Rich Dixon invites us to meet some friends:

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This photo is the Barrett family on the day of the FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC.

Jon & Jennifer invited this entire group – kids, mom & dad, brother, nieces & nephews – to travel from Springfield, Missouri to join us. They ranged in age from Jon’s parents to munchkins. Everybody rode and had a blast.

Except – Jon isn’t in the picture. As I told you last time, he had to skip the ride to deal with a crisis involving women and children in the same area where our kids live.

I share this to remind us of the danger surrounding our kids even after they’re rescued, the tenuous nature of their existence within perverted political and social structures. We like to think they’re safe, mostly because it makes us feel good. The sad truth is they exist on the margins, subject to the whims of frequently corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, landlords, and law enforcement officials.

Project Rescue can’t always control what happens to these kids. Not really.

This isn’t very encouraging or inspiring. In fact, it could be downright depressing.

But Jesus… holds these kids in his hands. He cares for them more deeply than we can possibly understand. He guides and sustains the missionaries and staff members.

Personally, I’d prefer the Rambo approach. Gather a posse, bust down the doors, and take out the bad guys.

But Jesus… says that’s not the way. He asks us to think long-term, to do difficult stuff like loving and forming relationships with the traffickers, to do rescue and restoration his way.

I’m guessing you’re like me. We don’t like relinquishing control, especially when we think we see a better, easier, shorter path.

But Jesus…

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Side note – Jon’s family promised to harass him endlessly (once the crisis is handled and the stress abates) for inviting them to a bike ride and then not bothering to show up. Because that’s part of how families love each other.