Healing Faith Benefit

I have sat down numerous times this week to write this blog update, however the words just will not come to me.  Kari and I are in such awe of the outpouring of support for the Healing Faith Benefit.  How do begin to express gratitude for all the time, effort, energy and preparation that went into planning. There are not words to describe how blessed we are by all the miracles that God performed to make this event happen. 

The event was a huge success due to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers!  Kari and I would like to thank everyone for the enormous amount of support we received.  We are truly humbled and awe struck at the outpouring of support from our friends, family and supporters.  We were truly excited to get to share the journey that God has placed our family on and the work he has called us to in Africa. 

Kari said from the beginning, we should all think big and not to put limitations on God.  We are always told to “think outside the box.”  Well our box runneth over.  We get so caught up in our daily lives and our planning that we sometimes put boundaries on God and what we think God can accomplish.  We let the limitations of our own lives spill over into our spiritual lives and doubt begins to creep in.  He has no limitations and is bigger than we can even imagine.  “I can do all things through He who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13

God moved in such a big way!  We could truly see His hand in every aspect of the evening from the planning stages right down the last detail and last auction item of the night.  It was an amazing evening surrounded by friends new and old alike and family who believe in what we are doing.  The night went by so quickly and much of it was a blur.  Again, we would like to thank everyone involved.  We are truly blessed to have such an amazing support system.  We are more confident than ever and know this is truly our calling to serve in Africa.  Sometimes we let doubt creep into our minds, especially with all that needs to be done before we leave.  After the tremendous display of love and support for Healing Faith, all that doubt has washed away.  We need to listen to what He is calling us so clearly to do and too often we forget to sit still and listen to what God is telling us.  Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” 

                                                      Have you been still and listened today?

 

If a child cries out in in the darkness...

If a child cries from hunger in the darkness and nobody hears it, does it make a noise?

If you were going about your daily life and saw a child starving and alone on the streets, what would you do?  How many of us would turn the other way or act as though you didn't see it? I hope that the answer is none.  But did you know that it is happening right now? There are children starving and alone on the streets in Uganda. I believe the issue lies within the context of the sentence “If we saw a child starving and alone on the streets.”  We get so caught up in our daily lives that we don't see what is right in front of us. We don't want to admit there are children dying from something as simple as food and clean water. Some many of us want to turn a blind eye to the problem.  We often act like if we don't see the problem then is does not exist.  

I have heard many people say “It is not our problem” or “we have so many needy people here in the United States.”  My answer has always been, it is your problem and what are you doing to help them.  What will help  solve this world wide problem?  The answer is simple, YOU will.  The only way to fix a problem is to attack it head-on, admit there is a problem and find a solution.  You may turn a blind eye to the problems overseas, but there a problems right here to address.  If you do not want to be involved somewhere else, get involved here at home.  Help someone in need.  God did not call all of us to go overseas and serve, but He did command us to “Love one another” Galatians 5:13 “By love, serve one another”

What are we doing in our daily lives to serve one another?

As we prepare for this journey I have been in absolute awe of how God has provided.  As I am typing now, there is a group of volunteers who are spending hours upon hours of planning to prepare for the Healing Faith Benefit.  I have been humbled by the outpouring of support through time, energy and talents spent planning and organizing to make this event a reality.  God has surrounded us with people who believe in what we are doing and believe in making this world a better place.  It has been an emotional roller coaster as the reality of leaving in 61 days has set in. There have been stressors affecting our lives and doubt trying to sneak in.  However, we know that this is the enemy trying to disrupt the good work that is being done by so many.  I had one individual tell me that he was going to line all the hungry people up here in Bryan/ College Station to wave goodbye when we leave to serve in Africa.  My response, “Good, then you will know right where they are all so that YOU can make a difference in their lives.”  God did not call all of us to serve overseas, but he did call all of us to be missionaries in some capacity. We are following a calling to serve His people in Uganda. We cannot let the doubt and discouragements of a few overpower the outpouring of support that we are receiving from so many.  Thank you to all the effort and support that has been put into the Healing Faith Benefit and to the mission in general.

So, I ask again, if you see a child in need...Will you help?  Will you answer their cries? 

You can help us, help one by supporting Healing Faith. The Benefit on 11/11/11 is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the ministry and what you can do to directly help those in need in Uganda.