Blessings

My sister Sally sent this to me and I felt compelled to post it here. It helped me understand why Adam is compelled to be in Bangladesh and gave me even more compassion for those who live and work in the slums. It's long but a good read We have MUCH to be thankful for. This year we are taking the opportunity to spread our thanks to the other side of the world. There is a family I know who live in one of the slums of Visak in India. One of their daughters has been blessed to live and study at Grace Life kid's hostels. Her name is Usha and she is a beautiful teenage lover of Jesus. The last time I was there, her family asked if I would come to their home and walk through the slum to their relative's home to pray for their nephew who lay paralyzed from the chest down from falling off a 3rd story roof. I did and I hope I never forget the honor it was being invited into such a situation. Usha's parents and young siblings are literal, glowing lights in the darkness of the demonic and Hindu slum they live in. Their hut seems to shine at the end of a long, dark tunnel, but it's some kind of spiritual optical illusion. The path, under the open sky and a few overhanging branches is in full light of day, while their hut is so dark they have to guide me in. A filtered light falls from the smoke hole in the back room they've designated as the 'kitchen'. Their beds are a piece of dirty fabric on the concrete slab they are so happy to have under part of their plank and metal sheeting home. A fan hangs from the ceiling of the little room where everyone sleeps. It's wires threaten to strangle me. The blade hits my head even though I'm already stooping. But this family sparkles with joy. Usha's little sister was born prematurely and suffers from seizures and is "different". Her mother hip holds her 4 year old frame and asks me to pray for her, but before I can open my mouth, the little girl reaches out and touches my chest and then my head, while looking steadily, lovingly into my eyes, and speaks words that might be Hindi or Telegu or some construction of her own and I receive the purest, straight from Jesus, blessing ever. Not because it was sweet having a little kid 'bless' me, but because it was the purest, straight from Jesus, blessing ever. She did it to me twice and I was nearly undone by the deep joy that filled me. And then there was outright laughing when I asked what her name was and they said it was Blessy. It is very easy to see the Kingdom of God in this slum. The Light is life radiating out of and around this family. The path that leads to their little home is a gauntlet of dark, heavy, empty eyed families spilling out of their huts. There is no light in the eyes that stare back at me. Not even a glimmer. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than receive. I want us to thank Him for that dynamic this Thanksgiving and get in on that blessing by collecting our extras for Usha's family as they love and follow Jesus in this visibly dark and demonic place. I want them to know that the family of God is proud of them and 'with' them and willing to share what they have with them. I'm not asking for a lot, just the extras that can be collected during this month leading up to Thanksgiving. The pennies and dimes you see on the street. The change you find under the cushions. The coins that fill up the little compartments in your dash, on your dresser, in the bottom of your purse. Bring it on Thanksgiving and I will send it to Kell Frandsen of Grace Life Ministries to deliver to Usha's family. To be honest. I haven't got very much spare change at all this month. Several weeks without paying work tends to do that to a family. Sometimes I like to think I'm exempt from these things because of all the work and sacrifice we already do to help people. But the truth is that I still have way more, that I don't really need, when I'm honest with myself. I can afford to give something.

The Healer

The phone rings at 5:30 AM...usually on Sunday ..It's Adam asking if he woke us up ..it's 7;30 Sunday nite where he lives...He proceeds to tell us how his week went, they all went on a retreat about 2 1/2 hours away which means about a 20 min. drive going across the capital city of Dahka where here spent 4 days in study and in workshops with about 100 other Christians from all over...some from Youth for Christ,Wycliff Bible Translators,YWAM, etc....He said "it was unreal!Experience of a lifetime"

He also spoke of how a week ago the theme for the week was Evangelism...A man from England was teaching them how to share Jesus...then they went to a University which was 95% Muslem and they began to speak and give testimonies ...Adam said he was on the prayer team and He and a few others just prayed..ALL DAY..He said a man carrying a basket of snacks for sell on his head asked Jesus into his heart that day...Oh.... PTL !

He spoke of the people there ..How they have cans of Coke-Cola,Pepsi, Singer sewing machines all from the west but have never heard of the Gospel of Yoesef (Jesus)...????

Keep Him in your prayers as the Lord leads to which Country opens for him to go to the next 2 months...India,Bangladesh or Cambodia.

God is doing a wonderful work all around me..answering so many prayers!

Jan Bement had a miracle recovery.

Mariah is now eating and doing great!

I have been given a job...remodeling a home

Many lives are being changed and a " NEW FIRE " in their lives for the things of God.

God has been blessing me everyday with answers to my prayers..building FAITH and even a stronger TRUST than ever before and yet more requests have begun to pour into my life & heart ...

So I encourage you ..to pray..just talk with God...begin to pour your heart out to HIM or perhaps..Jesus help me, I need you .

And HE... ...The Great Healer ..comes.

Psalms 103;3

"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases"

Love

scott