Will there be a flood of joy?

Seeing the world, seeing the tears. "Flood of tears" literally written in red paint on the side of a damaged house. Damage everywhere. What remains? Temporary shelters set up by the UN, USAID, various other countries, Habitat, Relief orgs...but how temporary are they? It's been over a year now. Yesterday I rode by motorbike through the provinces, past the mass graves, stopped at a posting of children's pictures, children with no parents anymore, talked with some kids who live in a tent- alone. Beautiful beach, calm waves, newly planted mangroves. Sun shining in Aceh. Bought most delicious ear of roasted corn from a lady, a tsunami widow. She lost her husband and two sons. She told me she used to sell about 50 ears of corn a day. But that was before, when there were buyers. Many gone, but some preserved. And for what? For Whom? I think what's struck me the deepest in my first week here is how God will use brokenness to restore. This area was closed, absolutely isolated, shut off, guarded against, "protected from": LIGHT. Now, the land can't help but receive it - PRAY that it will sink in and take root in powerful, enduring ways.

These are some children who lost their parents. They live alone in this tent.


We've had some valuable interactions here. This is so different than my classroom learning! I often get introduced as a "Community Development specialist" - though I hardly feel capable; shyly smiling on the inside, but confident that God uses donkeys. Meeting in the home of local fish farmers to see their perspective, meeting with the local authorities responsible for organizing NGO activities for rehabilitation, watching and waiting, exploring in faith and resting in a power not our own. I'm being asked to do things I don't think I know how to do...draw plans for the fish farm, if not from an architectural perspective then from an artist perspective. How do I do this? Okay, Lord, you can. I've seen the preschool I'll be painting...wow. I can't wait. I feel inadequate in so many ways, but ever eager. I know that today is the day.

Dave and Dirk left today...I will be here for a few more days. My heart is glad that I am not alone, that you are with me in the Light. I long to return to you, to share more fully. Have read from Acts this week during team devotions - Paul, during the shipwreck, knew His God. He said, "Not one person will be lost." The question put to me, to us, "How are we going to go about the tasks God has given us? from our education, to our bank accounts, citizenship, relationships...Paul was a highly qualified and determined person, but ultimately it was his weakness that allowed Christ to be all. Are we willing to put ourselves on the life for our Lord Jesus? Am I? Pray for sustenance and a courage not my own. When Paul knew his clear call, he held nothing back. No matter where he found himself, he wanted to be used by God.