Sunsets, 'Gunshots', and Changed Lives

There was a beautiful sunset two nights ago. Pink and gentle. My friend Dave came up to our apartment and inspired us by pulling our wooden bench out onto the balcony. We sat there and watched the pink fade into twilight. One still moment in the middle of this crazy life. Let me try to give a picture:

Last weekend, a loud firecracker went off outside our window. It sounded like a gunshot, and knowing our neighbors, and the company they keep, we had pretty good reason to believe that it was. I wanted to check outside, and make sure it wasn't a firecracker, but my roommates rushed me into the back room where we started praying, and then called one of the men on staff, just to let them know. My two roommates were legitimately scared, not only for us, but for the children who live next door and we've been trying to minister to. One of our men downstairs (also Dave, incidentally) ended up checking it out for us, confirming it was a firecracker, and coming to our door to let us know it was safe. The incident didn't startle me much, but it made me remember where we live--although I am quite comfortable here, it isn't the safest of places. At the beginning of the term our neighbor got raided by the police for drugs and is currently in prison. As a rule we keep our door locked at all times, and the men keep reminding us to wait to hear who's at the door before opening it.

The Center is also located right next to a Rasta camp. They don't always cause trouble, but they do occasionally break in and try to steal from us. Recently, they left an ethernet chord in a wooden box in our back property...I think it was supposed to be some sort of curse. God really does protect us down here, and I am grateful for that.

Also, I recently gave in and went to the doctor, after my friends have been urging me to for two weeks. I have bronchitis. It's been keeping me up for nights. But two days on the antibiotics, and I sleep better already.

Last week we went to Flipper Beach, a gorgeous place with a thirty five foot cliff in an ideal location to jump off of. We snorkeled, we swam, we enjoyed God's creation. It was a beautiful break.

I held out in faith that God would provide for my plane ticket to Brazil if he wanted me to go, and then Pastor Chet told me flat out "You're going, we'll pay for you. Still raise support. But you're going."

I see hundreds of children every day who hear the gospel. I serve twenty one students whose lives are changing radically. One student recently did a monologue that had us all in tears. It was her testimony: raped at six, doing drugs by twelve, homeless, drug lord with a baby at sixteen...slowly the Lord has been pursuing her life and leading her here. She came here angry and mean...we were literally concerned that she might hurt people. Now she is a beautiful woman who is learning to be gentle. And I am honored to know her.

I love you all. God is really growing me and showing that He is sufficient. Continue to lift Patmos up in prayer!!