The Great Shepherd

Hola! It's the eve of our return to Atlanta and it was also a memorable time for the team. The hacienda (farm) that we visited today was quite a treat for each of us. We benefitted from a few activities such as horseback riding, biking, hiking, and most of all...a devtion/reflection on Psalm 23 by the pond. A few words come to mind when I think of Psalm 23: shepherd, sheep, still waters, green pastures, restoration, rod/staff, comfort, cup overflowing, and eternity.

Sheep are well known for being dumb animals. Apparently they do some dumb things. Well these same dumb animals profoundly trust their shepherd, they rely on him completely for guidance, protection and sustenance. They know that he loves them and cares for them tremendously – so much so that if one of them does get lost, that sheep and the others know that the shepherd will stop at nothing to find him. How do the sheep know where to go? In the time of Jesus, the shepherds would use their staff to hit the rocks in the way to alert the sheep of any danger.  The sheep paid close attention to these sounds so that they knew exactly where to walk. I hope that we too will practice daily this complete reliance on Jesus our Good Shepherd.

Where does he want to lead us? In green pastures

What does he want to give us? Restoration, protection, comfort and sustenance

How do we benefit? Abundant blessings and eternal life with Him

Pancho expounded on this message quite a bit today. I prayed that the team clearly saw the connection between us and the sheep or whatever the message was that God intended for them.

The fun that ensued later included a soccer tournament. Whitefield played well and you will see the medals to prove it. Some of the team wanted to milk cows today but soccer, bike rides, horseback riding and roasting marshmallows by the bonfire somehow trumped that. Jordan, who is on crutches, was made an honorary member of the soccer team.

We returned to the apartment to see Sydney, who stayed behind to get some much needed rest and recovery, looking much better and Mrs. Tolford who stayed with her beaming as we all walked in.

There is still much to pray for here. The Foundation, the kids there, the staff, administration, the community and of course our safe return home are among the priorities at this time. We will have church in the apartment on Sunday morning then go for a cable car ride over Quito. Last year Pancho and Pity set aside some time on the last day to connect individually with each EMT member, I pray that is on the agenda for tomorrow as well. Please pray that God will be revealed to us even on the last day.