Love Until It Hurts

Christ's peace and blessings to all of you! I only have a little time to write this...but I wanted to let everyone know that I've arrived safely in Ecuador. To all those who were helping with the Christmas project for the kids; I have to tell you that miraculously, we had no problems in the airport or in customs, despite the fact that the 3 army duffle bags were overweight, oversized and clearly suspiscious looking! Truly it is a miracle that saved us almost a thousand dollars. Praise God!

This past week was Thanksgiving and we celebrated with some pies that we got at a local bakery...no turkey; but the pies were delicious nontheless! :)

The past few days have been blessed, as being reunited with all the children here has brought my heart more joy than words can express. Yet with the joy come the sorrow that two of the children have run away; Josue (since last week) and as of yesterday, my little Moises (who is pictured in my facebook profile). It is hard to have this happen in the first few days and humbling,too, because I realize that I can't save these kids. My love can't save these kids. Only God and His mercy can. May I be a channel of this love, yes...but in the end, I must trust that God cares for these little children more than I ever could. The following scripture of Matthew 18:11-14 comes to mind:

"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

As Mother Teresa said, "If we love until it hurts, then we find there is no longer pain, but only love." What a gift, then, to have such a capacity to love...to care for another human being so much that their sufferings are felt in your very own heart. It is the example Christ has given us, taking our sins and sufferings upon his own Sacred heart...and to be able to participate in His sufferings...to love as He loves, is a gift in disguise.

Please join me in prayer this week, that Moises and Josue return to the Santuario safe and sound; and that Our Lord and His angels would protect them while we wait. May God bless and keep you all!