I was recently listening to a radio broadcast, as I drove around town.  The host described the need that exists in each of us---to be genuinely loved and to love others.  We were created to both give and receive care.  Our souls house an innate desire to give ourselves to God first, and then to others.  That's the way it's supposed to work.  But, so many things can stand in the way of that happening.  

As many of you already know, this holiday break was a big transition for the students of His Chase, as they said goodbye to their former life, at Noel Orphanage, and began a new phase in a variety of home situations.  Noel was officially closed by the government of Rwanda on December 31, 2014.  Some students are now with extended family.  Some live independently.  And, all have been stronger and braver than they thought they could be, as they face big transitions and change.

We are so proud of them, and are thrilled that this weekend, we get to welcome them back to school for another great year!

These are the hard days.

 

I have no doubt that your Facebook feed looks like mine has over recent months:  a never ending stream of reports, articles, and opinions highlighting this broken world. News reels are filled with stories of division, suffering, and violence that separate groups of people by race, religion, or status.  We have certainly prayed like never before for Jesus to return and reign in victory over the chaos.

In the midst of such sorrow and conflict in this world, it's easy to get overwhelmed.  Just last week, I read multiple articles about the bloodshed of innocent children, the destruction of entire cities, and the rampant spread of hatred and violence in lands far away and, at the same time, very close to home.

And, as we each consider the question, "What do we do in the face of times like these?", it is difficult to know the answer.  There isn't one clear answer. But, I know we MUST be doing something...and to pretend that it is not our responsibility is unacceptable.

So, something inside has pushed me forward to write my thoughts down.  And, here I am, asking the question.

This week, what if we really lived like we believe that LOVE HAS NO LIMITS?

"Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen."  (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)

There are many wonderful gifts I've received in my lifetime.  The perfect hand-sewn dress from my mother.  Fingerprint painted pots from my kids.  Handwritten cards from my husband.

But, for so many reasons, this gift is among the most priceless I've ever received.