As I walked from the house to the Church I looked down at the path that our team had carved out between the two buildings. When we first showed up, there wasn’t much snow, but the path was slightly carved out by the steps that had came before we had. As I now looked down at the snow covered trail, it was clearly defined. You could see the many footsteps that had carved the trail and packed the snow down beneath them.
In this moment God gave me an image. This path is like our team. Every time we come to this community, see these kids at camp during the summer, and even as we meet new youth and see them throughout the week, the path of God’s love is dug a little deeper and the trail is made a little bit more definite. For these kids, our continued presence month by month is changing their hearts, slowly but surely God’s love is packing down the path within their hearts.
One thing that Cole and I have been realizing as we keep coming up North with new team members and old ones, is that God is continually working. The change we see in these kids may not be immediate but it is there no matter how faint. Yes, once in a while some fresh snow may fall and make the path a bit more blurry but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t left its mark and cannot be refreshed.
This week has been hard on my heart. To see my beloved girls and where they live. To see the brokenness of the community once again, and to know these girls and know their hearts and what they go through. To see the darkness that they have to navigate each day. It breaks my heart every time. But I am thankful for that, because as I see the darkness, I can also see the light that God’s power brings within this community. His love prevails. His love wins. As God breaks my heart my love for these youth grows even more. With every moment spend with them I realize how beautiful and perfect God’s plan is for them and me. The fact that my girls from Camp came to the Church to say hi and that I was able to once again encourage them in small moments of hugs and “I love you” “you are beautiful” is what makes me sure that this is God’s plan and that no matter what I can trust in His heart for these kids.
Over the past few days we have seen God working in amazing ways, bringing so many youth (new and known) into the doors of the Church. These youth could be spending their night walking around town involved in activities that the darkness holds. But instead, God’s love has drawn them into the doors of the Church. His power draws them into light and love. And that is why we are here. To facilitate and show God’s wooing and magnetic love.
I have been amazed this week of God’s provision. Every night youth have piled in for Alpha. Yes, they might be distracted and not able to fully participate or engage as we would expect youth to at home, but they are in the building. They are hearing the words of Christ, they are in a safe place where they are loved and valued. Where they are taken care of. God’s heart for these youth of Behchoko is bigger than mine for them. That is A LOT of love. He keeps bringing them in. His light breaks through the darkness and He prevails over evil. That is our LORD. What a marvelous King.
Currently we are on our way back to Behchoko from a day in Yellowknife. I’m remembering 3 years ago when we were leaving Yellowknife heading back to the same community. I was sitting with a broken heart for the people in these communities. God had given me an image that day that I will never forget, an image of His love. In that, He showed me that I am a rock in his hand. As I go through experiences and continue to love the people that He puts in my path He is chipping away at me, carving my heart into His perfect and beautiful purpose. I see my rock in His loving, powerful, kind, gentle, worn and strong hand. With every person we meet, every moment of heartbreak over the pain and evil that is in this world. With every moment of love, He is making something out of me that is going to accomplish His perfect purpose and show His mighty love. These kids that I deeply love are His kids too, and He also has them in His hand and is carving out a path in their hearts through me. That is beautiful. That is grace. That is love.
So, as we continue through this week the path that we walk about fifteen times a day will continue to remind me of God’s provision and His heart for this community. His heart for me, His heart for this team, and His heart for you as well. I encourage you today to search, even at home, for moments where you can show His love. Where you can start the path of change and love. There is no person that is too far gone to be touched by His love. He is making each of us into a beautiful image of His peace, joy, grace, and love. That is a beautiful thought. That is our LORD, our friend, our King.
- See you soon. Jessica.