Psalms: Where can I go that you are not there.
II Corinthians 1: We suffered much and thought that we should parish and would have if it were not for the Lord.
Luis is a quiet, to the side, kind of child. One of those
children living in the peripheral of this world; not hiding but silent and
unnoticed. If approached he is quick to give you a smile and a hug but slow to
give you his guarded heart. Once he gives you his heart you will learn the
unfairness of the fallen world and at the same time the greatness of a God that
loves his people.
Luis suffers from epilepsy. In the past he had as many as
ten seizures a day. The people in his remote village think that a local witch
placed a curse on him. He became a social outcast and was not allowed to attend
school. Today, through medicine his seizures are better controlled and he is
being tutored to ready him for continuing education.
Luis has witnessed much violence and abuse in his short
twelve years of life. He was present for his fathers’ murder and watched him
die. Then two years later he witnessed his step fathers’ murder. His mothers’
third husband was a violet man and they were often beaten by him. Because of
her life, his mother suffered mentally and abandon him. He was taken in by
neighbors and lived in a community where he was sexually abused for two years.
From there he came to live with us.
Through all of this, he has maintained a heart that is soft,
sweet, and gentle; a heart that wants to protect the weaker children around
him. One day I ask him how can you be so happy, kind and gentle? He thought for
a minute and answered because God lives in my heart.
The life of Luis has many messages for us. The most
important is the message of recognition. Luis recognizes who holds his life and
cares for him. Luis recognizes that no matter where he is or what happens, that
God is with him. Luis recognizes that God restores and heals the most broken of
lives. Luis recognizes that there is no place he can go that God is not there
with him. Yes at age twelve he recognizes the fullness God. This recognition
gives him a settled and peaceful heart.
Luis told me that one day he wanted to be a preacher so he
could tell people about God and what He has done for him. For Luis I ask you
this. Do you know God in His fullness? Do you know that he holds you in his
hand. God knows you in great detail and longs to be in a relationship with you.
Open yourself to Him and enjoy His presence in your life today.
God,
We thank you for caring for us. It is you that we feel in us
when we find the courage to forgive and overcome the brutality of this world.
Father thank you that there is no place we can go that you are not there with
us. Lord put your arms around us today.
Thank you Centenary United
Methodist Church and Pete Heath for your heart of love you so willingly and
freely gave to Luis regardless of the risk of heart break.
