"The fundemental modern heresy is

that it is the trees that  move the wind."

                                                   leonard sweet

I learned this again tonight in our recovery group. Listening to stories of pain, shame, grief, progress, joy and hope again reminded me of God's infinite care and wisdom. My recovery is threatened and my walk with Jesus is sidetracked by the above heresy. I'm listening to Peter Gabriel's  song Mercy Street. Our friend Cindy Lafrance wrote us recently of the Shakespeare line "The quality of mercy is not strain'd". Some of you will remember Michelle Shocked song of that title in the soundtrack of Dead Man Walking. Cindy has sent an updated newsletter of the work in Costa Rica. Harvest Hands is the name and they are doing wonderful work among the dispossessed in Anonos. Here's a brief part.

We are close to wrapping up a week with our first big
team.  There are 11- 9 teens and two leaders.  Oh,
they have been a blessing!  These kids are workers,
who love the Lord deeply.  Their devotional life may
put many of us to shame!  As of tomorrow, some of them
will have spent three full days digging dirt out of
the basement of a church here in Anonos. This is such
a witness to the community.  And they want to finish
what they've  started. The pastor of this particular
church plans on making the space into a bathroom and
shower for the addicts and the homeless in Anonos.
Keep the Columbus Vineyard youth group in your
prayers.  May God bless them richly for their hearts!

We also know that prayers are being answered.   The
people of Anonos, at least most that we meet are
hungry, thirsty and expectant.  I think of Isaiah 55,
where the Lord gives an invitation for those who have
no money to come and buy.  Strange, how He says to
come and buy, without money and without cost.  It
sounds like an oxymoron.  What do they use?  How do
you buy wine and milk without money?   

The local government is considering the relocation of
many of the homes in Anonos.  Many of these homes sit
on the steep riverbank and in danger of sliding into
the river, if there was a mudslide.  Also,  there are
all bunched together and if there were a fire, they
would all burn.  It would create great damage and
probably injure many.  Many of the people here are
from Nicaragua and don't have papers.  The one without
papers will be the first to go. 

Continue to keep Rodney and Cindy in your prayers. This is a great work they are doing and we need to support them with our prayers and thoughts.