Craig and Christi Gabhart are challenged to “Stay wide-awake in prayer” as they visit and tend to the needs of those who have nothing.
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While on the road to Cap Haitian the other day, riding in a taptap boasting the words “Ede’m Senye” (Help me Lord) on the windshield. Another taptap windshield touted the scripture reference 1 Pierre (Peter) 4:7. Conveniently using a phone bible app right then and there, the words in verses 7-11 were instantly penetrating…
“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless – cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything – encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” 1 Peter 4:7-11 The Message
Living alone and unable to work, this man also relies on the kindness of his neighbors for survival. He looks on from the background with appreciation in the picture with the children.
We came with a gift of rice, beans, oil, spaghetti, and boullion but we received a bigger gift of inspiration and encouragement from this incredible man.
The belongings in the house were a rickety chair, a wash tub, and a bed made of wooden slats with a few rags piled on which to sleep. The man knows Jesus as his Savior. As we asked about his life and he said, “I have no problems.”
We talked more about the hardships he is facing. Again he said, “I have no problems.”
I have no problemsThis is real estate with a view. Grandma lives here with 2 grandchildren. The parents are living in the Dominican Republic so they can find work to be able to have money to send back to help the family.
As we visited and asked a bit about the family’s story “Gran”, Grandma, said with a sweet smile and a laugh that they were miserable.
We noticed so many beautiful Aloe plants, “Lalwa”, in the yard. We wondered if she would consider sharing some cuttings of the plants with us. Grandma willingly offered as many as we wanted to take. She confidently cut some of the “lalwa” with her machete and gave them with joy.
In another community we visited this 26 year old woman. On December 31, 2016 she suffered a spinal cord injury from being thrown from a truck that had collided with another truck. She had been hospitalized for 41 days. Now having been home for 19 days, the family indicated that they had spent money on healthcare but were sent home with no test results or information other than the instruction to lie flat on a plank on the floor. They are following ‘the doctors orders’ because she is afraid to move.
Just down the road lives Anglen, the woman who had been presumed dead for the past 2 years. She had reappeared and continues to live with her family. Anglen and her family struggle to cope and manage the mental challenges that are part of every day.
Read again 1 Peter 4:7-11, “take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer.”
The stories shared here are just scratching the surface of the plight of many individuals and families that Many Hands has encountered. Each of these, plus more, are opportunities to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though we feel overcome at times, we know…
God is GOD. God is GOOD.
HE IS and we can count on it.
Take nothing for granted…God is GOOD!!
… love each other as if your life depended on it.
Be generous with the different things God gave you.
…he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything.