Kelsey's Thoughts...

Isaiah 40:18-23

¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God?
   To what image will you liken him?
¹⁹ As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
   and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
   and fashions silver chains for it.
²⁰ A person too poor to present such an offering
   selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
   to set up an idol that will not topple.

 ²¹ Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
   Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
²² He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
   and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
   and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
²³ He brings princes to naught
   and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

            Isaiah 40 stood out to me today as we toured Angkor Watt, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temples were built 1000 years ago for the various Hindu Gods and are now used by Buddhists to worship and make offerings. There were so many mixed emotions as we walked through the temples. On one hand I was impressed and in awe of the craftsmanship and splendor of the temples, but on the other hand I was so sad that so many people have bought into the lies and based their life on creating something so magnificent and grand for pagan gods. As I stood amongst the temples I couldn’t help but be so thankful that I serve a God who doesn’t require this from me. Though He deserves indescribable glory and honor, He doesn’t demand fancy temples or idols created after Him. It hit me that as Christians our bodies are viewed as temples. Before today I never saw much significance in that fact, but after viewing these temples and the sacredness of them to the people I began to understand just how sacred our bodies are to God and how we should treat them as such. It gave me a whole new understanding and view of that scripture.

            This trip so far has been such an eye opening experience for us all I think. We are learning so much about the deep seeded issues of human trafficking and practical ways to combat it as well as personal revelations and future desires dealing with these issues. I would ask for prayer for the last stretch of our trip. After leaving Rapha House we all felt as if our heart was being ripped from our chests and that we had given all that we had to these girls and in turn had nothing left to offer. Pray that we are able to continue to pour out love and compassion. Pray that we don’t get discouraged or distracted. Pray that we stay selfless and reflect Christ in all that we say and do. Pray for energy as exhaustion is beginning to set in and finally pray for health as Hiatt has become sick and needs healing. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement!!

With love,

Kelsey