I still remember the day that Lindsay left for India.  She was all nerves and excitement and living her dream and leaving her love behind- even if she didn’t know he was her love just yet.

She’s all fierce and gentle like that and I prayed for her heart while she was gone and for the heart of every precious child of The Father she’d meet there.

And when she came back, she was different.  Everything about her was different.

The truth is, I’m not sure what happened to her while she was there, but I think she realized three things in those days while she was away.  She realized that Jesus takes the very best care of her heart and that He must have meant for her to share it.

So, that’s what she did.

She gave the part of her heart that she didn’t leave in India to Ben and she loves him fiercely with it.  And she loves the two little boys that they have together with a fury that only a mother can possess.  And in the quiet moments and in the chaos I know full well that India still speaks to her and she loves that land and the children in it, too.

And she’ll go back someday and I’d bet my life on the fact that she’ll bring a little girl home from there.

But for now, my sweet Lindsay and her three men are in Georgia and the Compassion crowd is in India.  These incredible bloggers are giving up ten days of their lives to spread the word about Compassion, to see the impact that it has on the world, and to give a first hand account of how incredible it truly is to release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name.

So, while they’re there read their stories, leave them comments, encourage them.  Pray for them.  Pray for their peace and for their words and most of all, pray for the children of India and the hope that they have in Jesus.  The hope we all have in Jesus.

]]> http://emilywithaheart.com/2009/04/27/indias-hope-and-a-heart-thats-still-there/feed/ 1 http://emilywithaheart.com/2008/07/26/the-40-day-fast-my-day/ http://emilywithaheart.com/2008/07/26/the-40-day-fast-my-day/#comments Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:14:15 +0000 Emily http://emilywithaheart.com/?p=103 I live on the busiest street in Manizales, Colombia.  There’s a theatre within walking distance, a large grocery store, and a Juan Valdez coffee shop who’s wifi I can pick up occassionally.  There are people wearing clothes imported from the States and fancy cars that fly by obnoxiously blowing their horns throughout the night.  There are restaurants with fruity drinks and those forks that are too heavy to use for eating and there are children without shoes standing on corners begging for change, a meal, any hint of compassion.  They are hungry.

Nutrir is non-profit foundation that feeds children in the two lowest social stratas of the city.  They provide breakfasts and lunches for nearly 4,000 children in 21 locations throughout the Manizales.  My class and I spent a day at one Nutrir location downtown.  We saw the stores of food and heard about the lack of funding and the number of children for whom they are still unable to provide.  And we heard about the hope that they have for increased donations, more plates, more potatoes, more full bellies.  We asked questions and wandered around until we heard a clamor in the cafeteria at the front of the building. 

The street children rushed in and stopped politely when they saw us.  They murmured greetings and giggled in hushed whispers about the blonde teacher in their presence.  Then they took their seats and waited patiently on the meal that Nutrir was providing them.  They ate hungrily and we watched and I couldn’t help but wonder what life must have been like before Nutrir fed the children. 

This post is part of the 40 Day Fast.  Erin is writing today as well.  Visit Inspired to Action to learn more about the 40 Day Fast and to read other bloggers’ posts on a needs of the world and organizations that are helping to meet those needs.

It starts today. 40 days of fasting. To change the world. By making needs known. It starts today and I’m excited to be a part of it. I’ll be fasting on July 27th and praying for this home-for-awhile of mine.

Be a part of the change.

Follow the crowd at Inspired to Action or check up on all of the other bloggers as they fast and pray for a place in need.

Pray for Brant today as he fasts for the place where God lives.