a few thougths about Ethiopia

I've still been pretty busy since school ended, but am starting to get rather excited to cross the pond again. I re-read this book in the first two hours of jury duty...it didn't exactly carry me through the long day, but it was really to read it again. Dortzbach and Long have really condensed things to give you a great overview of the scope of the AIDS crisis and where it's headed, what has been done, where there is need for help, and what the church needs to do to respond. The church should be a community of sanctuary, healing, and hope for those who have been marginalized and are suffering. I am really excited to see how a group of counselors can go and learn from people who have been doing holistic work among communities struggling with these issues.

It is interesting that the story of Jesus with the woman at the well keeps coming up this year in different areas of my life, studies, and conversations. They write: "Jesus engaged compassionately and authentically with the woman at the well, drawing her into meaningful dialogue and addressing her primary need for living water. Likewise, we want to create an environment of safety and openness where people in any kind of pain or need can discover the hope that comes from living under the shelter of God's love as mediated by God's people." How can we even try to engage in these kinds of audacious acts of love and hope? I know I don't have it in me; but I know God desires to show his kingdom in these ways, and he will be faithful.

Before the first time I went to India, I prayed something like this prayer: give these hands something to do. It has been answered and continues to be, as faithless as I often feel, as weak and frustrated, as broken and wounded and poor. This soul can sing, these hands can carry, and this heart can break, if I am willing to receive what he gives.

"Yahweh" U2

Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn

Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn

Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break.