Break Our Hearts

I've been wanting to share about what broke my heart on the last day of our trip in Peru, but I haven't yet found the words. 

For some people in third world countries, the poverty is so great that even the small children must work to just provide food. In Manaugua, Nicaragua there are young kids performing acrobatic acts and juggling or cleaning windshields in the middle of 8 lanes of traffic in hope you'll drop them a little change. In Lima, Peru we are told children are given a box of candy or trinkets and are not allowed to come home until it is all sold. We were briskly walking through the streets when we passed a cardboard box with fruit and candy. Behind it was a pile of something. Inside was a tiny child the size of our 3 year old but obviously much older. She looked sick and had flies on her face. 

I've seen the faces of Compassion International children on tv. 

I've seen them in person, but this little girl...My heart broke. 

I couldn't pick her up or even give her a drink...I felt helpless so I just kept walking. We tried to go back and put money in her box but she was gone. My husband, TJ, wrote this in a devotion to the volunteers at church and it gives me hope and direction for what God is asking us to do next. 

 

"Nehemiah 1:4 – Break our Hearts Lord

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days…”

                In their song Hosanna, Hillsong United (and our praise team) invite us to sing to God to break our hearts for what breaks His.  When we sing the words “break our hearts for what breaks yours” I often wonder if we realize what we are asking.  Our hearts breaking isn’t just an emotion that we show, nor is it seeing the need in a situation and simply acknowledging it.  It’s all these things and then doing something about it. It’s bringing joy into a situation that is less than enjoyable.  The word Hosanna itself means joy, adoration, and praise.  When our hearts break for something we as Christians are called to bring Christ into the situation, therefore that is where the joy comes from!  Our hearts breaking for what breaks His means that we have, “put on a mind that is in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) and seek to follow the Holy Spirit in bringing Joy (Christ) to the world.

  I love the book of Nehemiah, for many reasons, but primarily because Nehemiah saw something that broke the heart of God and he did something about it.  He gives us an example of what happens when our heart breaks for the things of God and then decide to follow Him and not our plans.  The book begins with Nehemiah, who is the cup bearer to King Artexerxes, being given a report from Jerusalem.  Jerusalem was in shambles and was being persecuted by neighboring towns.  This was the worse news as a Jewish man he could have received, period.  It broke His heart not simply because the town was in shambles but because this was supposed to be God’s dwelling place, a city that was holy unto Yahweh. Quite simply Nehemiah’s heart broke because God’s heart was broken.  But here is what I love about Nehemiah; he didn’t just get mad, he didn’t proclaim how much needed to be done and form an action plan, he “sat down, wept, and mourned.”  Why? Because he knew the heart of Yahweh was broken for this very same thing!

What breaks your heart? Is there anything that God is asking you to see with His eyes?  While in Peru on the streets of Lima we encountered a young girl about four or five years old who was covered with newspaper asleep on the steps of a building.  She had no mom or dad who tucked her into a nice warm bed, she had no pillow, she didn’t have money to buy food, and there was nothing that could be done that day that would prevent the same situation the next day.  It opened my eyes to the same things here.  What breaks your heart?  What causes you to mourn for days? 

 I invite you to pray this with me today, Break our hearts for what breaks yours God, show us the things that we should mourn on and let’s see where the Lord leads us."

T.J.

Jesus in the Toilet?

Before heading on my first mission trip, I received a friend request on Facebook from a man that I was a little leery of becoming friends with. He had a Spanish name and lived in another country. I noticed we had mutual friends and then realized he was a pastor who helps lead the mission teams and now I know pretty much does it all in Nicaragua. 

Pastor Carlos posted some pictures that didn't make much sense to me. There was a toilet (concrete hole) and every person in this community, I mean every person had their picture made with it...the one toilet.  I didn't understand why until I stood in that place, until I realized there was no where to "go," until while playing with some kids I stepped in a little ditch with murky blue water running through it, until I went to the kitchen sink that didn't drain to get a bucket of water to fill up the back of a broken toilet behind a blanket at a restaurant. It was windy that day...and like all the restaurants it was outside...enough said. 

Now, I look at that latrine and I know why they had their picture made with it. Because now the little ones don't have to go into the field at night and people have their dignity. Now their well water will be cleaner and their babies won't be so sick and they can breathe a little easier. 

I look at these people who rejoice that God provides and I almost feel ashamed because I have 3 toilets in 1 house. The entire village could live with us...really.

I feel angry and ask why does God give to some and not others? 

And I remember His love. I don't know who built that latrine...maybe a missionary team maybe Carlos' brother Thomas. God's love is right there in that latrine. He could've just opened the heavens and poured out money, but instead someone sweated and toiled and sacrificed and built a toilet. The people of Brisas saw them working day in and out, saw that someone cares, saw that the Father cares for His children. 

As Christmas approaches, I realize that God could have just saved me, opened up the heavens and said "Hey, you're forgiven." He cares too much for that. He came to earth, to breathe the same air I do, to feel the pain I feel, to eat the same foods, and to probably even use the bathroom in the bush. He bore my sin, carried my mess, and suffered for it, I mean really suffered...because He loves ME and YOU. How much mercy this precious little babe would bring! 

I think of you...

With every drop of clean water,

I think of you.

With every dish I wash,

I think of you.

With every drop of medicine,

I think of you.

With every cry of my little ones, with every smile,

I think if you.

With every game we play,

I think of you.

Every time I lay my head down on my pillow,

I think of you.

I came home from Nicaragua thinking "God, how could you leave my friends, your people, in that place and put me in this place? They love You so easily, and I doubt You every time I don't get my way." I have finally decided that I don't have to know what God is doing, but I know who He is. Psalm 116 says He is gracious and righteous and full of compassion. I felt like I loved these people so much after only a week. How much more does our Heavenly Father love them? He has known them since the beginning of time. I know he is faithful to care for ALL His people and somehow they know it too.