The Triumphal Entry

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21:1-11)

Our Sunday church service at Ganapavarum was a beautiful time of fellowship and praise as we celebrated the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. As three autos full of children approached the village we stopped and got out at its entrance. From there, we walked through the streets, waving brightly decorated palm branches and singing songs of praise to our Savior. We walked around the entire village, collecting our village children friends as we went along. With Shantu Rhagu tightly clenching one hand and Mahdu the other, I praised God that He has given these boys the hope of Jesus Christ. They might not have shoes, or many clothes, or go to school, but they have the joy of the Lord. Their eyes light up when they see us -- they know that in the body of Christ they can find refuge.

As we settled down in the church, a woman brought me her newborn baby girl and laid her in my arms. She has a two year old son as well. I've been laying hands on them and praying for them for the past few weeks as she prepared to deliver her baby. They are a beautiful family. As I held her week old baby girl in my arms, the smile would not leave my face, but inside, my heart was broken. I thought about her life, about what her childhood would be like, about what type of woman she would grow into. I wondered if she would go to school and play with other kids or if she would make it past her fifth birthday. I wondered if she would become a servant girl or a prostitute or be married off by age thirteen. I prayed that God's spirit would enter her at a young age, that the love of Christ would be her rock among shifting sand. I prayed for hope in the midst of such great darkness. I prayed for healing.

She is HIV positive.

It is a precious gift God has given me to be a part of the lives of the children and families in Ganapavarum. I am blessed each time I see them to be called their big sister, their granddaughter, their friend. These are the type of people Jesus came to earth to serve -- the orphans, the widows, the weak, and the desperate.

Lord, I want to be desperate for you.

"At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:25-30)