Antique places of healing.

"To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. hear the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your holy sanctuary." (Psalm 28)

But, what if the voice heard and hands lifted, are those of the Fathers, in and around our own hearts by the voice of the silent and response of the deaf, living within society's pit? When in an act of mercy we are found helplessly adrift in a sea of Gods own mercy abandoned by any power of our own. Left eye to eye with an equal creation who's final chapter the world has long since written.

Saturday was devoted to an Aids Hospital sat high upon a hill overlooking countryside villages and farms, A 'Special Needs Clinic' residing within a classic cathedral in the heart of Antigua and on the streets of Antigua itself.

We were blessed with the smiles of little faces who's hearts have been scarred by HIV/AIDS within their own small bodies, or the bodies and lives of those who bore them. Skits were acted, swings were swung, finger guns shot, goals scored along with much more atop that countryside hill. Two things for sure, we're not as young as we used to be, and these little lives are precious to our Father.

The special needs clinic is a sight of the abandoned; It's also the sight of some of earths strongest women. Day in and day out these nurses are severely outnumbered in the battle against the infirmities of a broken worlds broken bodies. We were incredibly fortunate to assist in lunchtime feeding of these near and dear to Christ heart. Mere words will never do true justice to the needs of this sanctuary and the truths spoken to our hearts.

Antigua is a city immersed in culture and heritage. From its cobble stone streets to its antique architecture it's a city all its own. We walked the tourist lined streets absorbing much of the old city's culture both old and new. Among its history, much western influence can be seen flanking its foundational roots; from Micky D's to Piccadilly the world has moved in to satisfy the convenience of tourism. It provides a great metaphor to what influences of convenience has moved into the heritage of our Faith.

Not to be forgotten, a great thanks goes out to our Sister, Taylor Ewing, who gave us the grande tour of Casa Shalom'. She's made this her home for many months spending each moment of daylight caring for some of Guatemala's cutest children and infants. Her time spent touring the facility and walking the streets of Antigua was a bonus of a blessing.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers as we move into another day of The Lord.

Chad Towler