Our first full day in Peru started with a prayer walk. We were told that we would be taken around the city and given different prayer topics and information at each stop along the way. I was looking forward to intentional prayer, some decent exercise and several interesting views of the city.
Our first stop was almost more than I could handle. When I take the time and really focus on God and what He wants, amazing things happen. I entered El Parque de Las Condes (The Park of the Condors) and began walking around the park, past elevated flower beds, trees, a giant bird cage and a complex system of concrete irrigation channels. As I approached the far end of the park, with its now-dry pool surrounding an island reachable by concrete (everything is concrete here) bridge, and its dusty soccer field, I noticed a flyer taped to a pole. "Perrito cocker spaniel perdido." (Lost little cocker spaniel dog.) The flyer was dated February 1. Behind my sunglasses, tears began to well up.
Now I haven't been always been a pet person; in fact I wouldn't say that I am quite one now. I used to do a quiz about Mr. Kuhn to start the school year. One of the questions was, "Does Mr. Kuhn like cats or dogs?" The trick answer was, "No." But now, we have two cats and nine chickens. And I have a wife and three boys who are very attached to those pets. We've experienced loss with animal life taken by a car, various creatures of prey, carelessness, and a horrific event that involves a curious, rambunctious kitten climbing a ladder and jumping from the attic to the garage below. We haven't however, become callous to death or loss of animals. The opposite has happened. We've learned to be as responsible as possible. The boys double check coop doors, they ask if we have made arrangements for someone else to close up the chickens, they wake up in the middle of the night afraid the cats are still out and not in the garage. Their concern has worn off on me. I more than tolerate the pets. I... I... I at least appreciate them... most of the time.
As I stood prayerfully at the pole and read the sign, my thoughts bounced from how my boys would feel over a missing pet, to the despair that some child must be feeling, to how God views each and every Peruvian that walked past that park and every person who walks on this earth. LOST. Lost like the Sheep, Lost like the Coin, Lost like the Son. (Luke 15).
It breaks God's heart.
And it broke mine.
I pray it continues to break mine.
Is your heart broken for those who are lost?
