We left home at the end of March on an epic multi country extended trip.

David flew down to Colombia for a conference, came back to Mexico for another one, then we flew to Canada to spend some time with friends and family.

These have been several weeks of delicious drowning in the unsounded depths of christian love and generosity. It is equally wonderful and overwhelming to realize the power that true believers possess to heal and comfort and sustain

because

I was a stricken deer, that left the herd 
Long since; with many an arrow deep infixt 
My panting side was charg’d, when I withdrew 
To seek a tranquil death in distant shades. 
There was I found by one who had himself 
Been hurt by th’ archers. In his side he bore, 
And in his hands and feet, the cruel scars. 
With gentle force soliciting the darts, 
He drew them forth, and heal’d, and bade me live. 
Since then, with few associates, in remote 
And silent woods I wander, far from those 
My former partners of the peopled scene; 
With few associates, and not wishing more.

William Cowper

But the One with cruel scars, that Great Physician, has skillful assistants. Perhaps the silent woods have been our home for many years as we recovered life, perhaps we have been wary of anything outside our little copse. His helpers, his very children, have bravely taken our hands and led us out into the hope of sunshine and fields of wildflowers again.

There is most assuredly a grove behind your church, your neighborhood, even your own home, filled with wounded deer. They are in deep pain, seeking death and release, perhaps not even allowing our Lord to remove the bitter arrows. May I encourage you to be a Physician’s assistant like our dear friends; to risk attack and hatred yourself, to expose yourself to whatever danger necessary and go after the hurting ones of the Christian wood. Restore in them again their trust in the goodness of redeemed man, reignite in their souls the reality of true christianity.

(Cowper is best known amongst us, not for his poetry, but for hymns like There is a Fountain Filled with Blood and God Moves in Mysterious Ways. However, he was a prolific poet and entire volumes can be found of his work. He suffered from bullying as a child, and severe mental weakness and depression as an adult which caused serious spiritual insecurities. His writings are all the more precious knowing they were born from a tormented soul finding healing and joy in his Savior.)

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10