Wednesday
Nov262008
The intimacy of Justice...
Posted on 
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 7:14AM
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 7:14AM 
Greetings, my dear friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome!
I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on this blog. So leave a comment, share a story, and just maybe you'll win a treat!
Now on to my topic...
First of all, thank you to so many of you who offered to pray for us while we were in Guatemala last week.
Let me tell you, it was a life-changing event. And I felt your prayers more than I can even explain.
Though there were countless opportunities for danger to present itself, God kept us hidden in the shadow of His wing. And yet, at the same time, He exposed us to the vast needs of humanity. We were with a team of donors and the IJM staff in Guatemala and we received an inside look at this heroic organization.
Wet met with government officials and saw firsthand the mutual respect and cooperation between the Guatemalan government and the folks at IJM. Because of the tireless, consistent, heroic, and excellent work of investigators, lawyers, social workers, and interns, children have been rescued, families have been set on the path of recovery, and the societal structure has been strengthened as a result. In that meeting with high ranking officials, we saw the power of IJM's influence.
The next day we visited an incredible children's home which was tucked in the mountains where approximately 40 young girls live because they've been rescued from horrific situations. We watched as two of the IJM staffers put on a skit that included ten of the girls. The other 30 sat on the concrete ground and giggled and whispered to each other, much like you'd see on a playground at recess time. The IJM investigator joined us on our 'field trip.' This man risks his life on a regular basis. He is savvy in the habits of bullies and oppressors. And he is also a gentle man of God who loves his family. I watched him hand out Cinderella gift bags to this group of orphaned girls and smile at every one them. He understood there might be trust issues so he was notably careful, but abundantly kind. Watching this man, knowing how he puts his life on the line day after day, and then seeing him with these children, brought tears to my eyes. I just know that's what Jesus was like. That's what He is like. Tough against the ones who abuse their power, and tender with those who need an advocate.
Our day at the children's home connected us in a very deep way to the tender heart of God.We brought treats, played games, kissed the tops of their heads, and ran around with them. It was a glorious time. As we rode away on our little bus, my husband whispered to me, "Yesterday we saw IJM's influence at a very high level. Today we got to see their impact in a very tangible way."
On our final day, we had breakfast at a client's house. The little girl who lived there had received justice through the work of IJM. Her perpetrator was sent to prison and her little family was beginning to heal. This was a poor family and we were so honored to be in her home. Through a translator, and through her tears, the mother thanked us profoundly for securing justice for her daughter because now she feels safe again.
Forgive the alliteration please, but leaving this incredible home Kevin and I determined that we had just experienced the intimacy of justice. Though this family owned little, there was peace in the home. You could see the trust and the genuine affection between this family and the IJM social workers. Spending time in this tiny little home, playing with the children, praying for the family, witnessing the tears and gratitude, showed me once again, the incredible heart of God.
He reigns and works in the hearts of great leaders and governments.
And He resides in the nooks and crannies of life. He knows where the poor live and He loves them.
As Gary Haugen wrote in his book, Just Courage:
"We have a God of moral clarity. God does not respond to injustice or abuse with mild interest."
And Deitrich Boenhoeffer wrote this:
The Church is her true self only when she exists for humanity.
Just as the human body was made to engage in strenuous exercise to be made stronger and more efficient, the Believer is called to engage in work that calls her beyond the borders of what she naturally cares about, to tend to those who'd be much easier to ignore.
It's easy not to exercise. Not very many people love the idea of getting in the car, getting to the health club, and pushing the heart rate up to the point of gasping for breath (okay, that means your heart rate is too high, but you get the point). Most people don't want to lift weights that make them strain and sweat and feel sore the next day. But millions engage their bodies in this way because they know they were made for it. And the fruit of the workout pays them back in dividends: higher energy, better outlook, stronger frame, less extra weight.
Well, as easy as it is to neglect our body's God-given assignment to engage itself in movement, it's easier still, in this abundantly wealthy country, not to engage in nor pay attention to the suffering world around us. But we must.
We have to make ourselves 'go there.' We have to carry a portion of God's burden in this world. Not the whole thing. That would crush us. But part of it.
And this is not an 'ought to' or a 'should do', it's a 'get to.'
This past week I interviewed Sara Groves and Susan Andringa on Along the Way (a two hour talk radio show). Sara said something amazing, "Part of maturing is knowing the difference between guilt (which is not from God), and conviction. My journey is going to be different from yours. I'm just following the bread crumbs God gives me into this world of advocacy. You have to ask yourself, 'What is God asking me to do? And then do that. We must act on our own conviction." (*That's my paraphrase of what she said. If you'd like to listen to the interview, go to the following podcast link:)
This may seem like an odd post for the day before Thanksgiving. I know things are crazy in our world right now, but God is still very much on His throne and He calls us to join Him in His work. We have our own needs, yes. But when we seek first, His Kingdom, He'll have our backs. He provide for our needs. And we'll have the honor and privilege of engaging in life - of being the hands and feet of Christ - and of seeing the fruit and a close up look at God's heart for justice. Now that's living.
A side note: Recently, IJM received a 'match' offer on any donations made before the first week of December; those monies will be doubled. More funds equals more rescues.
No pressure though. Give what God has determined in your heart that you should give. (follow IJM link above if interested).
Thanks again for praying and for asking about this trip. I hope you enjoyed the update. :)
Have a blessed and thank-filled Thanksgiving holiday!
Peace to you all~
Reader Comments (3)
I pray the profoundness of God's heart and hands at work will remain with you long into the coming months. May you rest knowing God is so big he cares for the weakest of us in our most desperate times of need yet fulfills us in our day-to-day.
Blessings to you and your family.
I would have had to be held down to keep me from calling the radio show... I somehow got caught up in making pies or something and missed it.
I would have hidden in your luggage on your trip had I known that you were going with IJM...
(Maybe there is an Africa trip in our future... I hope...)
I am so thankful that my YOU, and my SUSAN, and my SARA are my Justice Warrior sisters.
Thank you, Thank you!
I will be praying for your rest and relaxation time coming up.You're such a blessing!Rebecca