Great Quotes — Eight

Three really great quotes!

John wrote the book of Revelation to comfort believers who were looking persecution squarely in the face.  He also writes to us today, who are squarely looking at the death of Christendom.  Understanding his purpose in writing is not a matter of decoding or solving some complex mystery as much as it is a matter of simply listening to the Spirit.  – Michael Card, Joy in the Journey

While David knelt at the brook, the world was bounded on one side by an arrogant and bullying people of Philistia and on the other by the demoralized and anxious people of Israel…No one could have guessed that the young man picking stones out of the brook was doing the most significant work of the day…David kneeling, unhurried and calm, opened up another option:  God, God’s ways, God’s salvation.   — Eugene H. Peterson, God’s Message for Each Day, 11/4

We mostly spend [our] lives conjugating three verbs:  to Want, to Have, to Do.  Craving, clutching, and fussing on the material, political, social, emotional, intellectual — even on the religious plane, we are kept in perpetual unrest:  forgetting that none of these verbs have any ultimate significance except so far as they are transcended by and included in the fundamental verb, to Be:  and that Being, not wanting, having and doing, is the essence of life.         — Evelyn Underhill

Amazing Video Footage

This is an amazing interview with formerly sponsored children.  Listen to their accounts of what it’s like growing up in poverty.  Hear how Compassion is moving forward against the tragedy of poverty.  In my opinion, these Moody Scholars are some of the finest young people you will find anywhere in the world.

In case you missed the rest of the interview, you can view it here — One, Two, Three!

A Sacred Moment

So many of us have been touched by this video of Jimmy Wambua meeting his sponsor.  If you haven’t seen it, you should take a few minutes to view it — the part with Jimmy begins at 3:45.  You can view it by clicking here:

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment

I want to tell you more of the story, because I had an opportunity to talk to Jimmy about this.

I asked him how it came about that his sponsor chose him.  He said that the sponsor (in Canada) had gone to a church where an Advocate was sharing about Compassion International.  He walked up to the table afterwards and looked across over 50 child packets, and his eyes rested on Jimmy.  Something in his eyes seemed to say, “I want to live.  But I don’t know how.”  Then he chose to sponsor him.

At this point in our conversation, Jimmy said to me, “It was at the same time I was roaming the streets eating from dumpsters hoping someone would stop and rescue me from the situation.  God, in a still voice, must have heard my voice and sent for help in Canada.”

I truly believe this is what happened.  God was behind it, and it is a “miracle story.”  Jimmy has since completed not only prep school but also a college degree in Compassion’s Leadership Development Program.  He was then chosen for Compassion’s Moody Scholar program, which allows him to attend Moody Bible Institute for a Master’s degree.  He will then return to his country of Kenya, with his God-given vision of helping youth, identifying leaders, directing them to God, giving them the support and training they need, and literally bringing change to his country.  I’m so pleased to have met this really fine young man.  Thank you, dear sponsor, for making that decision to support Jimmy.

If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact me or go to this website; your life will be forever changed, and another child will begin his journey to whatever purpose and potential God has planned for his/her life. Also, if you let me know, I’ll notify Jimmy so he can be encouraged that his witness has brought more children the help they need.

Forever Changed

At the Advocate’s Conference, we had the great privilege of listening to Tony Beltran – Moody Scholar for Compassion International — share about the ways Compassion impacted his life as a formerly sponsored child.  He shared three tools that God used to influence his life, and I’d like to share them with you.  I wish I could share some of the humor he expressed as he shared these points; he has a great sense of humor.  Fortunately, a video of Tony speaking at another event can be viewed here.

1. God used poverty to teach him a lot.  He shared that God redeemed the very worst parts of his life in order to shape his life.  For instance, he recalled one day when his Christian family was sitting around the dinner table.  His father was praying and thanking God for providing for them; but there was no food to put on the table.  Tony was a little angry that his father was praying in this way.  But when the prayer ended, a neighbor came to the door with plantains for their dinner, not even realizing that the family had nothing to eat.
2. God used Compassion to change his life.  Tony’s sponsors changed his life by writing to him and building up his self esteem.  He never once received a letter from his sponsor from the ages of 7-14, but at that time, he received a new sponsor/family.  All seven members wrote to him at once, and he was elated!  Through the years, they continued to tell him they believed in him, that he could do well in school, that he mattered to them and to God.  This transformed his life and gave him a reason to study hard, to live a life of integrity, and to seek to reach his highest potential in Christ.  This family had made a sacrifice on his behalf:  they had decided that Tony was worth more than a new phone line into the house, and that changed everything for him.
3. God used Tony to help his family and the children of his community.  Tony’s entire family is out of poverty now.  He also works with teenagers, sharing the love of Christ and instilling hope, faith and motivation in their lives.  God is developing these precious lives for His glory.

Thank you, dear friend Tony, for sharing your life story with us.  I know many, many others will be affected by your life, not only as you study for your Master’s Degree here in the states, but also as you return to your country to be a shining light for Jesus.

Great Quotes — Seven

It’s time to update you on some of the ways God has used my word recently — the word is “Hold.”  I’m amazed to see all the uses of this word.  Here are more of the quotes and scriptures I’ve jotted down in my “Hold” notebook.

He gives the childless woman a household, making her the joyful mother of children.  Hallelujah!  –Psalm 113:9 [HCSB]

He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  – Proverbs 2:7-8 [NIV SB]

So he left them with the King of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.  – 1 Samuel 22:4  [NIV SB]

Sometimes He holds us close and lets the wind and waves go wild…Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child. — Scott Krippayne

A Christian is a person who decides to face and live through suffering…No glib smart answers.  No lectures on our misfortunes…No hasty Band-Aid treatments covering up our trouble so the rest of society doesn’t have to look at it.  None of that:  the suffering is held up and proclaimed — and prayed.  – Eugene H. Peterson, God’s Message for Each Day

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  – Isaiah 41:13 [NIV SB]

I know that everything that God allows to come our way is with a purpose and all we have to do is hold on to God and have faith. — Letter from Mary Jane, LDP student in the Philippines

Fall Spring Storm

I know you think I meant to say “Fall Winter Storm,” but this is more typical of the type of snow we would get in the spring, after all the flowers have started coming up.  Wet, heavy — but not usually destructive — snow.  It was a freak storm for us though — besides being much too early, I’ve never seen this many trees and branches down in all these years — nearly every single yard in town.  I’ll let the photos speak for themselves (click to enlarge).

Got Any Free Time?

What do LDP students do with their free time?  Well, that’s assuming they have any — with the large load of classes, leadership curriculum and family responsibilities they have.  I’m always amazed to receive letters from the leadership students I correspond with, and to hear what they’re doing to minister to others.  Here are some excerpts from recent letters:

In our youth ministry, I’m glad to tell you that we are doing better with our youth activity called YM ["Youth & Me"].  We have this activity every Sunday after our youth service in the evening.  We motivate the young people by having enjoyable games and by giving some tokens to those who have no absences.  We’re very glad because we grew in numbers and are hoping more souls will come to seek God.  We have also our small group after the game.  During our small group, we used the Serendipity Bible for our discussion time and also we pray for each other.  – Mary Jane, Philippines

I also lead the kid’s ministry in our church named “HUGS” every 3rd and 4th Sunday of the month…I’m so blessed with their lives because they have the passion to lead other kids and passion to serve God though they’re still young.  Truly, it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an adult in serving God.  I praised God for the gifts and skills He had given to me and I will use them forever to serve Him for His broader kingdom.  – Mary Jane, Philippines

There is a cell group at church and I’m able to join it on Saturday evenings.  The members are mostly new believers.  I have part in helping lead songs, games, and share the Word.  Many neighbors around the area give interest and join the cell group because they are able to experience God’s love through the life of the house owner.  – Siriporn, Thailand

Recently, our church set up a cell group for each village called “Father Love.”  Each group has 20 people.  I join the Saturday team to evangelize.  God really blesses our team.  Many people are interested and some of them accepted Jesus Christ to their life.  – Siriporn, Thailand

On Saturday afternoons, I sing in the choir at church and then we have a meeting of the youth group.  I am a youth leader.  As I am attending college, I have to be a leader who is not there always but a leader who cares about their young friends.  I think up new ideas of how to teach the word of God to young people.  I get along well with my pastors and we work together to extend God’s kingdom.  On Sunday, my church family gathers together at 4 a.m. and we pray for our community.  We praise God and we pray blessings on our families.  We serve God and we break any chains that separate us from God.  – Luis, Columbia

Inspiring Letters

What is it like writing to an LDP student and receiving their letters?  I’ll tell you — it’s delightful!

They are already such strong leaders in their communities; they’ve proven their academic excellence and spiritual depth.  Receiving letters from students like this enriches my life.  But I’ll let some of the excerpts from letters speak for themselves:

Prayers

I greet you in the name of our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray that the blessing and grace of God will be with you today and every day.  Please, give my love to your family.  I pray that God will bless them and pour out rich blessings on them.  My family says hello!  They pray many blessings for you and your family.   — Luis, Columbia

May God bless you and your family to be healthy.  May God give you strength on the serving work.  I will always pray for you.  – Siriporn, Thailand

Before I head myself to college, I read The Bible and I pray.  I thank God for life and His love for me.  I also thank Him for being faithful to me.  I pray that I do well in all that I do and I remember that everything works well for those who love God.  – Luis, Columbia

I pray that God continues to bless you through His word.  I want to know that I love you so much.  I pray every day that our Heavenly Father will bless you and your family and keep you all safe.  Even though I haven’t met you, this is the beginning of a strong and beautiful friendship.  I thank God for bringing you into my life.  – “A happy young man,” Luis, Columbia

May God open the heaven’s gate and pour out the blessings upon you and your family!  – Mary Jane, Philippines

Praise and Thanksgiving

Every day in our life is a blessing from above.  We should praise God because He is an awesome God.  In my devotionals I learned that each problem we face and any circumstance, is an opportunity to learn something new and an opportunity to get closer to God.  Praise God!  We should learn from our problems and mistakes.  – Luis, Columbia

Thank God for always blessing me.  Because of God, I can have a chance to know about His love through your kind supporting.  I am proud and I am very glad to have a chance to know you.  All Compassion children always feel glad to receive and read the letters from their sponsors. Let me send the thankfulness from all children that you write them letters.  I believe that they are very glad like me when they read your letters.  Let me send my thankfulness to the Compassion staffs to give us the chance to read your letters too.  – Siriporn, Thailand

Thank you very much for being my Correspondent.  I am so grateful for this blessing.  I will do my best in my studies and in my ministries and I will assure you that you will be updated about the developments in my life.  – Mary Jane, Philippines

Inspiration

A lot of stressful school work and it seems that time is running so fast but I don’t try to do it all my own way because I let God do it His own way and I know He will change things in my favor.  I know that everything God allows to come our way is with a purpose and all we have to do is to hold on to God and have faith.  – Mary Jane, Philippines

I am glad to be in the Leadership Development Program LDP.  We have learned good things.  Recently I learned that I should value my family.  I am developing my God-given talents.  I am learning how to be a good leader and a good servant of God.  I got a nice book from the project… This book is a great blessing to us.  We also got a beautiful Bible.  This Bible has attachments that help us understand better the word of God.  I love my new Bible.  This has been one of the best gifts I’ve ever had.  In the LDP I will become a better leader.  – Luis, Columbia

One thing I have learned from God is how to get along happily whether I have much or little.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation because God is enough to cover everything.  – Mary Jane, Philippines

God is always loving and good.  I’m so thankful for his grace and kindness to lead you as my sponsor.  It means a lot to my life.  I’m very proud of you that you are so generous to help the other children in the project as well.  Those children are very poor and needy.  The LDP leader training program taught me and showed me how these children are living.  I was trained to be their representative.  It’s the work of God to find sponsors for these children.  – Siriporn, Thailand

Isn’t that encouraging?  I tell you, it’s a blessing to correspond with these outstanding young men and women of God!  If you would like to sponsor an LDP student, please click here. There are many awaiting a sponsor right now!

Sad News

We received the saddest news this week. The 6-month-old daughter of our friends, Peter and Sarah Damaska, passed away from a massive brain tumor on Tuesday. They had only known about it for a couple of days (and of her illness for about 10 days), so the loss was real sudden as well. Two older children also grieve the loss of little Annie Jane — William and Kate.  Please keep this family in your prayers.  Peter’s father was our Pastor here for many years — please keep the grandparents in your prayers as well.

Imagine my satisfaction to read that contributions in Annie’s memory are to go to Compassion International.  This is how Peter worded it on Facebook:  ”If you are interested in donating in honor of our Annie we’d love to have you send to Compassion International.  They have loads of unsponsored children in need of basic necessities, schooling and people who will love them and point them toward Christ.”  How awesome is that?  In Annie’s memory, many other children will be helped.  If you would like to contribute to the fund, please click here for the memorial.

Here are some more pictures from this sweet family that I love so dearly.  Peter is a Pastor in Michigan, and writes a sweet blog called “Peanut Butter & Jam” with his wife, Sarah.  I just had to go back and re-read all the entries they’d written since Annie’s birth.  What a precious family, and I know that God will be sufficient for all their needs.  Peter said they were at peace about this, but I know the emotions will be difficult to control in the months ahead.  I also know for certain that God will continue bringing them to our minds when they are in need of prayer.

Thank you so much for your donations in Annie’s memory.  It is truly appreciated.

A worship service will be held in a big tent beside the church tomorrow, followed by a picnic — children are welcome.  What a fitting way to remember this sweet little life that has touched so many already.

If you would like to set up a memorial in honor of someone you love, you may do so as well at this site.

Moonflowers — Worth the Wait

There’s something really special about these flowers.  Have you ever seen one?  I don’t know what the correct term for them is, but we just call them “Moonflowers”  because they bloom at night.

I first learned about these beautiful flowers from my dear friend, Vera.  I was walking by one evening and she was standing there looking at this plant, and I asked what she was doing.  She said, “Waiting to see the flowers open.”  I laughed and teased her a bit — it was sort of like waiting to see water boil.  True.  But worth the wait, she told me.  I ended up standing there with her looking like an idiot.  But she was right — it was definitely worth the wait, and we spent many other evenings watching the flowers open.  It’s amazing to see them open instantly and spectacularly all on their own.  It’s like fast motion photography.  I could hardly believe my eyes.  Then there’s another gift in store — as soon as they open, they emit a wonderful, sweet scent — sort of like honey.

Well, it didn’t take me long to ask for seeds to plant in my own yard.  ”They never come up in the same place from year to year,” she said.  ”You just don’t know where they’re going to show up.”  She was right about that too.  As a family, we spent many years watching the moonflowers open, often with neighbors or friends who came for the spectacle.  But, unfortunately, we hadn’t had one now for a few years.

Imagine my delight to see that one had managed to survive along our front walkway!  Now it was time to share the moment with friends, which we did recently.  They thought we were crazy.  It was sort of a crazy evening, because our daughter had set her watch to ring when the International Space Station went over (which was twice).  I also had my alarm set to see the Moonflowers open.  We all kept running outside in the midst of our game.  Although the Space Station was right on schedule, the flowers were not.  We waited at least 1/2 hour.  You can’t take your eyes off the plant or you might miss it.  We only had one bloom to see that night.  But we saw it.  Wow!  Amazing!  There are some folks that will stand around watching flowers open, and I’m one of them.

What can we learn from the Moonflowers?

• That only God can open a flower, in His time.  God chooses when and how to move in our lives too.  Sometimes, when the kids were little, we tried to open the flowers on our own, but it always failed.  You can’t open a Moonflower.  You have to wait.
• There is beauty in the darkness.  Who would’ve thought God would create a flower that only blooms at dusk and then drops off in the morning?  Unbelievable, but it’s true.  He intended to plant these flowers for our joy and delight in the evening.  If we look closely, we will find beauty in the darkness we experience as well.
• Waiting for a Moonflower to open is worth it.  Some of God’s most beautiful activities require a “wait” from us.  Why?  So He can prove that He is the One moving, He is the One creating, He is the One showing His power.  If things happened on our time schedules, nothing would be perfect.  His timing is perfect.