I went to church this morning, and they had a special guest speaker, Dr. Samuel Thomas, who is the president of Hopegivers International, a Christian-based orphan and abandoned children rescue in India. I didn't know this, but the founder of the organization, Dr. M.A. Thomas (Samuel's father) is currently in the Assisted Living home on our church grounds. He is in very bad health, and they are trying to stabilize him enough to fly home to India where he can live out his remaining time.
Dr. Thomas gave his amazing testimony and a message that really hit home for me. This man has spent his life witnessing and surviving severe persecution by officials in India, and still has so much faith and dedication to his ministry and God. He has lived through twenty assassination attempts against him, and even an ad in the Newspaper offering $75,000 to the person who brought his head on a platter to the officials. That was in September '06. Anyway, his message was all about not living in fear, and putting all trust in God, because He will handle anything life has to throw at you. "A perfect love has no fear." You just need to take all your fears to the altar and lay them down at God's feet and give everything to Him. I was so uplifted after the sermon, and the stress I've had about our finances seemed to disappear. Drew and I have been praying every night about our finances and other situations, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will pull through this and God will provide.
Oh, and here is my written promise... In the future, when Drew and I are financially straight, I will be a sponsor to one of those orphan agencies, like Hopegivers or Compassion. Freshman year, I (ok, well my parents' because I theoretically never paid) used to sponsor a little boy from Nicaragua through Compassion and it really is an amazing thing. I am such a sucker for things like that, and today almost started crying when I knew I couldn't add anything to the donation plate.
My neighbor upstairs has been telling me about a place called Flat Rock Park here in Columbus, that is a big wooded area with lakes, campsites, creeks, hiking trails, etc. She is an avid walker (which probably explains why I haven't gone with her, I think she'd kick my butt) and goes there quite often. Drew and I have made Sundays our walking/exploring Columbus day, so I thought I'd carry that on today even with him gone. The park is only about a mile from our apartment, and is so beautiful. I took Brody with me, of course, and he loved it too. We conquered the Beginner 3 mile hiking path, and now he is sound asleep (and snoring) on the couch. I'm sure I have at least an hour of quiet time now. Woo hoo!
I took pictures on my phone of the park. Can you believe this is all practically in our back yard? I think I'm the luckiest person ever.
Question of the Day:
If you could be an expert in any one field, which one would you choose?
Veterinary medicine/Animal behavior.
3 comments:
Hey Katelyn,
I read your post about Dr. Thomas and the orphans. In my experience, true faith will give when there is nothing to give. Think of the woman who gave two coins in the NT. Jesus said she gave more than anyone because that is all she had. Certainly she needed to eat that night, and I'm positive our Heavenly Father provided for her because of her faith. I challenge you and Drew, starting out your lives, to put giving to God above what you think you can do. And watch Him make a way for you to keep giving! That is true faith. Be blessed,
Julie Ferwerda
www.julieferwerda.com
Thanks for posting to my site Katelyn. About giving to an orphan, I hope you will do it and watch God be faithful. Sam Thomas has told me in the past that an older couple on a fixed income who couldn't afford to support an orphan got a job mowing a lawn. For 20 years the mowed a lawn so they could send $30 a month for an orphan. Another woman was very poor but she sent in $1 a month for many years, faithfully. These stories inspire me.
Hi Katelyn, I have been the primary caregiver for Dr. M.A.Thomas since his illness in Nov 08. He is actually in a skilled care facility in Columbus, but not a part of Calvary. His condition has improved tremendously since the stroke. He still cannot speak, and has no use of his right side, but God works miracles each day. You can read about the journey on the blogs on the Hopegivers web site. I would also like to echo the enouragement of Julie. God will honor us when we step out in faith. Pick an amount, and start. It may only be $5, but don't wait. Start your journey while God has it on your heart and I promise you that God will honor that effort.
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