Grieving, Gathering and Going

Sometimes it all feels a little overwhelming. Last night at our weekly PeaceChurch gathering, I shared to our community that it can be so exhausting to care so much. It would be easier to be apathetic. 10 days ago, in a special operation to find one of the FBIs most wanted terrorists, a Malaysian man known as Marwan, there were 69 pointless deaths. I mourn for the 44 Philippine National Police Officers, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and 7 civilians. I mourn especially for the five year old boy and his father who were killed in the fighting during morning prayers at their mosque. Why, Lord? Why?

The corruption, violence and natural disasters in the Philippines grieve us deeply. We pray, we share our hearts, we strategize, we serve the oppressed and poor, we teach peace...... and we rely on Jesus to carry us through the dark times. 

I feel the need, more than ever, to focus on GOOD, to share stories of how God is at work and to remain positive, trusting in Jesus. I feel deeply thankful for the work of PeaceChurch and the many ways our community is working towards peace in this land. I am excited about the Philippines Anabaptist Network and the Peace and Reconciliation training that is really taking off. I am thankful for PeaceChurch's involvement in building Earthbag houses and the safety and comfort it is bringing to families in need. I'm grateful for our community and how God is transforming hearts and minds to live out Jesus' radical call for us all. 

And more than anything, I'm thankful for the three little ones that fill up most of my time these days.

Darnell and I feel infinitely blessed by their chatter, laughter, questions and comedy. Our little lady is 5 months old today! Her first tooth just poked through, she's sitting for a few seconds at a time, rolling everywhere, smiling/giggling always, and getting up on her hands and knees with such determination. The boys continue to entertain us with their imaginative play, silly stories and songs and dances. They are just a hoot and I love hanging out with them :)

Amidst our work here and Darnell being very busy with various events and involvements, we are also looking forward and making plans for this summer. Our flights are booked and in three months time we'll be home!! We'll be staying for 4 months this time for North American Ministry. In May we'll be preaching and sharing in BC, June we head to Alberta for a couple weeks and in July we're in Manitoba and then Darnell flies to Pennsylvania for the Mennonite World Conference. August is holiday time. We are very much looking forward to this time in Canada; a break from our work here to connect with our friends, family and supporters and to rejuvenate and reenergize as we gear up to serve for another 3 year term. In the next three months we will be packing up our apartment and putting our belongings in storage.... pray for us as we discern where to live when we return to Manila in September. 

So there is a lot going on now and a lot to process. But in the middle of feeling overwhelmed by the senseless deaths and ridiculous corruption here, we gather as community. As I shared my heart last night with our PeaceChurch community, my struggles and exhaustion, I felt safe and not alone. As we read about Jesus' radical call to love and to learn from even our so-called enemies, I felt energized by the Spirit to keep living out Jesus' radical call to love all people and work for peace.