So you know how in cartoons when there is a real scraggily
dog going bizerk as no matter how hard he tries he cant keep up with the rounds
of itching and scratching inflicted upon him by an army of merciless flees...
and he just cant seem to win? This week marks my first encounter with those
jumpy pesks in my bed and no joke they leap just as high and spazzy as in the
movies! And just guess what my African sisters recommendation for my new little
collection of nasty bites was…Colgate toothpaste?!
As you may have noticed from a few of the somewhat cryptic
details of the last post about my new ‘niece’ is that it’s a tricky thing
conveying just how incredible it is to witness the amazing ways God continues
to brings girls here in these last fews weeks, while trying to maintain a strict
standard of privacy for securities sake. Be rest assured every last prayer once
again has been put into full gear as already miraculous stories of physical,
emotional and spiritual freedom have already surfaced in this short time since
the crisis center has been opened.
I mentioned we are very much in need of four full time
house mothers as now our small team is working around the clock to fill in the gap,
and indeed we are tired, but above all, are overwhelmed with the marked
presence of our Healer in our house as He is restoring these survivors right before
our eyes. There have been endless evenings of sharing, perpetual tears, brand
new prayers out of the mouths of brand new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17),
and profound forgiveness birthed through fresh experiences of grace as we daily
open the Word together around our sunny, polka dotted, breakfast table.
I am experiencing the deepest reality of the power of Jesus
in my life yet. I have never first hand heard stories more disgustingly evil
and witnessed the most opposite change the love of God can bring. The picture
that keeps coming to mind as I watch Him gently but powerfully mend these
hearts is the last part of Psalm 23 when David speaks of God preparing a feast
for us in the very presence of our enemies…He enables us to dine in complete
peace and even enjoyment at his bountiful table as we trust him to be our
shield, our confidence our deepest contentment, oblivious to the darkness that
preys upon us. He alone can make us whole again.
When faced with these kind of physical life and death
matters, living as if all we can see is all there is, is not an option or my
hope would be lost by now. It feels like finding faith is a lot easier here
then at home sometimes, when its more rare to experience these extreme
circumstances where I am in dyer need of Someone beyond me. But the reality is
we all are spiritual beings whom Christ is working to awaken from the dead and
step into a life where he is just as obviously alive within us. I have not scratched
the surface of who this majestically humble, mysteriously joyful King is. Ive
been looking in the mirror with wider eyes these days, as Im around people
reminding me of who I really am as a child of God. That instead of just plain
old nice Charlene, there is a woman of high calling, of royal descent, a ruler
with Christ (Rev 5:10) on earth as it is in heaven, who God is able to do far
more in than I could ask or think, according to HIS power at work within me
(Eph 3:20). What if this crazy Christian story is not crazy but completely true
for me and the girls at our house and for you?
Do me a favour so I feel a little less insane, and take a
good look in the mirror next time, past what you think you see, asking Jesus to
tell you what is apparently so obvious to Him please? I would love to get hear
your report.
Hold fast for He is able.
