This morning I was making peach jam. Not sure how jammy it will be as I've never made it before. But it tastes good when I [probar] it. And it smells better.
I'm constantly amazed at the people in this country. Saturday, we had some friends from Buena Vista drop by for a visit. They brought peaches. From their yard. I miss that about Buena Vista. Most of them are givers. Yet they have so little. The families never have consistent work. But yet, from the little they have, they give.
God's been using little things like this to strengthen my faith and reliance on Him. What better way than to use the example of someone who has nothing to share of their "abundance". The thing is, it's not about the gift. It's about the giver. Why did our friends bring a gift when they came for their visit? Was it because they wanted something in return? Some do. But they didn't. They did it because of love. They care about us. They missed us. They miss times we have spent together. For us, just the visit would have been enough to show us they care. It's a long and costly trip for them. But they went the extra mile and brought a gift.
Our Saturday night gathering at our new location is still kinda small. We have between 18-28 show up, depending the week. There are probably only 5 men out of this group who have steady work right now. A few weeks ago, we had some good discussion. During that time, one of our regulars was in tears with his current situation. He was out of work and had to move his small family to less desirable place to call home. We felt badly for him. But more than half of the families are in similar circumstances.
Ironically, Jorge decides to put into practice the exhortation of the New Testament church. So he asks everyone to bring some food item that we could put together food baskets for people less fortunate. If I were them, I'd be sitting there thinking, "Are you kidding? I'm the less fortunate. How am I going to give when I have nothing?" But you know what happened? Little by little, week by week, food has been coming in. It reminded me of this story in Mark 12:41-44:
41 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. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
What I get out of this is not what they gave or even that they gave it, but what their hearts looked like. Do they give because they feel obligated? I don't know what each of their hearts were. I know my first reaction when I'm expected to give is to resist. But when I see others around me giving, especially those who have so little, it compels me to give and to give freely. It becomes a chain reaction. And the true joy comes from giving when it's out of love.
I've learned to be more sensitive to God's whispers. There are opportunities to give here. Every. Single. Day. There are the bomberos (EMS) standing at speed bumps with cans collecting money. Nearly daily we pass them. I don't know if they're legit. I think they are. And from time to time Britt sticks a few coins in as we pass. Just the way life is here and because of the culture, there are innumerable ways to give. Britt gives every time he's asked, if he has cash on-hand. They don't ask me. Everyone knows I rarely have cash. And maybe they know that giving abundantly is an issue I'm working on personally. I'm hesitant. I'm not the lady that gives my last two coins. I think too rationally. But, oh the joy, when I know for sure that God has whispered in my ear and I act on it. It's like He's looking down on me and saying, "Ah, my child, you're finally starting to get it."
I'm constantly amazed at the people in this country. Saturday, we had some friends from Buena Vista drop by for a visit. They brought peaches. From their yard. I miss that about Buena Vista. Most of them are givers. Yet they have so little. The families never have consistent work. But yet, from the little they have, they give.
God's been using little things like this to strengthen my faith and reliance on Him. What better way than to use the example of someone who has nothing to share of their "abundance". The thing is, it's not about the gift. It's about the giver. Why did our friends bring a gift when they came for their visit? Was it because they wanted something in return? Some do. But they didn't. They did it because of love. They care about us. They missed us. They miss times we have spent together. For us, just the visit would have been enough to show us they care. It's a long and costly trip for them. But they went the extra mile and brought a gift.
Our Saturday night gathering at our new location is still kinda small. We have between 18-28 show up, depending the week. There are probably only 5 men out of this group who have steady work right now. A few weeks ago, we had some good discussion. During that time, one of our regulars was in tears with his current situation. He was out of work and had to move his small family to less desirable place to call home. We felt badly for him. But more than half of the families are in similar circumstances.
Ironically, Jorge decides to put into practice the exhortation of the New Testament church. So he asks everyone to bring some food item that we could put together food baskets for people less fortunate. If I were them, I'd be sitting there thinking, "Are you kidding? I'm the less fortunate. How am I going to give when I have nothing?" But you know what happened? Little by little, week by week, food has been coming in. It reminded me of this story in Mark 12:41-44:
41 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. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
What I get out of this is not what they gave or even that they gave it, but what their hearts looked like. Do they give because they feel obligated? I don't know what each of their hearts were. I know my first reaction when I'm expected to give is to resist. But when I see others around me giving, especially those who have so little, it compels me to give and to give freely. It becomes a chain reaction. And the true joy comes from giving when it's out of love.
I've learned to be more sensitive to God's whispers. There are opportunities to give here. Every. Single. Day. There are the bomberos (EMS) standing at speed bumps with cans collecting money. Nearly daily we pass them. I don't know if they're legit. I think they are. And from time to time Britt sticks a few coins in as we pass. Just the way life is here and because of the culture, there are innumerable ways to give. Britt gives every time he's asked, if he has cash on-hand. They don't ask me. Everyone knows I rarely have cash. And maybe they know that giving abundantly is an issue I'm working on personally. I'm hesitant. I'm not the lady that gives my last two coins. I think too rationally. But, oh the joy, when I know for sure that God has whispered in my ear and I act on it. It's like He's looking down on me and saying, "Ah, my child, you're finally starting to get it."
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