in my place, condemned He stood.

“Stubborn man was I who pushed His hands aside
I don’t need Your grace I can do this on my own

What a lost man was I, stuck in my own way.
But I understand the cross and what it’s done”

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This is an excerpt from a follow-up paper about the trip, that I am writing for class. I hope it helps you get a small glimpse of some of the things the Lord taught me.

“The most impacting day for me was the day we visited the Pakistani refugees. Now, I have been to Guatemala before and seen poverty, and the slums of New York City, but for some reason this took me back like never before. This was a family of 5, with 3 sweet little children, living in a room smaller than my dorm room. With no other rooms expect a bathroom that was tightly closed off. I am sure it was tiny and in rough conditions, judging by the rest of the building. This family was chased out of their home because of their faith in Christ. The Father’s clinic was apparently burned down and they said they had to flee to Thailand with nothing but the clothes on their back. The first thing one of the young girls, about 6, said to my friend Katie was “do you know that Jesus died for you?” This melted our hearts. This family was obviously struggling to get along, they were unable to leave their home in fear of their lives, and they survived by the help of local churches and friends. But they had the joy of the Lord like I’ve never seen before! We asked the kids if they had a bible and they said they did, and it was in their language, and that they read it every day. This family also showed us lovely, warm hospitality when they welcomed us into their home, asked us to have a seat on their bed, the only piece of furniture in the room other than some shelves and miniature fridge. They served us cold, bottled water as well as Pakistani Chai tea. Not only did it mean very much to us that they gave us something costly and so special to their hearts, but it was also very delicious! After visiting them, we prayed with them and I was choking back tears while we prayed, and even as we left. For me this was the most humbling and encouraging experience of the trip.”

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Romans 7:24-25
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus ….who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

“Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood
He sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

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When the desert is all around
you’re the water that consistently abounds.
When I’ve turned my back and the sun beats down,
you’re the shade that silently cools the ground.

When all I see is emptiness and destruction
you are the river that sustains life.
When all I hear is the storm approaching
you are my comforter, the never-ending source of light.

When I’ve run out excuses to not listen to your voice
you remind me that you are my ONLY choice.
When I feel like the suffering will never end,
you remind me that through the pain we are called to rejoice.

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“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When can I go and meet with God?”

Can you tell me the last time you got even HALF that excited to meet with Him? I know I am not a good example. I don’t usually come home from work and think “SCORE! I can FINALLY read my bible and pray!” - I usually flop on my couch and turn on the stupid TV to “relax.”

Why do we let ourselves get so excited about movies and friends, yet not about our Creator and our only Saviour? We all need more THIRST for Him.

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