Reality and Hope

Some thoughts after reading this article:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/08/17/burned.beauticians.ap/index.html

I have read stories about women in certain countries who have been victims of acid attacks or been doused with petroleum and set on fire. These attacks may be due to an unhappy husband or family member who is angry with their wife/daughter/sister, a father who does not want a daughter, or are acts of violence directed at women and children, which is not uncommon in these countries.

I had a dream about a month ago. I was at school and realized that there was a fire coming. I was at the far end of the classroom near a door. At the other far end of the classroom, there was another door, and through its window I could see the fire fast approaching. The classroom was a science lab, and there were many students and professors hard at work at their desks and using microscopes. I started yelling at them, to get out, that the fire was coming, couldn't they see it? No one would listen, everyone kept working, harder and with more focus it seemed, instead of running from the fire! One guy did get up and walked out, but did not help me warn the others. I realized the fire was too close now, and I had to get out or I too would burn. So I started running out, and as I did, the room exploded. In my dream, I woke up and my face was burned and scarred, but I was alive, and it seemed time had passed since the explosion. There was no regret in my feelings in the dream, no desperation, just a quiet, still peace. I knew I wasn't living for this world, and somehow it didn't matter that I was disfigured and scarred. I had done what I knew had to be done, and that was to warn others. I ran to a room and there were many people I recognized, and some of them seemed to pity me. I told them not to pity me, because I had done what our Father told me to do.

My faith is greater in my dreams than in real life I think. Or maybe it is because God gives the strength and peace when we most need it.

Now, back to the article. For these women, any chance they had for a "normal" life in their country is now gone. They cannot marry, many are blinded from the attack, and often cannot take care of themselves and must rely on family or on someone to care for them. There are organizations that send in plastic surgeons and people who donate to give these women jobs and opportunities in their countries. But what of the hope, the only Living Hope, that is Jesus? Who is to tell them of Him? My heart aches as I pray for these women. Maybe it is because I am unsure of what to pray.

Father, I pray for a Your mighty work be done in these women's lives, and for your eternal hope to enter their hearts. May your love cross boundaries that we cannot cross, and show us how You would like us to be involved in Your work. We praise You, You are good and faithful, a loving father, and a wonderful Savior.