Abba, Jehovah Jireh, El Shaddai
This week I was reminded how cruel the world can be yet God is still sovereign through it all. Families in Brazil are very close, always there for each other, helping each other in their need. Not just moms, dads, and siblings, but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even neighbors. This is one of the many things I love about these people and their culture. Unfortunately for these children this family environment is not the case because of their HIV or AIDS. Since their families are uneducated about this disease they are afraid of it. This fear leads to these children are rejected and abandoned by their families. They are rejected because of something they were born with. They did not ask to be brought into this world with it. It was not a consequence of their sin. David, the boy I told you about last week, is the only one of his siblings that was born with this disease. He is also the only one of his siblings in an orphanage. The rest live with aunts and uncles. At the age of 10 he realizes he is different but does not understand why.
Not only are they rejected by family but also at school by peers and even teachers. I feel this rejection is what has caused their hearts to become so angry, bitter, and calloused to the world around them. They do not want love because love has failed them. Oh but only if they could see that love hasn’t failed them. God is their Abba Father and I wish I could somehow get them to understand that. Because of the card they were dealt it is difficult to do so. These children have such a future but the hate, lies and deception of this world are holding them back. The enemy has a might hold on their hearts but with patience, prayer and love from above that could all change. “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?” is the question I am constantly asking and seeking an answer too. I know He is the only thing that can change the mess the corruption of this world has brought on these children.
In Matthew 6:25-34 God promises to take care of each of our needs because He loves us so much and because we are so important to Him; more important than the birds in the air and lily’s of the field. In His Sovereignty He meets those needs even when we do not ask Him to. Just as He meets those needs He can also take them away. Unfortunately I cannot count how many times I have gone through a day without thanking God for His provision of my needs? In the busyness and noise of life in America, I sometimes forget to thank Him for those provisions because I unconsciously expect Him to take care of them. (Examples, getting me safely through the day, ALL FOOD (snacks, meals, dessert =), whenever I go shopping for new clothes or accessories, a job to pay the bills, a roof to keep out the hot, cold, and rain….I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the point!)
This week I was reminded that God certainly is our provider. He is sufficient enough to meet all our needs. Without fail food, clothes, and cleaning supplies are constantly donated to the Refuge House. Some of the food may be rotten and some of the clothes for adults, but there is always just enough to get by. These children have never gone hungry or naked. Also God provides money through donations to take care of their doctor visits and the medicines they need for their illness.
Life in Brazil is much slower than America but it is a good slow. The days seem so much longer and I praise God for that! I have time for them important things; more time to love others and God, time to reflect on the day’s events and see God at work! So many times I have missed God’s work because I am so busy; distracted by the things of this world. God says, “Hey! Look at this wonderful thing I have done for you” and I walk right by without even acknowledging it. My prayer is that when I return to America I will not go back to being “to busy” for God. He deserves honor and glory and praise and that is what I want to give Him. My prayer for you is that you may come to have this same experience. To “stop and smell the roses” that God has placed on your path, remembering to thank Him for even the little things. Things in America we take for granted that people in other countries desire immensely.
KISSES
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