opportunity for blessing

Recently, I’ve embarked on a very new and unique kind of ministry for myself. Most of my readers know that I have been planning a second missionary trip to a Maasai village in Kenya, Africa. I have been working and stressing over raising funds, planning what activities will go on, researching flights, costs, guest houses, etc. I have been trying to get myself there and get accomplished the supplying of needs, as far as possible on my part. I realize that I cannot do it all, that I won’t be able to once-and-forever solve the need for food, water, education, biblical teaching, etc. I just want to do all that I can, but nothing less.  I don’t want to face the Lord one day and hear Him say, “Good, but you missed this and this and that, and didn’t want to do these.”  I don’t want to hear about what I didn’t do; I don’t want to miss out on the blessing.

 

So when this new need arose, I was at a loss. Having a picture in my mind of doing this work, I had to come to realize that I can’t do it all, even if I wanted to and tried to. There is a worldwide food crisis. I’ve heard about it on the radio, seen an article or two, and here in the U.S., a few food items have gone up in price a couple dimes. In parts of Asia, South America, and especially Africa, the crisis is much more real. People are literally dying. Not just a few small colonies on some sappy “Support the people” infomercial at 3 a.m.; these are real people, working hard 40, 50, or more hours every day. There simply is no food. A large part of this is from lack of rain.

 

When I heard that my friends in Kenya were affected- the ones whose village I’m going to- I was taken off guard. I must admit that I felt ashamed. I never thought hard enough about the need. I just knew it was “out there” and was glad it wasn’t me. Immediately, I decided to do something, but what could I do? This could not wait for my mission trip. I didn’t have enough money on my own to make a difference. I came to the conclusion that the best thing I could do was ask the church. I called my Pastor and explained the situation, asking if I could speak for a few minutes on Sunday about the need. I was advised by another brother that it might be wise to extend the offering for two Sundays, giving people a chance to plan ahead for the next week.

 

So that’s what we did. I printed up a request sheet sent by my friend in Kenya. Sunday, I put a copy in every family’s possession, stood up during the announcements, and shared my heart. We left a basket out until everyone had left. The take- $40, not counting what I put in myself. I wondered if this was a mistake. Did anyone really care about a bunch of starving tribes on the other side of the world? The next Sunday came and went, but I didn’t see what was in the basket. When I picked up the check that week, my heart was heavy. Then I opened the envelope- $1,000.00. I was in awe. I once again had faith in the compassion of the American church. Keep in mind, the congregation is only about 40-50 members.  

 

Everything is different when you know the people helplessly starving. Suddenly, breakfast isn’t so important; you don’t really care what you eat for lunch; and when you throw out what you can’t eat, you feel glad that they aren’t there to see. Suddenly, you notice the running water when you brush your teeth, the cooler with water bottles by the checkout, and the extra five buck in your pocket feels like guilt money. When you know people dying because they don’t have these luxuries, everything changes. This should not be. We should have always cared.

 

I researched a few banks to see who would send for less, and only had to pay a $30 fee in the end. This is part of the email I just received from my contact in Kenya:

 

Dear Brother Justin,
 
The money came through and we were shopping for food here in the city and will be headng to the village tomorrow with a pick-up full of food! This next two weeks, the villages at Oloilalei will be different. The people will be able to work, without having to worry what the children will eat come evening. Please thank all the brethren for their kindness and expression of Christian love. The rains are suppose to be here but and not! We continue to pray and trust God for the rains.

Thank you again for your love and care.
 
Warmly in Christ,
 
Josiah

 

Anyone truly can change a life, make a difference, and save children’s lives. I am so glad that this isn’t about me; its about the goodness of God and His faithfulness, and because of that I truly feel good. Until the next opportunity-

Justin

 

“Every challenge is an opportunity for blessing”