The World Race has taught me many many things. Of all the valuable lessons I’ve learned on the Race how to share has been one of the most valuable.
How to share one shower with 45 people.
How to share when you buy six apples for your six teammates and one of your teammates eats 3.
How to share a 15 X 15 room with 6 others and all your crap.
How to share when it’s only month 7 and you feel a tickle in your throat and your teammate asks for your last 2 tablets of Nyquil.
How to share what God has been teaching you when it’s your turn to preach.
How to share when the boys steal your husband away when you haven’t had a chance to have a private conversation with him in 3 days.
How to share an 8 person vehicle with 18 people.
How to share when your feelings have been hurt.
How to share your money when your teammates can’t afford their medical bills.
How to share the joy and revelations God gives you.
How to share your life with the lives of those around you.
Not too long after the death and resurrection of Jesus Luke talks about sharing. He says,
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved…All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold the, brought the money from the sales and put it all at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:44-47-4:32-35
I wonder how different things would be if Christians followed the example of the first believers in history. If we didn’t claim our possessions as our own and shared everything we had. If we met together daily to fellowship and praise God. If we consistently shared meals in each other’s homes. I won’t speak for your community, but I know Goshen County Wyoming would be a different place if we lived this way- every day- not just on Sundays.
While on the race we have had the privilege of meeting fellow believers who truly live by these standards. Let me introduce you to one of them. Meet Angela.
(Angela is second from the right.)
Angela is the director at House of Mercy, a children’s home for HIV+ children. This Australian native sold her car, her house, and nearly all her possessions to follow the call God placed on her life. God called her to share. To share her life with the unwanted children from the slums of Thailand and to share her life with her coworkers. At House of Mercy all the children and staff live on grounds. They meet together, eat together, sleep together, and praise their Lord together!
Here are a few pictures from our time with them.
Burping babies! I had the privilege of helping take care of this sweet girl just hours after she arrived. House of Mercy has more than 20 middle and high school age kiddos. The majority have been there for their whole life. These sweet babies are the first of the new generation at House of Mercy!
Loading up for church! This is how you get anywhere and everywhere in Khon Kaen.
The beautiful grounds.
What a beautiful picture of community Angela, the staff, and children at House of Mercy have given us. Thank you Miss Angela for sharing with us!
