And God Showed Up...again

And God showed up...again.

I want to say first that I've gone through a whole lot of valleys within the last 10 - 12 years. You don't leave a son of your heart 300 miles away without knowing that life is changing big time. But God has always shown up. Whenever times are hard He always - always - shows up.

New Hope has gone through some tough times lately. Maybe it's a time of testing. We've lost families who are military through PCS'ing and other moves for employment. We've lost families because of their own needs to care for elderly parents. And, we've lost families to bigger venues. But, God has always shown up.

Losing families means a loss of teachers, singers, leaders, and friends. It's also a loss financially. But, God has always shown up.

Today, God showed up in such a tender way that I was brought to tears. One of the dearest things to my heart about New Hope is their open loving hearts toward my piano students. I have my students, no matter what level of playing they are at, play the offertory whenever possible. It's incredibly sweet. Or, maybe it's just sweet to me because I know how hard they work on each piece. New Hope has listened to little boys and girls play all sorts of music, not always "proper church music" and supported and each time applauded their musical offering.

One such student is a lovely sweet little Catholic girl. She, and her whole family are Catholic by infant baptism. I always pray with my students before each lesson - nothing big or elaborate - just a simple little prayer thanking the Lord for the child and his/her family and asking for His blessing on them. This little girl's daddy is military. Today after her lesson, her mother told her to run wash her hands while she talked with me. She told me that her husband was about to be deployed for a year and she was staying here by choice. There's another child and school is an issue. She's done this before and is strong and knows she can do it again. Her family is so close; I love seeing the interaction between my sweet student and her older sibling - the protective nature is incredibly tender.

This family doesn't attend church at all except when the child plays offertory. So, they've heard the Word preached maybe 4 or 5 times over the past couple of years. But, today, I learned how much of a difference that can make. Today, I learned how much of a difference New Hope can mean to a family.

This husband told his wife, "While I'm away, if you need anything, you know that the church, New Hope, will help you. I know this." God just showed up. God just showed up in a big way for New Hope and I pray that every single person within her walls knows this. He is alive and working even when not everyone sees.

I know this.

Jock Brandis - Replan It

I so love our Child 2 Child girls at New Hope. About a year ago their ministry focus was The Full Belly Project. With the monies they earned they were able to supply nearly 5 Universal Nut Shellers to villages in Africa.

The girls are about to restart their efforts to do their part of caring for the least of these, so I've been researching different organizations that not only give to the needy but give with meaning and a heart for the people. The Full Belly Project is just that - a grassroots organization that looks for ways to help people out of poverty and into fuller lives by very cool ingenious yet simple inventions.

Jock Brandis is one of my earthly heroes. Watch this video and you'll see why.

Child 2 Child - Take 2

For maybe a couple of years now, I, along with 3 or 4 other women have been working with a dedicated group of little girls each Wednesday night. They call themselves Child 2 Child. This group of kids began making craft items each week and selling them only to church members. We never went outside the walls with their crafts and yet these little girls were able to help build a well in Kenya, buy formula for babies in an Guatemalan orphanage, purchase a Universal Nut Sheller for the Full Belly Project, send monies and hand sewn blankets to the Navajo here in our own country. They've done all this and so much more that I can't bring to memory right now. This from about 10 girls in a small church here in Florida.

They've memorized and taken to heart the full meaning of Matthew 25:40. They viewed pictures of starving children as they learned not everyone is as fortunate as they are. They know the dangers of mosquitoes and malaria. They know how AIDS can kill off a whole tribe if the necessary meds aren't available. At one point we even had a 5 yr old who could tell you what a guinea worm is and what it does to a person's body. It's a lot for kids, but it's Christ for them. It's Christ through them.

We adults decided to take time off from crafting and teach them to sew. For the last several months they've learned all sorts of intricate details that come with both hand stitching and machine. We're all so proud of them. During this time they made items to take home since many were what we lovingly call "design challenged." It's been good for them because they've learned a craft they can take with them for a lifetime. But, it also has taken them away from the heart of Child 2 Child - the giving from one child who has so much to another who has little. So, we'll be starting back with our original purpose very soon.

Each week I have Bible time with them before they work. I wanted to share with you a book I plan to purchase to read to them each week along with their Scriptures. Katie Davis is a young woman who has given her life over completely to the Lord. View the video and you'll see why her book may be just the thing for this particular group of little girls. You may find out it is just the thing for you, too.



The book is out in October, but you can preorder it here.

There is an emotional cost...

From a pastor I love with all my heart comes a blog post that I believe every Christian should read.

There are days when being a pastor is a consuming joy. It's a job you enjoy because it's making a real difference and you're operating out of passion and conviction. That's why I love it.

But ...You can do your best in every way - in prayer, preparation, execution and follow through - but the efforts aren't guaranteed. The outcome is out of your control.

I struggle with that.

Read the full post here.

I've never gone hungry...

I've never gone hungry.

Ever.

For my entire life I've been taken care of by parents or had the wherewithal to buy food for me and my family.

That's not to say there weren't times when I ate something other than what I wanted to. But I've never been hungry, or had to eat something I would rather not for more than a meal or two.

And the King will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of My people, no matter how unimportant they seem, you did it for Me." Matthew 25:40 (cev)

Read the entire post here. Then, fall on your knees and try to understand how blessed you are...how you are placed here on earth to make a difference.

Rice and beans for a week

From It's Like Herding Cats:

I can remember the first time I heard about what God was doing in Uganda through Katie Davis. Admiration and amazement came to me in equal amounts. How this young woman would see caring for orphaned children in Africa as better than life here in the USA and then how in the world was she able to do it?

Once I spent some time reading her blog and hearing her stories, it was obvious that God was using this woman to teach a lot of others about living for Him. Amazima Ministries is the organization that grew out of her desire to love and care for these children.

Read David's full post "We'll Hold the Ropes" and learn how rice and beans can make a big difference.

Smaller church - Huge Heart

Smaller Church - HUGE HEART

Kids + Crafts = ♥

Lots of pictures because there was lots of activity going on. The thing to know here is that every thing done - every fabric glued, every paper folded - every single little thing - tonight was to further the cause of Jesus.

Wednesday nights are different every week. We have a core group of girls, and depending on circumstances we'll have less or more. Most times, there are more. When I'm prepared for it I love it. When I'm not prepared I...well, I still love it. Building up to it - not so much, but the actual time with them is great. I've learned one thing. The group may be small. They may be looked on from others as not old enough to make a difference, but Jesus looks on this group and says, "Well done." I'm sure He throws in a hug and kiss, too because that's what happens when real love comes around.

It's not about the size of the group. It's about the size of the heart. New Hope has heart...bigger than any mega church around. The mega church may give more money, but they'll never out give the heart of the people here.

I think much of that has to do with the kids themselves. I sometimes (not always!) think that parents jade their kid's thoughts on giving...on living the life of "the least of these." All I know, is that these kids, young and older (because we have some young adults that join us) have hearts that are pure...hearts that are loving and fixed on the Savior.

The kids made the journals tonight for the Full Belly Project. New Hope will come in Sunday morning and take a look at their handcrafted items and purchase the really cool crafts knowing that every penny will go to whatever Child 2 Child has chosen for the month.

Beautiful fabric covered journals! We used this for our instructions.

Sweet Saria

Kelly is awesome!

Olivia is sweet AND talented!

Danielle loved her journal so much she bought it on the spot!

Harriet and Sydney = awesome!

Mary took time to work with Kelly and she made a lovely journal!

SMILE Kira! Smile! We all love Kira!

Sydney & Olivia

Brittany & Danielle LOVED their journals. They bought theirs knowing that their money would go to the Full Belly Project.

More Fun!

Soles4Souls

From It's Like Herding Cats:
Barefoot Sunday is coming this week to New Hope - Valparaiso FL. Bring your gently used shoes and change the world for someone. Do something!