Friday, July 25, 2008

Preparing for Ouidah


By: Katie Wanless

While listening to Carmen prepare us for the sights and sounds we will experience in Ouidah, I, Katie, was struck with the reality that this week I will be face to face with the children that have been in slavery at one point, children who are at risk for being sold and some who will ultimately be sold. I have no idea the hurt or pain or sadness I am going to feel. This is not something one can emotional prepare for. Then it hit me. The things I am going to feel is just a glimpse of what God feels when he looks at His children knowing the pain some of them suffered while in slavery to sin, knowing that many people are at risk for staying there and knowing that some people will never come out of their slavery to sin. God's heart morns for his people and yet smiles at the fact that there is HOPE. He is hope. Christ is HOPE.
Exhale...

Inhale...
God loves these forgotten children in Benin.
God loves the lost and weeps for their return.
God loves His children and hurts for their pain, and smiles because of the hope of Jesus set them free.
God loves you!

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have becomes slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:17-18

2 comments:

Mom McDee said...

Love you Katie. We are praying for you and for all the people you are meeting and ministering to.

ManyaG said...

wow Katie can't wait to hear more when you get back: thanks for sharing