in the love of Christ

Last night, as we ate a long awaited dinner with a group of volunteers from our youth program at Hillvue, my husband got a phone call. It was a senior high student asking if Billy new where his friend was.  To preface this, the student ministries got together and went out on a mini-mission trip right here in Bowling Green where they went to a church associated with ours in a neighboring community and had a big party for two days including fun games and treatS but most importantly worship, the gospel message and unconditional love offered to each kid that came. It was truly an amazing experience.  It seemed, after a few more phone calls, that one of the students decided to go spend the night with one of the kids from that neighborhood. Now, there is much more to it than that but we won't get into the sticky details. The problem was, that as we sat at dinner, no one knew where this student had gone.  We all decided not to worry until we knew that there was something to worry about

I just went on a walk. I have been trying to go on frequent walks to get some exercise and relaxation together. It has been great, especially with this weather.  But, as I was walking today, something occurred to me. I currently live about one street away from a rough part of town. However, my location is safe and practically on Western's campus. I never forget that right next door the neighborhoods gets pretty rough. During the day, kids are playing outside and people are walking home with their groceries but, at night, things get weird and no one goes on a walk, that is for sure.  So, when I go on a walk, I walk towards downtown to the pretty scenery and beautiful homes. I walk across town, essentially, for four city blocks and then I am among historic homes and pristine streets.  What struck me today was that it only took four blocks. There are only four blocks between low and high socioeconomic status.  There are only four blocks between the people who need help/hope and the pe