Hello again from Santiago.

It is yet again a beautiful day, and folks are back out at three work sites . It is good to be here and to be working. But I can tell that the physical strain of working so hard and the emotional strain of being away from home is beginning to wear on folks a little. Pray for increased stamina, encouragement of heart, and great joy today!

Yesterday the painters worked really hard. And the folks at La Colonia had a great day of work and a lot of fun with the Vacation Bible School we held for the kids. The folks at Camp David also worked really hard. As we clear the land, it lets the folks at Alfa y Omega have a better view of the land. Thus they’ll be able to see the landscape and better sketch drawings for the design of Camp David.

This morning some of our seniors gathered their peers early for prayer before breakfast, and they led the prayer time. A group of guys met early around the pool to pray for the day and the Guatemalans. And a group of girls met up overlooking the lake to pray. As I scanned the faces of the dozen or so girls who’d gathered early to pray (when we’re all already really tired), I was encouraged about the next generation and the church. Statistics and stories we hear on the news don’t bring us much encouragement. But here I get to get a glimpse of what this generation can do as the next generation of leaders in the church, and I have tremendous hope.

Our daily devotionals this week are based on a book by C.J. Mahaney called The Cross Centered Life. Every day the students read a chapter in the book (they are short) and study a Scripture passage centered on the cross. Sterling shared with me that she is excited to see God answering her prayers because some of the things she’s been praying about recently are what is being covered in the devotional times. Today’s devotional hits on lots of verses about the cross: Isaiah 53:3-6, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 5:6-11, Romans 8:32-39, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 2:21 and exhorts us to memorize some of them. So I’ll pass along that challenge to you.

A few days ago we sang a song about the cross that greatly encouraged me so I’ll close with those words.

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Jesus, I stand in awe again at what my sin cost and how great Your sacrifice was. The vast chasm between Your majesty and my sinfulness makes me realize anew how great Your grace really is. Praise you for the cross.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Kathy Harrelson
High School Director at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas