By the River

Somehow, God just seems to speak to me by rivers. This weekend, the whole children at risk school went to the YWAM Bogota annual retreat. We had a wonderful time together, getting to know other YWAMers, and enjoying the conferences, pool, and river. I wrote this while I was sitting on a rock in the middle of the river.

Today, I nearly cried I was so happy, overwhelmed by God's glory and majesty. The river here is surrounded by life, abundant life. There's a profusion of green. Plants grow on plants grow on plants. One tree is home to more species than I can count. A giant stand of bamboo leans from the far bank. Next to me, an enormous tree has growing in its branches the largest bromeliad I've ever seen. Vines hang down, nearly obscuring its trunk. And the river. It roars. Its power makes me realize this is no river to play in. Moss covered boulders strew its path.

I couldn't imagine a more perfect spot, and my heart is overwhelmed with love for the one who made it. But, as my love for him rises up in praise, I'm gripped with an even stronger realization of his love for me. This God, who made me so happy today with his riotous, wild, stunning creation, loves me. Not in a general "God loves everyone" way. No. He loves me personally. He knows how much I love this place. He made me so I would love it in the first place. He knew I would see this place as a physical expression of his love for me.

The breathtaking beauty of this place, of a thousand plants orchestrated with water, rocks, and land makes me sure of another thing. God can handle my one miniscule life. My difficulties and confusion are nothing to him. He can bring life out of my life, and make it a profusion of living, vibrant life that brings glory to his name.

Children at Risk School

We're half way through the third week of the Children at Risk school. We're learning about family interactions, normal and abnormal childhood development, and the biblical basis of working with at-risk kids among other things. At least, that's what we're learning in class.

Outside of class, I've been learning about God's grace, and how hard it can be for me to accept it. I've been learning that the control I thought I had over my life and my emotions was really just an illusion. I've also been learning that I don't want to need other people in my life, but that God didn't make his people to operate in isolation.

I've also been reading a lot. We have to do 8 book reports during the school, and while I spent a week at the farm last week, I had a lot of free time on my hands. So since the school started, I have read Too Small to Ignore (by Wes Stafford of Compassion International), Street Children: a handbook for ministry, The Shack, The Five Love Languages, and Healing Grace. I think next up is Aman, the memoir of a Somali girl.