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Senior Scribes
This World Is
Not Our Home
Forwarded From Bev Hughes
Dear friends,
The news is dominated by the refugee crisis. Commentators debate it,
politicians are fighting, Facebook opinions are running wild,
Christians are on both sides of the debate. It's a confusing issue.I
don't claim to know the answer, but I do know this. As Christians, this
world is not our home either. In a way, we are refugees in a strange
land, awaiting the day we can go home.
In the 1970's, as a 23 year old, I took 13 Laotian refugees into my
home, from a refugee camp in Thailand. Did it by myself, no aid, nobody
helping me. Was something I felt God wanted me to do. I brought them
into my home and will never forget the first night, hearing the chatter
of 13 excited people as mom cooked us a feast of rice, chicken and all
the veggies. This was in my 2 bedroom home.
As a manager of a restaurant I hired the two teenage boys, and nobody
worked harder or did a better job. A few weeks later I was told by the
owner "Tom, the Vietnam war just ended, people don't like these type
people, fire those two boys" I said I could not, legally or morally
fire them. Two months later, the day after Christmas, I was fired, as
well as the two boys.
Long story short, life went on, I ended up buying the house I was
renting, and giving it to the family, along with everything in the
house. It ain't popular bringing these refugees, cost me a ton, but I
believe I'm still experiencing the blessing of helping these precious
folks.
You say different time, different situation, okay, fair enough. Point
is, as followers of Christ we are to love people, and give them refuge
when God leads us to. I've been blessed in my 41 years of adult life to
give a home to over 100 people, (including 8 presently) who God brought
into my life. It hadn't been easy, it's been costly, it's cost me more
than one job, and it's not all fun and games. Being obedient is
rewarding, but not easy.
Today, Monday, I was supposed to get a break, visit my daughter,
husband and 4 grandkids, as well as my 2 brothers and their wives for
thanksgiving. Haven't seen any of them in over a year. Since I have not
collected any pay since April, I was unable to go, for a lack of $281
airfare. At first I was discouraged, I thought about in 41 years, I've
probably made a little over one million dollars and here I sat, unable
to buy a $281 dollar ticket. Then God reminded me where that million
dollars went.....to people, to providing homes, food, education. The
regret of not having any of that million faded fast as I thought about
people, and the honor God has given me to be His hands and feet. I'm
good.
How about you? Are people your priority? Is being obedient to God
important? Folks there are hurting people all around you, poor people,
homeless, refugees, people down on their luck, missions all around the
world struggling, food banks need food.....your help is needed, even
required by God. Don't get caught up in whether we should help people,
HELP people. Jesus helped people, which earned him the right to share
about His father in Heaven. Will you do the same? It's all about
showing God's love, and being Jesus to a lost and dying world. Don't
store up for tomorrow, make a difference today.
Blessings my friends,
tominhaiti
PS- Check out an exciting way you can share Christmas with our precious
folks with Project 50/5500 at
igniteyourfaithministries.org/christmasproject. Please pray about
helping a little with this.
Go to igniteyourfaithministries.org to find out how to make donations,
find out more about our ministry, or to schedule a trip!
Copyright © 2015 Ignite Your Faith Ministries, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Ignite Your Faith Ministries - Haiti
c/o Robinson Baptist Church
12011 N 120th St.
Grand Haven, MI 49417
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