Yes, I've been away for a LONG time. Among other things, my church sent me for a time on a mission to the state of Michoacán, Mexico. This is one of the most violent places in Mexico with multiple drug cartels gunning each other down in a turf war, and all of them battling the Mexican government. And innocent people are being caught up in this meat grinder. As usual, the most innocent and vulnerable are bearing the brunt: The very young, the very old, the impoverished, the disabled. I also sponsor children in Africa and the story is nearly the same: Armed thugs running most of the countryside while people wait to die either in stupid gun battles or in the huge famine wracking the continent. Are there no more great nations? Are there no great leaders? Many of us have shed tears for the plight of the people, but it is not enough. So pray for them, pray as you never have before. And do what you can to make the so-called leaders of our nations see this as an issue they can no longer ignore.

---

Image © 2011 by Larry Hodge