because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
Isaiah 61:1-4
Earlier this month our 3 teams here in Oradea, Romania were able to visit some homes of people who live and work at the local dump. They live in tiny little huts made of rugs and towels. They work by collecting the trash of the city and selling it (metals and plastics) for meager earnings. I appreciate that they are working, but they are given very unfair portions for their work. Their circumstances are horrible.
Walking to their homes. It was starting to snow
A home where an entire family lives
The kitchen area of one home
I know that we cannot alone love every orphan, feed every hungry mouth, free every captive, love every brokenhearted, give hope to every lost, and comfort all those who mourn, but that will not stop us from taking a stand.
The good news is that we are not alone in doing such things. The Lord calls us to take action, but He also calls us to present ALL of our requests to Him. Even if we could, as humans, end global poverty, where would that leave us? People may no longer be hungry, but would they truly be receiving a lasting impact? Would they still look to their Savior to provide? In praying for the people of the Nations, we recognize that our actions, although good and helpful, may not be sufficient. We serve a God that is MIGHTY, POWERFUL, and COMPASSIONATE! Where we cannot reach, He can move mountains!
These people are not just another statistic that can be read on the UNICEF website. They are God's children. Each and every one of them is a unique, beautiful, and blessed individual, so I'm asking you to JOIN US in taking a stand and making a difference in their lives.
This Sunday (Saturday/Sunday VERY EARLY for you all in the U.S.), we will be fasting from various things (food, internet, etc.), and we will be sleeping in our tents in the field to spend a night in solitude and prayer, fighting for those in need all around the world. We encourage you to fast with us in remembrance of those in need. This is not a day/night to spend in misery or guilt, but to remember God's promises for His children, and to ask Him to be present here in Romania, the United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, and all parts of the world! If our loving God can move mountains, then let's ask Him to do it!
"Look at the nations and watch–and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5
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