Hungry children.
Horrible living conditions.
Dead dogs. Everywhere.
To be honest, sometimes seeing these things over and over again can leave us numb and emotionless to the hurt and suffering around us. I've found my self praying for the Lord to soften my hardened heart.
As I've prayed, my eyes have been opened to marriages fighting to survive, women struggling to provide for the children she raises alone, children just begging to be children. A lot of the hurt I've seen is in those who should still be playing with Barbies and video games... except most are walking the beaches and streets selling homemade coconut lollipops, fried bread or simply begging.
Sometimes they become just another annoying person interrupting your nap, standing in your sunlight or getting in your way.
But when you look in to their eyes...
The other day Robersy and I were arriving home when we saw a group of boys standing at an "abandoned" housing area beside our apartment. Several people and stray dogs live behind the broken gate.
In front of the gate is a dip where water gathers whenever it rains. Of course, the puddle doesn't ever stay clean long. With all the people walking in and out, motorcycles driving in and out, the stray dogs rolling their diseased bodies in the cool water, the group of goats that live near by enjoying the fresh fallen rain, the chickens, the pigs, etc. Before long the water is FILTHY!!!
This particular day was following the hurricane that passed by so the puddle was bigger and dirtier than usual.
As we stared out the window to see what had captured the attention of the boys.
My heart broke.
A thin, teenage boy, up to his knees in the puddle, scooped the water to his mouth over and over again. He was SO thirsty. Desperate for something to quench his thirst.
Robersy ran upstairs to grab some clean water for him to drink... only to see the boy had left. His thirst quenched for a moment with the disgusting water. I dread to think of the consequences that followed.
The image has been ingrained in my mind for the last few weeks, which is why I knew I just needed to share. Only - in my minds eye, the boy looks like you and me.
We are SO desperate for satisfaction, pleasure, happiness, hope, peace... that we grasp at whatever we can to feel full, even just for a moment.
Only to be left empty and broken again.
This past week I had the privilege of participating in a women's conference that took this message out to the women of the Dominican Republic.
Nothing will quench your thirst, besides Jesus!
Nothing will fill that emptiness, besides Jesus!
Nothing will satisfy you, besides Jesus!!!
You can try. But you will end up trying your entire life.
Sadly, we have not seen the boy since that day but be assured we are ready with bottles of clean water... and the precious message of the Jesus Christ :)
This next week our church is heading out to Haiti with physical and spiritual help for those who are suffering. Unfortunately Robersy and I are not able to go because of a conference and other commitments made before hand, but please be praying for them!
And my kid is awake... ahhh... so until next week!!! GOD BLESS!!!
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