A few Fridays ago we handed out a bag of corn and rice along with oil to each family in the Kisayhip Village. We split up into teams and along with a translator we went into everyone's homes and gave them the elements and we also prayed with them. We told them we are here because we want them to know that God loves them. We also wanted to let them know that Back2Back is building a compound close to their village and we are here to help them. (We will use this future Back2Back compound to host our missionaries and groups that come for a mission trip.) We felt it was important to make an impact on the village so they know we are here to serve them.
We know that we made an impact, but will we really understand how much? Walking away from that village and going back to our house where we have electricity (sometimes), running water and food, I don't think we will. Unless we were completely in their shoes.
I struggled with these feelings of making a difference here, but God has shown me that this is not about me. I may never know how much we are making a difference. I am to be obedient to the calling on my life. I may never get the warm fuzzies. I may never see the benefits of our so called labor here. But, that is ok. God has given me peace and God is right, of course, this isn't about me.
In Isaiah 58 God talks about true fasting. From that scripture I am learning that God sees our hearts and true intentions. He doesn't just want 1 day of fasting. A fasting that is like "ok, I fasted for 1 day, I did my duty, and now I'm done." Our lives are to be lived day in and day out by feeding the hungry, setting free the oppressed, providing shelter for the homeless and clothing the naked. I love the part of the scripture where it talks about what God will do when we fast in such a way. I love it that He goes before me and His glory will be my rear guard. He will answer me when I call and when I do cry out to Him He will say "Here I am".
We are not supposed to live our life for for ourselves. We are supposed to be fasting our own desires. Yes, God has a plan for my life here and He will grow us personally and as a family. We may never know how much we're helping, but what I do know is that God is our protector, our healer and he answers us when we call. That is so much better than a warm fuzzy.
Hi Chris, Angela & Boys
ReplyDeleteHope you are all doing well. Sounds like you are having a very rewarding trip. Just remember that all the little things we do help to make the big difference. One person cannot do it all, but together great things can be achieved. And of course we know that none of us are ever truly alone in God's work. We are praying for you look forward to hearing about your adventures when you return. The blog is great!! Angie
Hi Angela and Chris, I read your June 24 blog and I sat here and cried. I read it to luke. I think it is very mature of you what you said. As humans, we want to see the fruit and success of what we have done, but we may never see it. There is only One who sees what happens from the things we have done and He is the one who matters. I know you may feel discouraged because the need is so great but that is not your burden to carry. The fact that you are there and willing, being a servant, and doing what God told you is what pleases God. The missonaries that I told you about from our church who left to go back to Africa said that the husband would get discouraged because of the great need of the children. He said God had to help him with that and he just tried to be a bright place in their lives and hold them and play with them and help them. It was very difficult for him. When Harry and I used to feed the homeless in Dayton, I would leave very discouraged because their lives were so sad and I felt helpless because I could not do more. It is our job to do what we can and the rest is God's responsibility. We read a book in our connection group by Bill Hybels and he said we are a step in the process and that as long as we do our part we do not have to carry the burden of seeing the whole thing come to fruition. THat is God's responsibility. We may be step 2, for example, out of 10 of seeing someone won to Christ. But God will bring others to do the other steps aong the way. That was a freeing moment for me that I had never heard someone describe it that way before that we have a part to play and we need to be obedient but that the sole responsibility doesn't lie on one person. He needs you for something specific but he has others to accomplish other parts of it. I hope this has encouraged you. We love you and prayed for you last night. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteMichele