it's a gift

 I was really moved by this short Emmaus University of Haiti testimony tonight.

In a day and age when the future is JUST as INSECURE and unpromised as ALWAYS, as we are so tempted to grow tight-fisted in tight times, as we are more likely to hide our faith in times of fear instead of POUR IT...I am challenged by this young couple, half my age.

Now is the time to be CRAZY PEOPLE like them in abandon to our God and Father, praying on knees and giving on dimes and going on child-like faith...to our neighbors, in our communities, in and to the dark-dark places, stepping out of secure and into His kingdom work. There are so many people living and dying without the Unwavering Hope we have in Christ.

I love that because of THIS GIFT, there will be LESS.

Tonight we received a short note from a young couple in the States, working hard-hard to make ends meet. They have been keeping track and saving up their tithe for months now so that they could give a generous gift to Emmaus...enough for an entire YEAR of room, board and tuition for a student.

When someone takes your hand LIKE THAT--sacrificially, painfully, joyfully, with FAITH--how precious the gift of not just provision, but of courage.

Do not underestimate what God will do when we give like He's asked...when we step out on faith like He's motioning us to...when we come alongside like He's modeled.

We don't know how Emmaus is going to get the funding we need, but we are trusting Him, spurred on by this young couple. Don't miss out on the opportunity to GO when He leads, to GIVE when He nudges, to PRAY when He burdens.

What a mighty God we serve...who will bend low to USE US for His glory, if we are only willing.

***Update on Matt...he is to arrive back in Jackson around 2 am tomorrow morning. Thank you for your prayers!! I can't WAIT to hear all about his time and what's going on at our home away from home.