I remember a song from VBS as a kid. The words were “God loves a cheerful giver, ha ha ha ha, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” This song comes from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 and is a great example of the generosity our “family” in Thailand has shown us.
They are generous not because the have excess to give, but because they give what they have; they give their hearts, they give their time, they give their energy, the give their money. They give all of who they are!
One of the theme verses at the camp we helped with this past week was Matthew 22:37-39. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it love your neighbor as yourself.” I always like the sequence of this verse and how they are connected; especially the part that says “the second is like it.” A big part of loving God is loving others.
1 John 4:7-8 says it well. “Dear friends let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.”
All that to say Mom, Pastor, Tik, Tuk and their friends Mook, Pooh, and Aoi know God…and have loved God by loving us these past two weeks. Their intentionality, generosity, and care for us has been an amazing representation of Christ’s love.
- Before we even arrived mom sewed us fun purses as a gift from the church. She prepared in advance for our arrival and made us feel included in their family.
- They also had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches always available for a snack if we needed it. It was as if they knew us (at least our culture and what we would make us feel comfortable).
- We attended family and church gatherings, met the grandparents, and were able to participate in holiday festivities.
- They toned down the spice for us in the dishes they made because they knew we might have a hard time with it.
- And for my birthday they treated me as one their own; letting me celebrate with the compassion children that also have birthdays in April. We had birthday cake, fondue, presents and all! It was a very unique and fun birthday!
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We all had buddies to exchanged notes or little gifts throughout the week with too. It has helped us get to know one another in such a short period of time, and is something that made us all feel included and cared for.
Their intentionality with us has been above and beyond and a blessing from God. Working with this family has been one of those experiences where you go in expecting to give to them, but they bless you a hundred fold in return. I love that God’s kingdom functions that way and it is amazing to see firsthand!
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 reads, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly but whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
You should hear moms laugh, see Pastors smile, and experience the cheerful hearts and giving that this compassion program produces. Even the little kids at camp were using their allowance to buy some of us gifts instead of treats for themselves. It is awesome to see Christ’s love in these people, their home, their church, and ministry to the community…my hope and prayer is that we can take their joy and generosity and bring it to others we come into contact with (both here on the race and when we get home)!
