"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15
As my daughter was drifting off to sleep tonight I sang to her one of our favorite "missionary" songs. Included in the lyrics are the following words:

"My world was small, my neighbors, few,
but now God's love gives me a larger view.
Before the cross, my world extends,
no longer strangers, we're sisters, brothers, friends."

As I reflected later on the words I thought of the sisters, brothers and friends that we've come to love in different parts of the world. Now when we hear news of tsunamis in Asia and flooding in Costa Rica and Southern California I picture the faces of friends. Friends with whom I've prayed and worshipped, friends with whom I've played games and sung silly songs, friends with whom I've shared meals and a cup of coffee, and friends whose names I know and have spoken. I can no longer be numbed by numbers or overwhelmed by the need; I am moved to respond. Be it by prayer, by picking up the phone to call and see how my colleagues and companeros en Cristo are doing, or by writing a check to One Great Hour of Sharing for flood or tsunami relief. If I were there you bet I'd be filling bags with emergency supplies, but since I'm not, I do what I can and use my keyboard to encourage you to do the same.

Even though we don't know the names of every victim touched by tragedy, our loving God knows each one, and has made us family and friends in love. The song ends with these words:

"The Spirit binds, our voices blend,
no longer strangers, we're sisters, brothers, friends."

Please pray for and share with my friends in Costa Rica and throughout the world as they share God's love and light in the midst of pain. That's what families do.

Staying connected in Christ,

Mylinda Baits

For more information about flooding on the Caribbean coast in Costa Rica see: Sixaola Updates under Missionary Journals: Jim and Sara Wiegner