Saturday, August 12, 2006

Local Response continued. . .

Responding to the problems of the community can be burdensome at times. Families torn apart in so many ways, its hard to comprehend or even understand. Imagine being left single by your mate who decided to leave this world early because life was too complicated. Left behind with four children ages 4 to 12. Left behind with borrowed electricity, unpaid rent, unemployed and no prospects of life getting better. I took her a box of food and made offers for the congregation to help her. I prayed with her and have cried with her, hoping that she can catch a glimpse of the Jesus I know. Two nights and a day left on this tour of on-call duty. Pray that we can take Jesus with us when we get called.
Two funerals in two days . . . One for a great woman of faith who was nearly eighty and one for a baby who never breathed his first breath. One we were able to shout praises of victory of a life well lived, the other we just stood there wondering. Wondering why it had to happen this way for this couple, who now have an empty nursery and empty dreams left of son they will never know. I stand amazed in the presence of God for He is Good and Holy and Just. He is my deliverer and my rock and my fortress. Tonight I will lay my head on His bosom and ask Him to console these families and me.

My good friend and minstry partner Walter Leonard is in the hospital tonight with some sort of neurological problem. Stroke, maybe? We will know more on Monday when all the tests finally are in and judged by the doctors. Pray for him.