msiba. again.

tragedy.  calamity. disaster.
We awoke to news of one here in America and we scoured the web and read emails from friends for news of another far away but dear to our hearts.  A senseless and violent shooting and another ferry sank on our island.  Again.  Last year an overloaded boat with what was at least 2 thousand people sank to the depths of the ocean.  The reported numbers in no way reflect how many souls were lost that day and we are sure there will be more revealed in the coming days about this accident as well.  I wish I was there to be with my neighbors and grieve with them.  We are again reminded a pain free life is not promised.  Sin permeates and our fallen world is painful and cruel. We so often rush through life and forget to be grateful for each breath.  Lord, come back and reveal your glory!  An acquaintance on our island lost her mother in law and her aunt and many children and others passed away.  Today is the first day of Ramadan and we joined our many friends around the world in fasting and praying.  Because today it seemed necessary to humble ourselves before God and remember His goodness and healing and sacrifice so that all can know God’s amazing love and live in His peace in this world and the next.

I re posted this picture because it grabs my heart and twists it until I need to pray, to beg for mercy for our broken and hurting world.  We all feel it more today but this world is not permanent, it is passing, and it is never guaranteed.  I wrote this today to a friend…..inasikitisha sana…lakini tumjua Mungu Mkubwa na tunawaombea wote sasa. Mungu atawafaraja waliofiwa. moyo wangu ni huko.  (This causes us to hurt, it is deplorable but we know God is Big and we pray for everyone right now.  God will comfort all those who mourn and who lost someone.  My heart is there.)

“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”  The Message puts it like this…. .”You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” Matt 5:4.

Praying for everyone, everywhere that is suffering and experiencing loss today.  Jesus is closer than we know and God promises comfort.  Feel free to cry with me and let’s all stand with those who suffer where ever they are,