March Against FARC

Today, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the center of Medellin to participate in a march against the kidnappings of the FARC (the guerrilla). Recently 11 political figures were killed after being held for about five years. There response to the public was that they were really sorry that they had to do that, but that it was ultimately the governments fault for not making a deal with them.
Colombians from all over the nationed wore white and went to publically protest.
Six of us from the base participated.
I have never experienced anything like it. It was so moving. Hearing the cries of the people- calling out for freedom...freedom from the kidnappings, freedom from living in fear, freedom from those that are currently held captive.
As I marched with thousands of people, all I could think about was the Israelites in their captivity in Egypt. It says over and over again that God heard the cry of his people. I am sure that God was moved by what He saw today.
A famous latin singer (Juanes) was there and sang part of a song that he wrote with the following lyrics
"I dream of freedom for those that are kidnapped in the middle of the jungle and I dream of peace in the middle of a bloody nation and with the end of this unjust war."
But I couldn't see him because my vision was blocked by signs the face of a young man who had been kidnapped just weeks ago...
http://picasaweb.google.com/home March Against Kidnapping

Back to School

Hooray! We have officially begun the second semester of school.

I am blissfully happy to report that I am working with the Intrduction to Biblical Counseling as a pastora! Yeah!! We are already off to a great start. The girls are very open and I can just sense all that God wants to do in their lives. I feel very expectant.

And the DTS is going well, too. They have a really great group. The atmosphere is totally different than the last school. It is calm. Way more peace.

And what better way to start off the semester than with RACHEL'S FAMILY coming to visit. I finally got to meet her parents and was able to see Abby. Love them. I felt like my own family was here.