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This is a hard job. We knew that coming in, but we didn’t know it. You can only know how hard it is by doing it. But . . . the amazing thing is that God has given us the heart to do it. We very much enjoy the job, despite its hardness.

We’re getting dirty . . . . because we’re getting involved in messy lives. Real messy. About as messy as they come. And sometimes we find ourselves asking “Jesus, why did you put us here? What have you gotten us into?” To me, he always seems to say things like:

It’s not about you.
I love these girls as much as I love you.
These are the kinds of lives I got involved in when I was on earth.

So we keep on keeping on in a spirit of worship and thankfulness. Jesus put us here and it’s a joy to work hard in his orchard.

Our resident ended up having a very healthy little boy. A few days later she moved back in with her grandmother and seem to be doing well. She’ll still call the Promise House every week or so. She misses it. This was her home for a long time. The folks here were her family.

It’s amazing how Jesus takes broken things and fixes them . . . how he turns bad situations in to shining testimonies of what he does . . . he gives life. That’s what the Promise House is all about. We’re trying to foster an environment where broken girls can come and experience the mending power of God’s presence, love, and grace.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt like just sitting down and putting something up on the blog. Lots of stuff is happening. Good stuff. Jesus is working in the Promise House. He’s bringing beauty out of the ashes. We get to be a part of it everyday.

Our youngest resident is due in three days. She’ll be staying with us at the Promise House for a few months.

Sophia is growing like a weed. She’s cutting her top teeth now.

We’re gearing up for summer. Thankfully we surrounded by amazing folks who want to be a part of the girls’ lives. Folks like Nitzia David, Linda Bass, Denise Seal, and of course the sewing ladies.

I was talking with one of the girls about her faith. She puts her faith in Jesus and is learning how to walk with him. I asked her if she thinks some of the other girls were being influenced by her. “They don’t say anything. But I think they are paying attention.” I told her I agreed.

In Peru, I always said I had the best job in the world. This one is pretty darn good too. We get to mix up in real lives. We are doing life with some hurt folks.

That plays out in really mundane, everyday scenarios. Like . . . going fishing.

Last week, while the girls were one spring break, I got up early one morning and took them fishing. We caught a few good sized catfish and just talked. Knowing what some of them have been through it amazes me to see them enjoy life. It’s breathtaking how Jesus fixes broken hearts. How he makes people able to smile again. He made me smile again.

We’re about to experience our first Promise House delivery. One of the girls started having light contractions this week. This morning they became REALLY intense (I know this because there was a lot of screaming going on). We took her to Baptist and she was already dialated to 5.

She should have her little boy sometime this evening.

Meanwhile, I’m at the Promise House taking care of Sophia and the other PH girls.