This week I didn't want to be thankful. I struggled to get outside of myself and serve and love others like Jesus. By Wednesday, however, I was determined, by God's grace and help from my husband, to get out of the house and be concerned about others. So, I loaded up our children and I drove to our friends' house. The friends who are all crammed into a 5 room apartment and their total number is equal to 28 living there. Our friends are seeking asylum from persecution and have no rights whatsoever here and are in the worst kind of limbo. Our friends whose needs are so many and overwhelming that at times we are at a loss as to how to help, other than to go and talk and play and pray and be present. I have to admit that sometimes I don't want to go. Sometimes it's just all a little too uncomfortable...not having any answers and not having a magic wand to whisk them off to a better land where there is freedom and ability to work and make money, legally. But, I know...I know in the deepest depths of my soul that we are connected because of the blood that dripped down from the body of Christ on the cross and we alike, confess our need for Him and our utter dependence on Him and the words, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers," (Gal. 6:10) bounce around in my head...and also Proverbs 3:27-28, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you." I know these truths...and these are my brothers and sisters and we try to live in light of these verses. We show up there and we are given hugs and smiles a mile wide because it's been a few weeks since we've been over to visit and we're seated and given tea and even given a meal from these precious ones, who themselves, do not withhold anything from us! I asked how they were doing and asking if their needs are being met...they share that they were given a water purifying system...a huge blessing as even getting clean water here is not free...and when you have 28 people drinking water, that adds up....quickly. We rejoice at God's provision. I marvel at how they keep going...keep trusting, keep persevering...because of Jesus. One sister comes to see me, she's in a lot of pain. She needs medical care. She's been to a clinic but they only gave her pain killers. And, I'm wondering, "what is wrong with her?" and "is she going to be okay?" And, kicking myself for the umpteenth time that I didn't go to nursing school!!! We pray...we cry together and we call out to our Jesus...the One who saves, the One who is faithful, the One who can bring healing, the One who can give wisdom...and then we rest in Him.
We are moving in a little over a month. We are moving 12 hours away (by car). We worry about our friends. Who will help them? Our Thai church is doing what they can, but there is only so much...they are not even fully supporting themselves yet. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for this family. I have contacted an organization who work with those in this kind of situation but have yet to hear back from them. Please pray that someone will be able to provide physical answers to their needs. We are trusting our Lord to provide for them, He has kept them thus far and we know His love for them is far greater than our love for them but we do ask for you to pray.
So, we left there, feeling burdened but thankful that we went. We are family now...their needs are no longer out there on a computer screen or in a flyer somewhere, they're very near to our hearts. Sometimes all is needed is someone to listen and hold your hand and say, "we're here." Pray that we can be faithful friends in the face of uncertainty and hardship.
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