Hope - Ellyn Hunt

Earth. I dig my hands into it as a lay on a blanket in my yard.
Counting the caterpillars crawling on blades of grass, I think about the hot desert sand in Lima. I think about the treasured grass. There are parks there. Beautiful havens of green tucked within a world of poverty. Hope in the midst of hopelessness.

A child was killed a few weeks ago in one of my neighborhoods. On his way to the store to buy some food, he stepped on a hand-made bomb that was left in the park. An hour later, his father cried the bitter tears that can only be understood by a parent who has lost a child. A loss I cannot even image.

My friends live in that neighborhood. Children that I consider my brothers and sisters live there. It could have just as easily been them. I pray to God, ask Him to protect them. I tell them that their steps are ordered by the Lord and that his angels won’t even let them hit their feet upon a rock. We cling to the promises of His word.

I think about the countless hours that I spent in that neighborhood this summer. The games of basketball that I played in that same park. I think about the young boys, all bright eyes and wide smiles and full of passion. They are the prey for the ones who plant the bombs. Young boys who have a future and a hope. They are the ones who are targeted on the streets by the gangs. They are the ones who are afraid. The lucky ones have moms or grandmas who make them come in before the sun goes down.

Sometimes we forget the priceless gift of freedom. Of safety. Of living in the United States.

I don’t want to forget.

The parks are so important. And the hope.

We are fighting for the ones who are left on the streets at night. The ones who don’t have someone waiting for them at home and are on the outside when the lights go out. The ones who breath in glue so that their hunger pains will stop. The ones who are taking drugs before they are old enough to be in middle school. The ones who never get the chance to go to school.

It is hard not to feel helpless from here, but then I remember that God is there with them right now. I remember how much He loves them. I know that God has me here in this place right now, in the United States raising money for these children and for the mission that He has given us.

I read Matthew 26. I read it again. I remember why I named this blog the lily and the sparrow. It was because of God’s provision. His great, incredible, miraculous provision! And His detailed, intimate, beautiful love for every single person. I know that He will provide for the children. I know that He will provide for us during the next 4 months of fundraising. And I know that His plans for you, for us, and for Peru are far greater than I could ever imagine!