Thursday I had the
opportunity to talk with a 52 year old woman names Laurdes Intan. We walked down a little dirt path in Bias
where there were many small homes/huts lined up. We stopped when we saw her welcoming smile as
she set chairs out for us to sit down in.
I asked about her family and children. She has six children (3 boys, 3 girls);
used to have seven but one passed away. She is a recipient of the ICM feeding program in her area and heard about the
gospel through one of the preachers.
After the feeding program ended, she continued to attend the Bible study
along with her two boys still at home.
She asked for prayer for her
husband because he backslides and doesn’t go to church often or at all. She said she prays for him all the time and
longs for him to come to Jesus. She said
it is hard without his support sometimes.
As she continued to tell more of her story, she expressed that even when
they don’t know where their next meal is coming from, she just trusts God
because He always provides. She seemed
to have such peace as she spoke. She had
no doubt God would provide and had so much joy inside. She said, “Even as poor as we are, I can
still be happy and have joy because of what Christ as done for me.” Those words spoke volumes to my heart. What faith this woman has and what truth she speaks! Christ is enough!
She asked about my story and
I shared of God’s goodness and blessings in my life but also how God provided
for me and never left my side even through the tough times. I was able to share some verses of
encouragement that brought a smile to her face.
I asked if I could pray for her and she said, “Most definitely. Of course!”
As I prayed for her and her family, tears began to fall. I prayed blessings over their family and for
a continued joy that only comes from Christ.
I prayed for her husband and his faith.
I knew that God was going to continue to use her amazing attitude and
light that shines bright to share God’s love and faithfulness with others.
She thanked me many times
for coming and spending time caring about her and praying for her. She encouraged me to keep praying for her and
her family. As I left, she handed me a
HUGE bundle of bananas from the little snack shop she has. The little shop in the front of her house was set up to bring a little money in for food. How could I take such a
gift from someone who didn’t even have enough to eat for themselves?? How could I be rude and not take a gift given
so generously? I took the gift and gave
a hug good-bye, saying words that couldn’t speak what was in my heart, “Thank you so much Laurdes!”
I kept thinking about her
faith, faith that changes lives, faith without worry. I have so much, been blessed amazingly, have
never worried where my next meal is coming from, yet how many times have I not
had faith that God would get me through something or that God was there even if
I didn’t feel Him? How about being so
giving? Am I willing to give my stuff
away? Am I willing to share? How often is it hard for me to share just one
of my many many possessions with someone because of my selfishness and
possessiveness? Yet this lady, with very
little, is willing to give one of the view necessities she has to me…food,
bananas, an essential for her survival.
It reminds me of the lady in
the Bible who gave all she had. She had
very little, but was willing to give all for the sake of Christ. THIS is what Christ looks like! It’s not about stuff, it’s not about material
possessions, it’s not about me…it’s about relationships, it’s about Christ! People matter…stuff fades, breaks, wares, and
tears, and stay here when we die, but people…they matter, to God and should
matter to us! Love God, love people. Those are the commands we are given. That’s what Jesus did.
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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling
his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor
widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.“
~John 12:41-44
*Please read a story of a man we have been visiting on Brandon’s site
*Check out another construction project we worked on in video form
