I remember when the Beautiful Gate campus in Lesotho was just a small tree and two ponds. And now as Patty and I joined in the festivities of their 25th Anniversary how the property has been beautifully transformed into a multi-building campus. Truly a place where heaven and earth somehow intersect with the shalom of God.

One of the speakers at the anniversary was Sue Haakonsen, whose heart birthed this care center for abandoned babies. Over 25 years ago she was confronted with abandoned babies left at the local hospital and was compelled in her spirit to do something about it. Sue would have never dreamed of how providing a home for a handful of babies would lead to well over 600 children ministered to and cared for, many reunified and others adopted both locally and internationally.

After Sue shared I looked out at the first building constructed on the campus, The River Chapel. I will never forget Ray, Sue’s husband, saying the first building on the campus needs to be a chapel, dedicating the property to the LORD and showing our complete dependence on Him in this faith journey. How faithful the Father has been in doing the impossible.

The painting on the outside of the chapel is a cross with a river flowing out of it. How perfectly it preaches to how the Kingdom of Heaven comes to earth through the gift of a Wounded Savior whose blood was poured out to bring physical and spiritual orphaned children into a forever family.

Sue and Ray, and so many others who followed them, gave out of the amazing grace given to them. When Sue first heard the need she acted out of the loving compassion of Christ in her and a spring of heavenly love began to flow. That spring, in just a few short years, would flow into a River of love which not only covered children with the Father’s love but would flood many nations with an encounter of the Kingdom of Heaven breaking forth on the grounds.

I know my family and I would never be the same were it not for the Heaven we experienced at Beautiful Gate in Lesotho. I was reminded again as we gathered together to sing, dance and celebrate all that the faithful Father has done.  How important it is to live daily before the cross of Christ, out of the heart of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-a gift of love has been given. Because of Jesus we have a forever family and called sons and daughters who  are invited to live in the glorious love of heaven which has entered into our hearts.

Praise God that Sue was willing to head to the hospital and lovingly hold babies because she was held by her loving Heavenly Father. This is how heaven comes to earth. A spring of love is released from people of the Cross, and the river of heaven begins to flow through their hearts,

Take some time today and meditate on the gift of the Cross. Just as the water and blood poured out of the pierced side of Jesus, let His love cover you today. Praise the Father for His perfect love that forgives all your sins and makes you His child forever. Perhaps pray this part of the Lord’s prayer asking the Holy Spirit to bring His Kingdom into your heart and grant you the power to do His will, whatever that may look like for you. It may not be holding and caring for abandoned babies, but there most certainly is someone who needs to see heaven come to earth through you.

“Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…”