Good morning and happy Saturday. I hope that you have been doing well and that you can identify at least one thing that you saw God doing in your life this week. It is incredibly important to not get so occupied with the routine of life that you overlook the work of God all around you.
Earlier this week, I heard someone knocking on the door at the church. When I went to check it out, I discovered it was Michael. I hadn’t seen him for a couple of months. Michael lives in an apartment complex near the church. I have gotten to know him somewhat over the last 3 or 4 years. He is a bit intimidating. He is a big man, standing over six-feet tall and probably tipping the scale over 275 pounds. He has tattoo’s all over his arms and his neck. A few times he opened up and shared about his past. He was formerly a drug dealer in a major city in the south. In fact, he said at one time he had two drug houses. He has been shot on 5 different occasions. His wife died may years ago, shortly after giving birth to their daughter. Needless to say, but he has had a difficult life. He came to KC to get a new start and to leave that life behind. Even though things have not been easy here, he is doing his best to not fall back into that lifestyle again.
So, I opened the door, a bit curious as to what was going on. After a little chit chat, he asked if I had seen Tim around. Tim is the homeless guy that typically comes by the church several times each week. We try to give him something to eat and encourage him as best we can. Anyway, I didn’t realize that Michael and Tim even knew each other. I had never seen them talking with each other or together at the same time. As Michael talked, he said he was concerned for Tim since he hadn’t seen him around for at least a week. He went on to share that he often lets Tim crash at his apartment so he doesn’t have to sleep on the streets. Other times, Tim would go by just to use the shower and get cleaned up. As we talked, Michael asked if I had seen Jay around. Jay is another homeless man that used to hang out near the church. However, he hasn’t been around for a couple of months. Through the course of our conversation, Michael shared that he had also let Jay stay at his place, especially when the weather was bad. I don’t know why, but in that moment I was amazed. Here was a man that doesn’t have much money or material goods, and yet was being incredibly generous with what he has. I was amazed but also convicted as well. I thought to myself that I want to be more like that. This guy that has been through so much has more of a heart for the homeless people than I do. And, he is displaying it through his actions and generosity. Wow, what a picture of what Christ would do. After we got done talking, Michael headed out to look for Tim. A while later, I went out to run an errand. By that time, it had starting raining really hard. As I drove down 75th Street, there was Michael, walking in the rain, having gone down near the bridge at I-35 to look for Tim. When I stopped to offer him a ride, he gladly accepted. He gave me his number and asked for me to call him if I saw Tim around. It was easy to see that he was concerned for him. As I dropped him off at his apartment, he thanked me for my willingness to stop and give him a ride. I couldn’t help but think that was trivial compared to the generosity that he had been showing to others.
As I thought about this, I realized that we have a man in our church that also displays this in his life. Brother Jacques has been living in the States for several years, often working two jobs, so he can support the kids in the orphanage in Haiti. It has not been easy, and Jacques has sacrificed a lot. Praise God that He has blessed our church so much that we were able to get the orphanage construction finished earlier this year. The children have now moved into their new space and are loving it. And now it is time for Jacques to move back to Haiti where he will oversee the orphanage and the three churches that he had helped get started. It will not be easy. Things are very difficult in Haiti now. Jobs are scarce and inflation is rising. Nevertheless, Jacques is committed to the work that God has led him to do. On September 20th, we are having a reception for Jacques after church to celebrate his last day with us. We will be taking up a special offering that day and also seeking to get additional sponsors for the children. If God lays it on your heart, would you consider helping support this work?
There are a lot of needs in the world, many in our community and others around the world. Obviously, we can’t meet all the needs. However, I do know that God often brings certain people into your life or makes you aware of specific needs. That is when we need to prayerfully consider what He wants us to do individually and collectively as His church. I personally want to be more generous like Michael and Jacques, and most of all, Jesus.
May God bless and guide you in all ways,
Larry
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