Tonight there is an unsettled feeling about us and a stark
reminder that we have an adversary who desperately wants to distract us from
slowing down to love the people of Guatemala.
I’m not one to look for Satan “under every rock,” but tonight, after a
series of frustrations, distractions and strange issues to deal with I know we
need the prayer and support of those back home who are in the all-important role
of covering us in prayer.
I’ve been learning about “loving one another” at our Sunday
night church, as well as in reading John’s gospel and letters. God tells us bluntly if we want to be a
disciple, then love one another. Today I
both struggled to do that and excelled at that.
I failed in loving my wife very well today, was distracted by issues
with my business at home and a plethora of appliances etc breaking here and at
our house in Colorado today, and thrown into a difficult situation by the
abrupt firing of our Guatemalan maid by our landlord.
All this is taking place while we’re trying to focus on a
very poor family from a village we chose to love by inviting them into our home
and to needed medical care out of reach for their beautiful scabie-ridden
daughter.
We have spoken of 5 year old Kelly before. She has been plagued by a chronic and severe
case of scabies (we know all about scabies after Tiffany got them at an
orphanage in Haiti). We have provided
medicine at a cost less than most of us spent out at lunch today, but with no
clean water or change of clothes at her dirt-floor house there’s little hope of
beating the scabies.
So we brought her family to our home today… shared a meal
and as much conversation as we could.
They are very appreciative. In
the morning we will take them to get medical care for their girl, some new
scabie-free clothes and hopefully some education on how to fend off these
aggravating bugs.
As I tried tonight to focus on showing God’s love to this
family I found my mind and my feet pulled in so many directions. I know God’s enemy doesn’t like when His
disciples do the simplistic thing of slowing down to look the “least of these”
level in the eye and meet a basic need.
Imagine if I and all the others I “share a pew” with did this on a
regular basis? Satan would be quite
unsettled.
Tonight, l’m thankful
for those of you keeping us in prayer,
those of you looking level into the eyes of someone in your “village,” and one
or two of you that might pray that Kelly can beat these scabies very soon.
Learning to Love,
Sean
“… let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 Jn 4:7
3 comments:
Praying for all of you. You are not alone.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Psalm 143 is a good one to pray. May the Lord fill you with His peace. May the morning bring word of HIS unfailing love. Praise God for a love unfailing. He is with you guys!
I'm sure it's overwhelming being pulled in all directions while away in a foreign country!! Keeping you in our prayers as you show God's love to this family and keeping Kelly in our prayers.
Post a Comment