But something is different. When you arrive in this city, you receive a report on how to stay safe. Girls are not allowed out alone as soon as it gets dark. You are warned not to look people in the eye because that is seen as a sign of aggression. You will immediately be asked if you have a problem and you must reply "no". You are told never to carry much money or valuables on you, and many more useful hints. You see, the criminals are absolutely fearless in this city. They do not care about being seen, about injuring their victims or anything else. There is only one active church in the vicinity.
That first day walking around town, you will quickly see that while the criminals may be fearless, the rest of the population lives in fear. Everyone carries their bags in a very distinct way, close to their bodies and with a very firm hold. If you pass by someone too close you can see and feel them tense up. If you, out of habit, look people in the eyes for more than a couple seconds you can see the suspicion in their gaze. It makes you feel incredibly sad to see people so afraid that something as simple and respectful as looking someone in the eyes is taboo. You want these people to get their dignity back. They live in this most incredible city but they cannot truly enjoy it. There is a heaviness that is so evident in this city and everyone has to struggle with it everyday.
Truth be told, the above description was copied from an email letter I received from Vanessa Kornelsen, a young woman friend of mine who is traveling with YWAM, (Youth With A Mission) in Europe. She has been studying and serving amidst different cultures. The city that is being described is present day Marseilles, France. I found this description of Marseilles shocking.
What a contrast to my home city of Winnipeg, Canada. We live in a culture that largely embraces Christianity, and despite my city being well-known for a high crime rate, we still feel pretty safe walking the streets at night in most neighbourhoods. We look one another in the eyes as we pass, sometimes smiling or calling greetings. We don't live in fear. We are free to believe in and worship God in our churches, for which I am so very thankful. I hope that we never take this for granted.
We can boldly say "Praise the Lord!" on our Facebook pages, when we receive good news. In fact, I had some GREAT news today. My husband's niece and her husband had a baby boy on Thanksgiving Day, 2011, born prematurely at 23 weeks and five days. He was given 0% chance of survival, because his bowels were damaged/dead. Nov. 30th (1 1/2 months later) he survived his second surgery on his bowels, most of which was repaired and is now healthy. He is a miracle baby, and the parents believe that baby Bennett now has a future.
What if the parents didn't love God and believe that He could heal their son? What if they had listened to the doctors' recommendations to "let him go" when he was born? What if God didn't exist? There certainly wouldn't be tearful praises to God resounding audibly and on the internet across Canada and the U.S.. People from all over the world have bonded together to pray for the life of this one small boy. What an inspiring sense of unity and purpose!
One small boy. Our Lord Jesus was one small boy who changed history. Thanks to Him, instead of a world where crime reigns supreme, we can worship Him freely and without fear. We are about to enter into the season that celebrates His birth and life. May we not become submerged in the busy-ness of the season and forget to reflect on the true meaning of the season.
A recent painting of mine was created in honour of, and dedicated prayerfully to Baby Bennett, our niece's new son. You can view this painting at my website by clicking here.
What a contrast to my home city of Winnipeg, Canada. We live in a culture that largely embraces Christianity, and despite my city being well-known for a high crime rate, we still feel pretty safe walking the streets at night in most neighbourhoods. We look one another in the eyes as we pass, sometimes smiling or calling greetings. We don't live in fear. We are free to believe in and worship God in our churches, for which I am so very thankful. I hope that we never take this for granted.
We can boldly say "Praise the Lord!" on our Facebook pages, when we receive good news. In fact, I had some GREAT news today. My husband's niece and her husband had a baby boy on Thanksgiving Day, 2011, born prematurely at 23 weeks and five days. He was given 0% chance of survival, because his bowels were damaged/dead. Nov. 30th (1 1/2 months later) he survived his second surgery on his bowels, most of which was repaired and is now healthy. He is a miracle baby, and the parents believe that baby Bennett now has a future.
What if the parents didn't love God and believe that He could heal their son? What if they had listened to the doctors' recommendations to "let him go" when he was born? What if God didn't exist? There certainly wouldn't be tearful praises to God resounding audibly and on the internet across Canada and the U.S.. People from all over the world have bonded together to pray for the life of this one small boy. What an inspiring sense of unity and purpose!
One small boy. Our Lord Jesus was one small boy who changed history. Thanks to Him, instead of a world where crime reigns supreme, we can worship Him freely and without fear. We are about to enter into the season that celebrates His birth and life. May we not become submerged in the busy-ness of the season and forget to reflect on the true meaning of the season.
A recent painting of mine was created in honour of, and dedicated prayerfully to Baby Bennett, our niece's new son. You can view this painting at my website by clicking here.
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