lie told 
if not my conscience proved me sold! 
The Bible trains me fast and true 
to such a love as bold at You, 
that when I see that weary soul 
the way You see them, then I know, 
there is but one thing I can do. 
Tell them, point them, show them You.

D.C. Elliott 11.20.13

'This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.' (1 John 3:16)

I Want Some More

I just want to share another praise if you'd afford me the time?
4 hours ago I posted about Pastor Pompee's moto breaking down.
2 hours ago a message came in from one of you in the States, about having a desire to give a love offering to us and Pastor Pompee. You didn't even know about the break down.
30 minutes ago I handed your love offering to the pastor. We prayed and drove to the village where he had to leave the moto a few days before, despite news of roadblocks and demonstrations. It started up and he drove it 2 miles while I followed him. Then it died. He is right now pushing it down the road. But he's now pushing that motorcycle the last 1/2 mile towards a mechanic with a great big smile and a bounce in his step. God is so good. He knows your needs before you even have a need.

This pastor left the only transportation his family has, on the side of the road so he could make it to Bible class on Saturday and translate God's Word. Then he had to pastor his church on Sunday and there he learned there were many kids who were sick, so instead of going for his motorcycle, he went and prayed for them. Today he was obliged to come and teach Oberline, as we've hired him to be her teacher. He walked to our house to teach first, fulfilling his commitment, and afterward planned to go for his motorcycle.

It is my absolute conviction that God searched and scoured the motives of this man's heart, and then caused hearts to stir in America on his behalf. Who wouldn't want to receive a Father in Heaven who just waits to meet your every need? I want some of that. I want as much as my cup can hold please. And the good news is I'm not Oliver Twist and God isn't some crooked faced Warden just waiting to whip my pants off. When I say, "Please Sir, I want some more." He says, "Amen! Come and get it! All you can handle, and then I have some more for later!"

Li Pa Gen Limit (He Has No Limit)

Today we ventured deeper and farther into the mountains of Haiti than ever before. The river was crystal clear and cold, and fold after fold of steep ravines jutted up towards the sky on either side. The second tallest peak in Haiti loomed before us, the grand Pic Macaya. We plunged through a river and finally reached our destination just where the road became too difficult. Still, there were small goat trails snaking up into yet deeper country. I know behind them and over the next ridge is yet another village, but I'm always surprised to come through the jungle and what seems like no-man's land, only to pop into a village that looks like it's been there for a thousand years, and a church nestled into the bedrock of some sleepy corner. I dare to wonder if I will ever find the limits, if I ever won't be amazed at what stretches out before me, but even I know Haiti has it's end. That which seems so vast and timeless, comes at some point to the sand and then drifts off to sleep in that deep blue ocean once more...

My God has no limit. I will never find His end. I will never cease to be amazed by Him. I find a peace there. At the end of me, still He is there.
'Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things.To him be the glory forever! Amen.' ~Paul

So Long Zorro...

I've only had to do it a couple of times in my life, but early this morning the boy and I dug a grave.   His goat Zorro didn't make it through the night.   We gave him all the medicine we could. We made a cozy, dry place in the shelter with the chickens while the rain poured, we kept a charcoal fire burning to keep him warm, and with Logan's best showering towel we swaddled him.  
Dr. Paul, a missionary vet who is a friend, came and even gave him an IV and an injection.  The girl goat, Oreo, cuddled with him all night while he rested his head on her shoulder, but in the end it just wasn't enough. 

Two Haitians that we've prayed would come to know the Lord came out to help us dig.  I'm not sure they appreciated why we would talk about a goat so lovingly, or pray over him with a small family funeral, or even bury him, but we trust the Lord will somehow use this experience.   The Haitians certainly understand the economical impact of losing a goat.  Here it can carry grave consequences, and it would be similar to losing your wages for a month or two.   It could mean the family can't afford for a child to attend the next school year.  

My boy's reflection is how I will remember him..."He's with God now, eating the very best shrubs."   I think that's quite fitting.  Zorro is keeping God's grass down out by the gates of Heaven.   We'll try our best to look after Oreo for him in the mean time.