January 2008 Update

Dear Friends and Family,

St. Louis is a wonderful city with an incredibly rich history. It speaks loudly through large brick buildings which have been the backdrop of life here for nearly 100 years or more, many built with painstaking attention to detail including intricate stone and iron work as decoration. My long-time love of architecture has been well fed since moving here. I love to drive through the older sections of the city which have been well cared for and carefully preserve the historical significance of this “Gateway to the West.”

My neighborhood was once a quite affluent section of town boasting beautiful architectural works, too. The houses that remain are large and maintain hints of the extravagant nature with which they were built. However, the face of this community has changed much in the past fifty years and today about 28% of the houses are vacant. Others are crumbling from the wear and tear of time and weather. Keeping old homes in good condition takes much work and money, a luxury most of my neighbors cannot afford.

Driving home one day I passed a beautiful old building. From the front the structure was seemingly perfect–not a brick out of place, all the windows intact. But viewing from another angle told a different story. The entire rear wall had crumbled into piles of rubble and the destruction was edging closer and closer to the front facade along the sides of the building.

I felt such sadness viewing this site. What was once a gorgeous work of art had been reduced to a dangerous eyesore. And it struck me: we are surrounded by brokenness, even if it is sometimes well hidden from sight.

I detect the ravages of sin more here than anywhere I ever have before. People are hurting in my community and the longer I live here, the more I see their pain. They struggle daily with abandonment, addiction, lack of resources, poor education, violence, crime, and abuse. It can be overwhelming to witness, much less experience. Many days my heart is sore from hurting so long for so many.

Recently, though, I was reminded of how wonderful heaven will be. The Lord will prepare for us a place of peace, security, blessings, freedom, and deliverance in the time to come. (Ezekiel 34:25-27) These promises give such hope! Oh how I long for a place where there will be no more tears, no more death, no more pain! I also long for everyone I meet to know of such a place! And until we are there I am comforted that “the LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:8)

Thank you for praying for me as I share the hope I have with those who need to hear.

Serving in the city,

Beth