A few years ago, while evaluating my Christian life, I concluded that I wasn’t able to love like Jesus wanted me to. I realized that I needed a change in my life, so I prayed. I asked God for help.
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I’ve written about this already, you can check out this post. God first showed me what I needed to do, which was to act with love towards people. But what I didn’t expect was how He would change my life in the process.
The first seed that God planted in my heart was the love for the less fortunate ones. It took more than two years for this seed to start growing. And it is still a seed, but it has already changed a lot inside of me.
At first, I started helping more organizations with financial support. Then, I felt the need to do something myself, not only give money.
Then, God called me to leave my work. Around that time, I read Rich Stearns’ book “Hole in our Gospel” (check out the review here), and I learned that there are three things that we can offer God (the three T’s): time, talent, and treasure.
I realized that I was serving only with my treasure, so I wanted to do more. God gave me many signs and I finally left my job.
Now, one year after that, I am involved with a non-profit organization called JEAME, which rescues, rehabilitates, and reintegrates children and teenagers living in social risk conditions. Many of them live on the streets. Many of them live out of robberies and traffic of drugs. Almost all of them are addicted to drugs.
Even though I am not active (yet) in the missionary field itself, I have been helping them with technical stuff, which is my talent.
Last week we released the new website that I built for them. You can check out the English version here. Feel free to send me comments and suggestions about it.
I have also gotten in contact with other non-profit organizations located in a city near São Paulo. My heart broke for them due to how much they need help to do their work. I also intend to participate and help them somehow.
And there is also my church, the one I attended many years ago. God called me back to help them, so there I went.
I am not sure yet what is God’s plan in each of these areas for me, but I am willing to follow His lead. I know that He can make amazing things when we are willing to do His will, and I know He will.
Looking at all of this, I can’t help but be amazed that it all started with one single prayer: a prayer to learn how to love. And this is just the very beginning, I’m sure. And this is a prayer that I will never get enough of it.
So, what about you? What do you want to pray for? Be warned: God does answer prayers.
I have seen what you were describing re: kids in both ours and other places. In Uganda, young kids were sometimes drinking water from puddles that had car oil in them. [I think that sometimes parents or other relatives used this as an way to have the kids attract tourists, etc., that would drop money into them and it would go into the family. That is horrific. We never gave money; we would give water bottle or a bit of food.] In Kenya, kids hung out on the main streets in Nairobi, and when a friend of ours was at a stop light, a kid ran up and grabbed his glasses off his face and ran away. He needed the glasses to see enough to drive. That was scary. I knew I had to hold my back pack in front and always be alert re: who was near me. Uganda, Kenya, Costa Rica … very much the same. And I had heard very much re: your country… we have missionaries from our church in the northern area, and I’ve also heard some of the stories from YWAM members. SO, obviously, the Lord is using you in a way that is needed world-wide, so much pain and sorrow connected to these young ones who will be the adults surrounding us in days to come. YOU are a blessing!! [“Wish” I was much younger and had the energy and strength to do what you are. I’m to a point in life that the best I can usually do is simply encourage.]
Again… you are a blessing.
Joanne, I get amazed every time you share your experiences. They encourage me and the readers. Thank you for your kind words and for your encouragement. You are a blessing too, sister!