Leidy called at 7 p.m. to see if her mama was at our house. She said she’d been missing since about 8 a.m. and no one seemed to know where she was. Leidy’s teen-age daughters were crying for their grandmother. We all spent a prayerful night not knowing where our friend Denys was. As Leidy began checking with hospitals the following morning, Denys made contact and we all rejoiced that she was safe. It could have ended so much differently!
When the ordeal was over, I was reminded of the parable of the Good Shepherd. God is not satisfied knowing that
most
of His sheep are safe! He will go out and search for the very last one in order to save it! And He expects no less of us!
Although we were all home most of the past month handling a lot of administrative issues and providing mentoring to several members of our team, anyone who has tried to contact us at home yesterday or today probably thinks we are missing too. We traveled nearly 21 hours yesterday to arrive in the Pacific Northwest for partnership building. If you are in the area, please come and see us at one of the churches listed on the schedule and/or let us know when we can meet with you.
We would appreciate your prayers for this season of travel…and continue to pray for Denys, Leidy and the people of Medellín. The neighborhood where Denys and Leidy live is gang-ruled. Too many people in that neighborhood never return home! In fact, throughout the city, gang activity and murders on the up-tick this year. Thursday’s newspaper said there have already been 300 murders this year…and increase of nearly 20% over last year.
We trust that the Good Shepherd is seeking out the lost. He is healing their wounds and bringing about transformation. We know this is not only true in Medellín, where we live, but it is true throughout all of Latin America and the world. Together we serve a great God! Thanks for your investment in our ministry and in God’s “sheep” throughout the region.
Many blessings,
Ricardo, Beth, Juliana & Jonathan
