Luke 24:13-32
This is Jesus heartburn(I have to credit Dallas Willard for this term!)...31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Monday, August 8, 2011

Today, I was harshly reminded of where I live. Children die
everyday…all over the world. In America, in England, and in Sierra
Leone; there is something different here, in Africa.


The news tells of THOUSANDS dying just east of here because of
famine, war, and injustice. And here, on the West Coast, children die
from things like malaria and typhoid…preventable and treatable, and
that most of us from the developed world take a pill or a shot for and
don't have to worry. Here children die from diarrhea and
malnourishment and COLDS. And it doesn't matter if it's a mother's
first child that she has waited and prayed for for years or the 13th
child of a father who has struggled to feed his children for
decades…IT HURTS.


Today I heard about a young mother of 2, who on Sunday went to church
and stayed afterwards to pray and fellowship and then she was gone.
Tomorrow I will call and find out if those children have a place to
go…if those babies have an aunty or a granny who will care for them
now. And if they are alone in this world? What will we do? The waiting
list is long and the needs are so great.

Today I went to the home of a man who has become a dear friend; one
whom I admire for his sacrifice to serve the children of his country.
In him I know the meaning of incarnational ministry…that "thing" that
they were always teaching us to strive for in Bible College—to be
Jesus…to "pitch a tent in the neighborhood" and live out the Gospel.
With his life He declares that Jesus loves the little children. This
man I have watched shed tears of sorrow over a home empty of children
and a longing to fill it; and then watched cry tears of JOY when God
blessed him with a son. A little boy, perfect in every way. And now,
just a few weeks later, before they even had time to hang pictures on
the wall, I heard him LAMENT and weep because that little blessing has
gone to live with his Heavenly Father.


And so we weep together, recognizing that we are not alone; that
David, Job, and Jesus—among many others—wept and lamented over the
suffering and the pain in this world. We weep and we pray—that God
would restore families; provide shelter, food and medicine for the
children and mothers and fathers of Sierra Leone; send to Africa the
things that we so take for granted…treatment for disease and doctors
who understand and food that brings life and strength; fill this house
and others like it with the laughter of children and bring back their
joy.

This from the Lord this morning...


"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my
steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace
shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
Isaiah 54:10

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their
souls to a FAITHFUL Creator while doing good….And after you have
suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to
his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm,
strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 4:19 & 5:10

This from Him this night...
http://www.aholyexperience.com/


--
Cari Logan
adventuresinlistening.blogspot.com
therainingseason.org

Thursday, August 4, 2011

25 things that have happened since I last wrote…

1.       I learned that if you smash a millipede/bug “you go piss”…from a 4 year old.

2.       I piled 10 pre-teen boys in my car for a ride from here to the center…I don’t think there has EVER been that much joy in one place…they declared that it was their 3rd blessing from Jesus of the day. WOW!

3.       Sometimes having a whole group of men come to try to help you when your car doesn’t start is NOT helpful at all.

4.       I rediscovered that I don’t like being told how to drive.

5.       I LOVE fresh mango juice from Montana Garden.

6.       I’m going to miss Joseph’s birthday…and he already knows itL

7.       Mice don’t go away if you ignore them.

8.       Everyone has left the guest house…it is officially me and the security guard!

9.       Pinterest…I found it and I love it.

10.   I’m terrified of going home because I will be starting over in so many ways…I’ve been looking up versed for the kids about being strong and courageous and without fear…maybe they are really for me.

11.   I cannot go to the market without buying something…it’s as bad as Target.

12.  I lost the exhaust on the side of the road 2x but I learned don’t worry, just pick it up and put it in the boot…or let someone else do it for youJ

13.   I found out that the 2nd time climbing the hill is much harder than the sixth.

14.   I sat on the beach and got a tan; which was great until I realized that I’d have a really strange tan line…but I can fix that by sitting on the beach again!

15.   2 snakes were spotted in the compound…one is dead (THANK YOU KELVIN) and the other is hopefully hiding far, far away.

16.   Pasta, potato, hotdogs and mayo do not really make a good cold salad…probably not warm either…but eating it for my hostess made her feel wonderful and that’s all that matters. (when she tries to open her own restaurant I’ll let her know she might not want to use that recipe again)

17.   I’m losing ground on being grateful. Time to focus on that list again.

18.   The rainy season is to blame for EVERYTHING in July and August. (the toilet doesn’t flush?…blame the rainy season!…the car doesn’t start?...it’s the rainy season!...no chocolate at the supermarket?...oh, the rain!...termites in the ceiling?...the RAIN!)

19.   I was reminded that a broken heart is not easily mended…but it can be restored.

20.   We discovered Crown Bakery Xpress…on this side of Freetown…and with it comes Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad! YUM!

21.   I received a gift of a handmade rag rug from a sweet, sweet girl and I will treasure it FOREVER.

22.   I drove to Kissy! Through the middle of the craziness of downtown Freetown and the car made it over the worst road I have ever driven on.

23.   I got new sunglasses…2 pairs…for $2 each! Bonus!

24.   I was called Aunty Cari ½ a million times and it never gets old.

25.   Grace.