We had a really good talk about "helping" the poor and those in need. I just started reading the book "When Helping Hurts," so it's been on my mind a lot. And in Salisbury it was always a popular conversation with my roommates and CRU's community outreach team.
So rather than going in thinking we are heroes, helping these poor people who can't help themselves, we tried to go in with an attitude of "hand up" not "hand out."
We don't want to create a dependency and we don't want to rob these people of their dignity. We just want to help get them on their two feet again.
I met two really sweet kids- Archina and Moshe.
When I asked them what was hardest about the flood's damage, they said that it ruined their school books and supplies. I hadn't even thought of that! I asked if they even needed clothes or food. They said yes, it would be helpful, but I wish we had thought to bring educational supplies.
Some of the villages still looked pretty bad. Everything was still sitting out to dry. (see chairs on top of roof!)
It was a good day, and I'm glad we were able to try and help.
Today, we went to a friend's house to visit and play with the children! It was such a blessing. There is a girl staying there who has become a believer, and it was so awesome to hear her share about her personal relationship with Jesus. She is truly in love with her Savior. We all had a wonderful time. The kids especially loved playing helicopter....
and trying on sunglasses! :)
And I got to try some pretty awesome fruit this week called soursop. It tastes like sweet tarts with the consistency of gum. I'm in love. Isla likes it too!
I'll end with another thing that we've been talking about recently- Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
-It goes along with the 1 Peter passage I referenced before- all of our actions will be tested with fire. Those that we did for the Lord remain, those we did selfishly burn up. And at the beginning of Matthew 6 it talks about HOW we should give to the poor, and how we should pray (guess I shouldn't of written about the clothing distribution...!) But in all seriousness, God knows our hearts, and knows why we do the things we do. Once again, it is our heart that really counts, and the Lord knows our motives.
Praise God for his grace and patience with us!!! It blows my mind to think about how much He loves us when He knows how wretched our hearts are. What a wonderful God we serve.
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