like Mount Zion

Sitting in Matt's chair last night, listening to the students singing their way through a late night prayer service for their country, I started out in Psalms, just asking the Lord to give me peace in His Word.

I was instead humbled by Psalm 125.
Those who trust in the Lord
are like Mount Zion ,
which cannot be moved or shaken, 
but abides forever.


As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.


For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest...
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts.
For those who turn aside to crooked ways
Lead them away.


Peace be upon us.


I must admit that those who view me have not seen a mountain of trust in the Lord.

As the second year guys and I worked through this chapter this morning, we talked about what it MEANS to be a mountain.  Unchanging. Firm.  Unswayed by rain, wind, storms, violence, fire.  Those who trust in the Lord will be like the mountain.

So if those who trust in the Lord are like trees and waves and flowers, thrown about by every wind, prone to worry, gossip and fear, then why would others come to put their trust in Him?

I am so thankful that He doesn't ask us to trust Him on our own strength, but promises to HELP us trust Him if it is what we truly desire.

Grateful, this morning, to be surrounded on all sides by Him.

Continued violence throughout Northern Haiti has everyone just staying home.  Since about 80% of our student body is stranded here anyway, we are continuing on with classes.  Matt is covering for all kinds of professors, and would appreciate your continued prayers.  Our retreat in the Dominican tomorrow has obviously been cancelled, and Matt would have been unable to leave the Seminary so understaffed, anyway.

I must admit that we are a little disappointed...we had been excited about "getting away" for a few days, enjoying the food and rest of "Sosua by the Bay" and having no cooking or dishes or laundry or papers to grade or decisions to make or, well, Cholera, for a few days.  Maybe next year!

Meanwhile, I am thankful that we are all safe, that our students' families and staff are all safe in their homes, and am INCREDIBLY thankful for Dorothy and John.

Gertha was unable to leave her home this morning, so Bubba and Dodo were on babysitting duty.  They made play-doh dinosaurs and watched Elmo, and continue to help me while I'm feeling terrible by having us over for suppers, bringing over cookies and bread, continue to take great care of the Cooper's while they are here and teaching, helping out where they can....I've just been so incredibly blessed by their friendship these past weeks...I do not know WHAT we would be doing without them.

Please continue to pray for good health for Haiti, peace and safety.

Thursday is a major holiday here in Haiti, so we are hearing rumors that perhaps Thursday will bring an end to riots.  (No one wants to be locked indoors for a holiday or for the weekend.)  Praying that this will be the case!

We'll keep you posted!  Thank you for your continued prayers!