The Least of These

We were blessed Sunday morning to see several people we used to worship with. We have been helping with a church plant in a nearby city for the past several years, and one of the churches that helped plant us is the one we used to attend. We miss so many of our friends and mentors from that part of the Body, but we know we are where the Lord wants us. So when some of them come to worship with us, it is like a cool, refreshing drink from the Spirit. 

On Sunday, two of our very favorite came. These elderly men have served the Lord for decades and decades, and have been mentors to hundreds in His Body. Their faces shine with His Spirit. When I am in my eighties, I hope He will be so clearly reflected in me. Volumes could be written about their lives, as they have allowed Him to send them all over the world in His Name. 


One of these two, Gary Tate has been passionate about sharing the Gospel in NE India since his days there as a soldier in World War II. I will have to tell you about the other one another time.  
                    
Gary is the man in the plaid shirt in this video from a few years ago. Anyway, he and Kregg got to talking Sunday morning and Gary was so excited to learn about the things our children are passionate about. Mackenzy, in particular, has been working for several years on the issue of human trafficking. Gary became involved in this issue several years ago, and we didn't even know that. He is so adorable. He has called us several times since Sunday and is going to provide us materials and contacts for her to be able to serve more effectively. He is so passionate about this topic, and I love that this man of God didn't "retire" twenty something years ago, when most people do. He is MORE involved, more active, more passionate, if that is possible. 

He is hoping to meet with Mackenzy later this week. I think it is cute that he is so up to date with the technology that makes him more efficient. He wanted her email and cell phone number so he could set up a meeting. He has already sent Mackenzy's information to another young lady who is about to leave for a trip to that area. There are trips planned twice a year and Mackenzy is already hoping to go on one of them.

Rapha House is one of the ministries through which they do much of their work. "Rapha House exists to love, rescue, and heal children who have been rescued out of slavery and sexual exploitation. Operating as a 501(c)3, Rapha House began in 2003 to permeate cultures with love that heals and leads to restoration. Rapha House does this by providing safehomes and aftercare programs for young girls who have been rescued out of slavery and exploitative situations. All Rapha House homes are currently located in Southeast Asia, with the goal of expanding globally.

Slavery still exists in every culture. Rapha House is constantly partnering with advocates in an effort to build communities that extend unconditional love, physical rescue, and transformational healing." 

Then Gary sent me an email:

"Kregg, Anne & Mackenzy -  These are latest pics of 16
children rescued in the Nepal area by our worker in
NE India in last 4 months, ages 3 to 12, by our workers
in NE India.   They had been "abandoned" or in imminent
danger of being "trafficked".   Dimbeswar calls them
"Angels", and they have a Christian young couple as
"houseparents"... (Extreme poverty is a contributing
cause to their being abandoned or sold...)"

He attached these pictures, and my heart broke. 

They are so beautiful. Each of these precious little souls was snatched from the very clutches of the evil one, bent on their destruction. Praise God!! I cannot stop weeping over these little ones. I want to bring them all home with me!

What does He have in store for us? 

Lord, please show us what You would have us do in response to needs so great. May we not turn away. May we allow You to pour us out like a drink offering however You desire. Please wrap Your arms around each of these precious hearts. Help them to know what the Father's Love really looks like. You will never leave them or abandon them. Please be with their parents. I cannot imagine the desperation that would drive them to abandon these precious little ones. Oh Father, the need is so great. It overwhelms us. But You are Sufficient. Please raise up Your Body to meet the needs You reveal. May our hearts break with what breaks Your Heart. Help us to see how to be Your Hands and Feet to the least of these. 
Through Him Who Overcame,
Amen