Sensory Overload

As I sit here, trying to think of something grossly profound to type, I can't think of anything. My body is exhausted. My senses are at capacity from my experiences in Barranquilla. It's a strange place. Nothing is familiar. The music is foreign. The climate is hot. As I look out the window on the bus rides, my eyes and heart soak up the realities of an oppressed region of an oppressed country. Sewage in the streets. Barefoot children walking in trash heaps. Street dogs that look like skeletons. Wrinkled and broken faces stare at us and scream the story of the difficult life lived in this area. As a sensitive person, I quickly reach the threshold of my capacity. It breaks my heart to see the hopelessness of thousands as we walk through the streets. I have been to Colombia before, and have grown to love the people who live here and the culture that they hold so close to their hearts. Their smiles are genuine and warm. Their greetings are loving and sincere. This all makes it more difficult to catch yet another glimpse of their reality. 

After working alongside the locals in the park this morning, we took the opportunity to go through the neighborhood and share the gospel with families and people in the community. My translator and I sat with a woman and spoke with her for about 20 minutes. Her story was difficult and her situation was desperate. She was hopeless and in the burden of her situation was heavy. She prayed with us to receive Christ. We spent time with her and prayed further for the specifics of her situation. When we left, I got alone and prayed, "God, I often sing and pray for you to break my heart for what breaks yours, but I'm not sure I can handle even an fraction of the burden that you feel for your people." So often I pray with great intentions and a heart/mind that really desires for my prayers to be answered. As sincere as my intentions are, I realize that I cannot handle the burden and weight of hopelessness. I can't take what God takes. My heart cannot handle the burdens that God bares for each of us. I can't take what breaks God's heart. Even catching an inkling of that hurt today reminds me of my need for God. 

While my perception of the situation of the people of Colombia is that they are hopeless, I am constantly encouraged by them. As I hear them pray, and watch them share the gospel with the lost, I am encouraged, and God fills my heart with appreciation.  I am reminded of what I should be thankful for. They are resourceful people who are grateful for community and family. The Christians in this country are thankful for the things that matter. They are thankful for salvation. They are thankful for God's word, the Bible. They are thankful for the Holy Spirit. They are thankful for the strength, peace, joy, and love that is given by the Holy Spirit. They are thankful for the opportunity that they have been given to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with their communities. They are thankful for the opportunity to participate in the great commission. 

On the surface, Barranquilla looks desperate and hopeless. The reality is quite the contrary. There is hope in this area, and it is beginning to spread through the streets of the city and neighborhoods. The Christians in Barranquilla love Jesus, and they love their communities. They are beginning to work together to reach their communities with the good news that God cares for them, He can bare their burdens, and he sent his Son to die for their sins and hopelessness. Without Christ, we are all hopeless. No matter the level of our bank accounts, or the neighborhoods that we live in. No matter what car we drive. No matter what our retirement portfolio looks like. No matter how many comforts we are so very fortunate to steward. Without Christ, we have no hope. 

My prayer for the Barranquillos is that God would release the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of who He is to the believers in this area, and that they would know the love of Jesus in an experiential way. That the Holy Spirit would flood the streets and homes of these neighborhoods, just like the water that floods those same streets and homes in the rainy season, and bring healing, hope, and salvation to these precious people. I hope that you will join me in praying for these incredible people.