Friday, November 12, 2010

Inspired

For those that know me, most would agree that I am an excellent planner. I have planned many events in my life, all of which were successful. Even now, I find myself planning my meals each day…rationing out my portions so that my food will sustain through the next couple of weeks. I feel like planning can be a very good quality, one to be admired. But I have begun to ask myself…am I relying on my plans or my faith in God? Sometimes I feel as though my plans are a hindrance on my faith and trust in God. It is the daily reliance on God that I struggle so greatly with. Even now, if I had not planned my meals adequately, would I trust that God would provide for me? I have lived 28 years relying on my plans. I have never once questioned where my food was going to come from…I know food is available and I have the resources to obtain it. I have never once been forced to go hungry. Malnutrition is a serious problem in Kenya. Food stamps do not exist in this country…children starve to death. Gaining weight is something that most Kenyans desire. Well-nourished and overweight Kenyans are seen as being very wealthy. Many Kenyans do not know where their next meal is coming from, but they do not worry…they trust that God will provide for them. Me, I feel like I am just now learning how to rely on God. I have taken a step back from my plans, even with my food, and began to fully rely upon God’s provisions.

I have been extremely blessed with an amazing group of friends that have become my church family at Hillvue Heights Church in Bowling Green, KY! There are many extraordinary women that I admire and look to as examples of faithful servants within my family. This past week, from thousands of miles away, they inspired me! Many of my brothers and sisters at this church have accepted a challenge…the challenge is to give faithfully for 30 days! I long to see how the results from this challenge will impact my community!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:44-45

“The most important one: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

We are commanded to love one another and give to the poor…God commands that of us!

I was reminded by those that I love dearly how important a spirit of giving can be! Thank you for that! The day after I read about this challenge I was sitting in clinic seeing patients. It was a typical day...6 year old boy with HIV, 13 year old girl pregnant, patients with malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, AIDS. The story of every patient is very sad, but it is something I have learned to endure. For some reason today (11/4), one particular patient’s story brought me to tears. A 63 year old HIV+ woman was in need of more ARVs (Antiretroviral Drugs), although according to her last prescription her medication should not be out. She was asked why she needed more drugs, and in Swahili she very calmly replied that her house burnt down and her medicine was inside. The conversation continued, but questions began to race through my mind. So, I asked where she was staying, if everything was burnt, if anyone was injured, if she had a means to food. Once again very calmly the woman replied that everything she owned was burned; even her grandchild was killed in the fire. This woman had NOTHING! She was homeless, had no food, no clothing, had just lost her grandchild, and all she was asking for was a refill on her medication. She was not looking for a hand-out; she wasn’t even looking for sympathy…simply just her medicine. I’m not for sure why her story compelled me anymore than the rest of my patients, but I was drawn to do more for her. I immediately left the clinic and with tear filled eyes walked about 100 yards to my house. Once I got there I filled a plastic bag with some clothing and food. It was not much, and I longed to do more, but to her it was everything! She was not looking for generosity and I was not looking for gratitude, but we each found both. When I handed her the bag, she smiled from appreciation! After losing so much, how could so little make someone so happy!?! Shortly afterward, I went to the HIV Support Group meeting where I have been giving a lecture each Thursday and my patient was seated on the front row. She never stopped grinning at me throughout the whole lecture. I desire to find joy as she has in the small things in life! Her smile will always be with me!

I will conclude with a story. God compelled me to give this elderly woman a portion of my food, which left me without enough for the remainder of the trip…I was going to be without food for the last three days of my journey. Last night (11/11) some long-term missionaries passed through Ewaso Ngiro and stayed overnight. They invited Nathan and me over to enjoy some brownies and ice cream….WOW, what a treat! After their departure this morning, I found that they had left us with plenty of food to last through the remainder of our stay here! God is incredible!!!

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