This is Hard
There are times working here in Swaziland
that I just look around and think, “This is really hard.” I mean, the
physical basic needs here are so much bigger than me and the people are so used
to hearing the gospel people don’t know true love of God that can make them a
new creation. It’s just hard.
This week I was reading n Matthew
and came across the beatitudes. I have read them many times before but they
took on new meaning as I read them again. They say,
“God blesses those who are poor and
realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom
of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who
hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children
of God.
God blesses those who are
persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom
of Heaven is theirs.”
I realized that this being hard is
part of being a Christian. It is part of a longing for God’s kingdom to come
and for sin to vanish. It is longing for his holiness to swallow up pain and
death. I, along with the rest of creation, await that day in eager expectation.
Until then I will strive to be a person that God blesses. A person who is leaning
on him for every breath, running this race, proclaiming truth, loving his
creation, and praising his perfect name.
I do have a prayer request. We have
a Swazi girl named Treasure who is living with the team and goes to ministry
with several of the girls to act as a translator. She is 19 and has become a
dear friend. A couple weeks ago she became sick and had to have emergency
surgery. She is doing much better now and we are so thankful we were able to
take her to a nice clinic and love her as the child of God she is. However, now
we have a large medical bill that her family would never be able to cover. We
as the Church would like to pay it. With the surgery and medicine we are still
about $1, 500 short. If you would like to give even a very small amount, please
give a check to my parents who would then be able to pass it along to me. Thank
you so much.
It’s great that you guys are taking care of Treasure and reaching out to others to take care of this medical bill. I’m praying that you and the team finish strong over the next few weeks.
hey michelle, i will pray for you and the church to raise enough money. i love the verse you kind of quoted!!!!!!!
my prayers are with me,
katheryn
Precious Lil Bit,
As I read your blog I thought of the starfish story about the little boy walking down the beach and the shoreline is covered with thousands of starfish and he is picking them up one at a time and tossing them back into the ocean. A man walking the opposite direction sees what he is doing and asks the boy if he really thinks he can make a difference, the boy reaches down and picks up another starfish and holds it for just a second and says, it matters to this one, as he tosses it back into the ocean! On the whole, looking at the big picture of overwhelming needs, what each of us do individually may not look like much, but added together, it’s HUGE! Also each little chocolate face you’ve looked at with love, each little thin body that you have held tenderly, each child’s name that you have learned, each person that you have served a meal to… IT MATTERED TO THAT ONE!!! You have to think a little less globally so as not to get discouraged. My little pile of blue bags by the side of the road once a month isn’t much, but I may save one tree for my efforts, and one is still something!
You are doing what Jesus has asked of you, loving His children one child at a time! How amazing is His grace! You are loved so much, can’t wait to see you! Love, Hugs, & Prayers, Jeanne & Tyler xoxo
HEY MICHELLE!!!
JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!