Earlier this week I spoke to Jon Barratt from Project Rescue.
Jon’s remarkably upbeat and optimistic. (He also rides bikes with us.) Knowing the sort of work he does, the things he sees, I thought how hard that must be.
I try to imagine children and women in circumstances so horrific, so dangerous, that the details must be disguised. I try to imagine the constant stress, the moment-to-moment fear, the absolute lack of control.
Can you imagine losing every one of the freedoms you take for granted? Hiding in the shadows? Knowing everything in your world literally belongs to someone else? Can you imagine knowing you have no choices about your labor or your body?
That’s what Jon encounters. I think it would break me, but he’s great at focusing on the victories and successes. Where I see stories of tragedy, Jon reminds me kids are rescued and living in hope and freedom.
He reminds me Jesus is in control.
I don’t know how that works. I believe it, even though I honestly don’t always feel it.
+++
When we started this thing 10 years ago, I knew the facts of our kids’ circumstances. I honestly didn’t have my head wrapped around the horrors our kids endured.
Maybe it would be easier to avoid knowing the details. Just ride my bike in relative comfort, raise funds, and let someone else face the nasty facts.
I don’t want to insulate myself from our kids and the reality of their lives. I want to know, and as much as possible I want you to know.
If we met for lunch I’d share photos, names, and stories. And I’d ask you to keep that info away from the internet.
For now, here’s our web page about the Home of Hope with all the info we can safely share online. I’m working on some stories…more to come.
I’m sad there’s such evil in the world, but let’s stand up to it and face it with Jesus by our side.