"Everything belongs to God"

Today is...thursday. Two days before Ron and Vanessa's wedding. Everyone can feel the excitement building for these two godly young people as they join their lives and hearts in a life of ministry to their people. It is a blessing to watch them use their talents for God.

It has been a difficult month of re-transition here in Haiti for us. Things seem better lately, but we still have a ways to go... I am hoping that we can at least get the place furnished with adequate beds and closets soon. I feel so behind on language acquisition after being gone, so am trying to make that a high priority. It seems like we are going to have too many people living here for the summer, so am also asking for an ounce more of the Lord's guidance and grace.

Devotions for today:

"This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, but shuts off his compassion from him- how can God's love reside in him? For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another." (1 John 3: 16-17, 11)

Living here is a constant challenge in preventing a desensitized heart. People walk up to us every time we are out and ask for money. They ask because we are "blan" (white). They ask because they are in need and because they believe that we have an endless supply. What they don't understand is that they are very wrong. While many Americans do have money and compassion to hand it all out when they are here on a short trip from the land of plenty; Americans are not the source! A recent team here provided stewardship training, it began with the fact that Everything belongs to God. So it is Him that they should be applying to for unmet physical needs. I have to learn that here as well. I would love to hand out food with every last dime that we have, I would love to be able to help the people get started in a business that keeps them going long term, I would love to come along side and work with those that are trying to rebuild their lives or to get to a point where they can just "breathe".

The fact is, I live here on the provisions of others, more importantly by the provision of God. So I must trust Him to provide as well. It is Him that I must go to when in need. And I must love the people here even when they ask constantly for the resources that we have. I must be patient with them as they grow and mature. I realize that they may not even have that relationship with Him that affords them an understanding of the power of prayer, so I must share His love and salvation with them whenever given the opportunity.

We are ALL human...what would you or I do in their circumstances? While I must give even from my supposed "poverty" (by American standards), I must also remember and trust that it ALL belongs to God and that He will replenish our resources as we are faithful to live a life of love. No man is in true poverty when he walks in & with the Lord.

I must also keep in mind that the resources he gives us are not meant only because He loves us, but also because He loves others through us on a daily basis here...! Lord, thank you for your example of sacrificial love that sets the lifestyle for me. Help me as I walk in your spirit to always remain generous and to be open to your prompting to provide spiritually and physicaly for others each day. Help me to continually and fully rest in your faithful provision for us all in Haiti and abroad. Amen.