Susie, Sara, Saints, and Singing.

I spent the weekend in northeastern Pennsylvania, soaking up the goodness of the clean country air, time with an old college friend, and the reflections from a one day women's conference. Author Susie Larson, and musician Sara Groves joined together to promote their respective books and music, as well as a cause close to both of their hearts: international and personal justice. They spoke at length about the work the International Justice Mission is doing to create awareness of injustice in the world, and to work as an advocate for those without a voice.

To end the conference Sara Groves presented a song from her album, Tell Me What You Know, inspired by a trip she took to Rwanda. I identified so strongly with what Sara shared, and felt that strange mix of joy and responsibility when you awaken to a new understanding of an idea you thought you already understood. While Sara sang a slideshow of images played behind her (similar to the ones below). And, when she'd finished singing about those saints marching in, I don't think there was a dry eye in the room.

"Much of what I had done before along the lines of service was guilt induced. When I would hear a horrific story, I would want to respond quickly, write a check, and be done with it. But I have met many incredible people who are responding with their lives, and that has exposed something in me. I have been given a lot of joy in life, but I’ve also missed something. All of my life I have been grooming my faith, but have missed something about the purpose of that grooming. If I understand scripture at all, I have to know that to enter into the suffering of the poor and the oppressed is to know Christ and his suffering."

i see the long quiet walk along the underground railroad
i see the slave awakening to the value of her soul


i see the young missionary and the angry spear
i see his family returning with no trace of fear

i see the long hard shadows of calcutta nights
i see the sister standing by the dying man's side

i see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
i see the man with a passion come kicking down the door

i see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
i see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

and when the Saints go marching in
i want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
i want to be one of them

-When The Saints, Sara Groves
All photos from the Internet.