Archive for August, 2008

Leaving Canton turned out to be more difficult than I imaged.  After returning from Honduras the previous week, my desire to start grad school exploded.  Spending so much time with children re-sparked my passion for academics and teaching God’s word.  Shortly after returning to the states, Dana’s “manhood” celebrations began, starting with his bachelor party on Thursday, the rehearsal dinner on Friday followed by the wedding Saturday.  Throughout the summer I spent time with my friends here and there, but for three straight days I soaked in the great friendships which had developed throughout my time at Malone.  Friday afternoon hit me like a whirlwind, with fresh experiences swirling around my head.  After the wedding on Saturday, arriving at my house in Canton, after a day of celebration, the day ended in morning.  These were the friends, the relationships, the memories I would leave behind.

Sunday morning continued in the same theme by saying goodbye’s to the great people I learned to love and admire at my home church.  If this wasn’t enough to break me, I invited my family to my mother’s house for a farewell lunch, Barberton chicken (a family tradition).  As we sat around the table enjoying lunch, talking about our lives, the old days and the new, it, whatever “it” is, hit me.  Memories flooded my mind of the amazing blessings the Lord bestowed upon me during my time in Ohio.  No matter what happens, the crispness of the memories may fade, but the emotions and memories will never go away.

Driving eight hours down 77 allowed me much time for reflection.  My head and my heart screamed with all their ability to turn around and go to Ashland Seminary and be close to this beautiful community God gave me.  The thought of not seeing certain people again made gashes onto my heart.  Through the heartache and mental turmoil, a burst of light leap forth to bring a unnatural calming to my senses.  Even though my heart and head screamed to return, an overwhelming peace in my soul overtook the flood of emotion.  The Lord called me to teach his word to college students as my profession and life calling.  To do so requires a seminary education not solely focused on academic or spiritual transformation, but a beautiful dance of both.  It is in the intricate and elaborate dance that the heart of Columbia exists.

Paul concludes his letter to the Philippian church with an exhortation.  Paul calls the Philippians and all believers not to be anxious about anything, but through prayer to offer our requests but more importantly our hearts to God.  The result of such an sacrifice is capable only through God, a peace that transcends all understanding.  This peace, a shalom of my soul, overtook the nerves and tears my heart and mind let forth in a manner one could not contemplate.   The beauty of this experience lies in this peace, for Paul claims God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  At this moment I am at a loss for words.  As such I will end with a simple phrase many of us know, “Tis so sweet, to trust in Jesus.”

At one point, Casa de Esperanza, the orphanage, had sixteen children including this guy, Marvin, and his four brothers. About two years ago, Marvin’s father left their mother to care for their six boys, ranging from one to eight. Over a period of a few weeks, the mother slowly realized she couldn’t feed her children. She decided to drop of the youngest boy, Antonio, to the orphanage because they could give him what he needs and deserves. Every two weeks for the next two months she dropped off another child, realizing she couldn’t feed all but one of the six brothers. These five children were the first kids the orphanage took under their care.

The kids loved Casa, playing with other kids, going to school, and learning English quite quickly. After two years, the father came back into the picture and the parents wanted the children back. As with most countries, if either of the parents want to raise the child, the government would rather have the child live with its parent rather than an orphanage. The five boys went back to the parents. The father works a few days a week, making the equivalent of five dollars a week - still not enough to feed a family of eight.

When we arrived at the airport a few weeks ago here in Honduras, we were told some friends of ours were staying at a hotel. Naturally, we went to see them. As we walked into the room, our friends ushered us into the bedroom where the five boys jumped out of the wardrobe to surprise us. How all five fit into the wardrobe, we haven’t a clue. It had been over three months since they left and on could easily tell. Their cheeks sank into their faces, their stomachs became flatter, and the joy which once filled theirs eyes disappeared. To make matters worse, we believe the father beats the children as well when he gets into a drunken rage, but they are too fearful of him to tell us.

That night we stayed in the hotel to spend the evening and the next day with the boys. This was the face of Marvin when we were leaving. You can see the sore on his lip, which we assume his father gave him, and he asked us if he was coming with us as we loaded the car. We slowly bent down to tell him, “Your parents are taking care of you now.”

This is why I spend time in Honduras. Only God knows if the brothers will come back to the orphanage where they will be fed three meals a day, play with other children, go to school and given the opportunity of the future. But one things will always remain with the five boys, they know in a time of trouble, there is always a place they can run to.