Berlin: Post 1

Not really day one because it's Monday and we've been here since Saturday so post one will work.

When I started praying and thinking about going to Berlin Isaiah 61 was a verse that was heavy on my heart. And it's been a verse that's floated in and out of my mind for a couple of weeks.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."

It's been one of my favorite passages of Scripture for a couple of years now. So last night we walked around parts of Berlin to observe the sex industry and prostitution in the area. As we walked I was just sad. What had happened in these girls lives that had brought them to a life of prostitution. I think back to my blogs about speaking potential and life into others and women and I couldn't help but wonder where people had been careless with these girls lives.I was sad, near tears, and I felt helpless. What could I do? How could I help? But through it all, as I was praying while waling down these streets Isaiah 61 kept running through my head.

We were on the train between streets and I wrote this little poem.

"These words hold me hostage to this feeling of emptiness. This deep sense of sadness is haunting me. What can I say? How can I be a light in this dark corner of the world? You came to bring change. To bind the broken-heart and free the captive. How am I supposed to be your hands and feet...