paint it purple

Journal entry July 31, 2007

Kaili, Guizhou, China

Outside the Miao Bullfight Stadium

Last night Jack, Justin, Sam and I sat outside in Kaili across the street from our hotel at a large plaza outside a bull fighting stadium.  People ate and drank and smoked and music waft through the air.  We talked ministry and about Jack’s life and calling. It was the best conversation yet, but then it was after midnight.  We got up to leave and two little girls instantly appeared and began picking through our leftovers… a little braised tofu, some snails, lamb skewers… the littlest, about six I guess started eating the tofu.  They were beautiful children.  Well behaved organized, serious, thoughtful.  I stopped and dug in my pocket for a yuan.  All I had was a 50.  Too much.  I’ve learned if it is too much someone takes it.  I asked Justin if he had any yuan. He dug it out and gave it to her.  “Xiao mei! Xiao mei!”  “Little miss!  Little miss!” I woke up several times thinking about my children.  “We must come here.”  My children need to see this.  Yes, so they’ll appreciate the food they have and throw out.  Yes, so they appreciate their lives.  But more over so they learn compassion, that there really are hungry children in China. 

Father, keep these two little girls ‘til morning is nigh.  I give them to you.  Yes, I know you gave them to me, but I put them in your hands.  Make them strong, brave, compassionate, well-fed, human, followers of your Son.  Be blessed, be loved, be glorified.

Redeem this world, this country, my family.  Redeem us all.  May I spend every waking hour doing whatever I must to bring about your kingdom.  It is near, it is here now.  I don’t need faith, Jesus has risen!  Let the world know.