"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12.1-3

in the fall, we were two miserable students sitting in anthropology class attempting to occupy the lecture time with anything but what the professor wanted to say so, we began reading a blog. it's the story of libby ryder and her battle against cancer. since september, God has used libby's story to awaken in us a realization of the story he has written for our own lives. libby has shown us what it means to set our eyes on Jesus and run, with reckless abandonment, into the arms of the Father. libby's friend angie has decided to run a half marathon in celebration of the end of libby's chemo and, lord willing, her cancer. following libby's example, we are joining in the celebration. we. are. not. runners. we are scared. we are full of doubts. but, we are inspired. the past year has been full of triumphs and tribulations for us, too. this is a physical representation of us throwing off everything that has hindered and entangled- pain, heartache, doubt, shame- and running to Jesus and basking in his grace. this run is for libby. this run if for freedom. our only hope is that He will be glorified.

"Let us hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have broken rejoice!" Psalm 51.8

Monday, March 21, 2011

settled.

our lives have finally slowed down since we got back from Haiti. we were able to run last week a little but we will officially start back on schedule today. my body is settled and going through the motions of everyday life in raleigh but my heart and mind are still wrestling with what the Lord is teaching me through our trip to Haiti.

i could say it was life-changing, and that would be true but it wouldn't do it justice. i really had no idea what to expect when we arrived in port au prince. i'm glad i had no expectations. without them, i was able to take in everything that was going on around me without any preconceived notions about what "should be". i could go through where we were and when we traveled and the tasks we did but that wouldn't cover it.

what we did, really, was assist Haitian YL leaders in building relationships with people in the communities where they do ministry. we loved kids, teenagers, YL leaders, and older people in the community. they knew we were with young life and so when we left, the hope is that they would continue to go to YL. kids would be outside of our house calling our names or saying "hey YOU" in order for us to come and play from the time we woke up to when we went to sleep. they loved us and we loved loving them. one thing that was hard was when they would ask us for stuff. literally, every single item we were wearing. that was a struggle. we wanted to be able to give them everything but we couldn't (we needed clothes to wear) but more importantly- giving them "things" was not going to last. it wouldn't satisfy them. i was reminded that material things are simply the glitter of this world but gold is found in Jesus. i was comforted by Jesus' words as he is praying for his disciples before he dies in Luke 17,

'My prayer is not that you would take them out of this world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth.' 
(vv. 15-17)

taking all of the beautiful Haitian children that we fell in love with and bringing them to America and buying them things would not save them. feeding them and clothing them is imperative but even that will not save them. Jesus is the bread of life, only his Gospel can give them hope and save them. poverty in Haiti is cyclic, and it seems hopeless. even feeding 300 kids, like we had the chance to do, praise the Lord, was not enough, as there were people that we weren't able to feed. my prayer for Haiti is that the Lord will rise up more native leaders to minister to those who are without. not without things, but without Jesus. father, protect them from the evil one.

if i had nothing, like so many in Haiti, would i still have the hope of Jesus? in America, we have so many things that numb us to the aching in our souls for something greater. we are blinded to our need for salvation and our desire for real joy that is only found in relationship with Jesus. my need for him now seems greater because there are so many things in my life that can distract me from truth. i want my soul to be awakened to the pure joy that is found in Christ not because he can give me things and bless me but because he is simply, lovely. 

even though they were living in slums, hungry, and half-naked, the kids in Haiti could still smile. they still had joy in the midst of severe poverty. i am clinging to the hope that is behind those smiles because that is something not of this world- mine or theirs.

please pray for Haiti. for people to hear the good news of Jesus. for those in ministry to be kept safe. for those who are hungry to be fed. for kids to be able to go to school. for the cycle of poverty to be broken. 

there will be a day when pain will be washed away, hunger will be no more, and suffering will cease. oh what a glorious day that will be.
Julia
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1 comment:

  1. courtsimmsMarch 21, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    seriously, this blew me away. :)

    always praying for you and hannah && YL in general. im encouraged daily by your faith. thanks for sharing such wise truths that the Lord has brought to your heart. love ya! keep running!

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