Mission of Mercy
Isaiah 32:2 (New International Version)
2 Each man will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
The weather is nasty and the roads are dangerous tonight. I hear the wind against the skylights in my loft room, and it is comforting to be at home.
Downstairs a Christmas tree stands twinkling with coloured lights in our large hallway. It is hung with all manner of glass balls, an assortment of ornaments, and little stuffed animals clad in scarves and hats.
Our Burston grandchildren came for a family dinner after church yesterday, and they stared in wonder at the tree, as it was the first time they were seeing it this year. They circled it, studying all of the ornaments and it was fun watching them. Emily, who is experiencing only the second Christmas of her life, had fun taking things off the tree, and the angel fell from the top at least three times.
But amid the family time, my heart and thoughts wandered often, to the far north of Ontario, and a First Nations reserve, where the comforts of home that we take for granted are unknown and the conditions are those of a third world country, right within north America.
On Friday morning, Paul set out, driving a 20 foot truck, on a 22 hour journey north. He and two other men left on a mission of mercy to the First Nations community in Mishkeegogamong, the same reserve that Susan, one of our blog team members went to this past summer. His traveling companions are David Parke—our pastor, and Fernando Marshall, a tall, skeptical, ex policeman from Barbados, who doesn’t attend church and is not a believer, but who wanted to be part of this trip from the moment he heard of it being planned.
Being engaged in God’s agenda is an exciting thing. As people heard of this trip, clothes, sports equipment, skates, a computer, cleaning and personal supplies and food started pouring in.
Though the need is great, Paul’s God given vision is to start by making a difference to one community; to give a people dignity and the knowledge that they are valued.
Tonight they called on their way back. They were in Thunder Bay and didn’t sound like they planned on stopping driving anytime soon. I am praying for the truck to be surrounded by angels on the journey home. I’m also praying that Fernando falls in love with the God who loves all of the people of this earth.
A refuge for the poor, a shelter from the storm
This is our God
He will wipe away your tears and return your wasted years
This is our God
A father to the orphan,
a healer to the broken
This is our God
And he brings peace to our madness and comfort in our sadness
This is our God
Chris Tomlin – From This Is Our God
2 Each man will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
The weather is nasty and the roads are dangerous tonight. I hear the wind against the skylights in my loft room, and it is comforting to be at home.
Downstairs a Christmas tree stands twinkling with coloured lights in our large hallway. It is hung with all manner of glass balls, an assortment of ornaments, and little stuffed animals clad in scarves and hats.
Our Burston grandchildren came for a family dinner after church yesterday, and they stared in wonder at the tree, as it was the first time they were seeing it this year. They circled it, studying all of the ornaments and it was fun watching them. Emily, who is experiencing only the second Christmas of her life, had fun taking things off the tree, and the angel fell from the top at least three times.
But amid the family time, my heart and thoughts wandered often, to the far north of Ontario, and a First Nations reserve, where the comforts of home that we take for granted are unknown and the conditions are those of a third world country, right within north America.
On Friday morning, Paul set out, driving a 20 foot truck, on a 22 hour journey north. He and two other men left on a mission of mercy to the First Nations community in Mishkeegogamong, the same reserve that Susan, one of our blog team members went to this past summer. His traveling companions are David Parke—our pastor, and Fernando Marshall, a tall, skeptical, ex policeman from Barbados, who doesn’t attend church and is not a believer, but who wanted to be part of this trip from the moment he heard of it being planned.
Being engaged in God’s agenda is an exciting thing. As people heard of this trip, clothes, sports equipment, skates, a computer, cleaning and personal supplies and food started pouring in.
Though the need is great, Paul’s God given vision is to start by making a difference to one community; to give a people dignity and the knowledge that they are valued.
Tonight they called on their way back. They were in Thunder Bay and didn’t sound like they planned on stopping driving anytime soon. I am praying for the truck to be surrounded by angels on the journey home. I’m also praying that Fernando falls in love with the God who loves all of the people of this earth.
A refuge for the poor, a shelter from the storm
This is our God
He will wipe away your tears and return your wasted years
This is our God
A father to the orphan,
a healer to the broken
This is our God
And he brings peace to our madness and comfort in our sadness
This is our God
Chris Tomlin – From This Is Our God
Comments
Last night Joyful took us to Africa and tonight you turned our hearts toward "the end of the highway" in Northern Ontario.
I wonder where we'll be tomorrow night?
Thanks for your prayers Dave. I can't wait to hear their stories.
Please post what you can about their trip, we're looking forward to hearing,
Deborah