Keen and his friends are wanting to start a soccer team. Yesterday, they went on a 17 kilometer run (10.5 miles) through sun and rain. I was very impressed, and he got up pretty sore this morning. As I understand, him and his friends made it back about an hour ahead of the coach and some of the other lead players. He said he cramped up, but the pain goes away if you just keep running.
Before they left, I was drawing water at the well with some of the kids.
Sahmalie: "You run with the boys?"
Me: "No, I don't have shoes for running."
Sahmalie: "Yes, you do." (She pointed at my bare feet.) "God gave you shoes."
Me: "No, they are like baby, tender and soft."
This conversation has been hunting me. She was right. This young girl has learned a valuable life lesson. We think we need this and that, and we all have our excuses why we can't get involved, but God provides and has provided. In so many ways, I just need to get out of my comfort zone, toughen up and run the race He has for me.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Provider
I found out about 7:30 this morning that I was to be preaching the morning service, and I had already committed to take a walk with the girls before church. I quickly went to my room and found a Scripture, and a few minutes later we went on our walk. We came in late for church, but I think the Lord chose the Scripture and gave me an appropriate illustration. He is my provider in so many ways.
After church we had a meeting with the hostel kids and staff to talk about rules and chores. The headman was very concerned that our electric bill was over 5,000 Baht (that's about $175 for the entire campus for a month). He explained that we could have cut back on our spending and had enough money to feed six families in Burma.
This is not the fluff we tell our children, "Clean your plate...there are starving children in Africa." (As though, somehow our consuming more will help either our empathy or their situation) He is serious. He could probably tell you their names. They are real people, and our spending habits effect their lives. So do yours, whoever you are.
After church we had a meeting with the hostel kids and staff to talk about rules and chores. The headman was very concerned that our electric bill was over 5,000 Baht (that's about $175 for the entire campus for a month). He explained that we could have cut back on our spending and had enough money to feed six families in Burma.
This is not the fluff we tell our children, "Clean your plate...there are starving children in Africa." (As though, somehow our consuming more will help either our empathy or their situation) He is serious. He could probably tell you their names. They are real people, and our spending habits effect their lives. So do yours, whoever you are.
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