A heart for the Orphan...

We thought we would wrap up our look back on the trip to the west coast with a few pictures and some random thoughts from our time at the orphanage that Ross' dad is building in Mexico. It's probably fitting that on a day like today, "Mothers Day", when we think about how we've been blessed with a Mom who not only brought us into the world and cared for us, but still continually expresses her love for us, we should be reminded of the fact that there are millions across the world who don't have such a privilege. As I think about our brief visit to the orphanage, a few quotes or sayings come to mind:

"Don't just do something, stand there!" We live our everyday lives at such a hectic pace. We have rushed and worked and stressed and invested and chased "the American Dream", but sometimes we haven't stopped long enough to take a good look around at the needs all around us. We haven't actually "looked" at the problem, instead we've tried to look away from it. I love what it says in Acts chapter 3, verse 4. Peter and John were going about their daily business when a crippled beggar asked them for money. The text says that Peter and John "looked straight at him." It goes on to say that they "helped him up." Maybe before we can really help, we need to really stop and look (as ugly or dirty or unsanitary as it may be).

"Don't just stand there, do something!" I believe there's something unique about humans that refutes the 'big-bang' theory and points to a Creator: Compassion.

com·pas·sion –noun– a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who
is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the
suffering.

The faces on Mount Rushmore didn't appear as a result of an earthquake or millions of years of wind, instead they were crafted and chiseled by a designer who had a picture and plan in mind. So also humans were created by a designer who had a picture and plan in mind. And the characteristic of compassion was all a part of the plan. Jesus modeled it throughout his life and we read in Matthew 9:36 that when he saw the crowds of people who needed healing and needed to hear good news "he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless...". Exercising compassion should be a normal part of being human and one of the most normal parts of following Christ (because He set the example for it).

Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision once said, "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” I loved the day my Dad came back from the orphanage with a bunch of other guys and their hearts were completely broken, they could barely get out a few sentences about their trip without breaking down in tears. I think it's so good for men to model compassion for others. We almost expect it from Mom's, but when we see it from a bunch of tough guys, it makes you take note of what God is doing...and it makes you want to join in.

I know that this post is getting long, but I've just got to share with anyone who reads this blog just how proud I am of my parents for investing in the lives of this little group of orphans in Mexico. I love the promise in Isaiah 58 when God talks about the kind of worship He likes... (isn't it interesting that we all talk about what worship style WE like, but we rarely talk about what style GOD likes?). So in closing, here's a worship style with a promise, from Isaiah 58:

"...Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work
for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give
clothes to those who need them..."
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply."
"...Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes."