Weary and Burdened

Heartbroken. Lonely. Degraded. Hopeless. These are all words I would use to describe the women I met at Emerald City. Their eyes were hollow and I struggled to keep my emotions in check as I listened to their stories. Abandoned by their families at a young age. Abused physically and sexually by men who claimed to love them. Told to their faces almost daily that they are worthless . . . “expendable people”. It seemed obvious to me that, over time, they had come to believe those words were true.

I must admit that when I left Emerald City I felt depressed. I had never sat across from someone so broken and hurting. What did I possibly have to offer these women whose lives are completely different from mine? My struggles would seem like cotton candy to them. It was there, in the moment of my helplessness, that God opened my eyes. He showed me that I do have something to offer them . . . hope! The hope that there is an escape from their pain. A Savior who longs to rescue them. To show these unloved, unwanted women that they are loved, they are wanted. So much so that their Savior willingly chose to die on a cross for THEM! He gave up his life so they could have new ones – filled with all the love, joy and peace they’ve been searching for.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” That is what these women need! Please pray for them! They need you to intercede! Jesus longs to rescue them and he wants you and me to be a part of it!

-Kim Burkett