A post from Melinda

Satan has been hard at work trying to keep me from posting on the blog.  I don't know what I'm meant to share, and I don't know who is meant to read it, but I am certain that the LORD has ordained for my words to touch someone, because it has been such a struggle for me to accomplish what should have been a simple task.  I started a facebook post during the drive here on Sunday, but my efforts were thwarted at least 4 different times.  Twice by unexpected stops due to an extreme case of car-sickness (poor Grayson had quite a miserable trip, but thanfully has felt wonderful since we arrived), once due to no signal, and once due to sparkling conversation with my sister!  Then Sunday night before bed, I attempted to post on this blog, but found out that I am still classified as a follower (from following last year's group) and am therefore not allowed to post.  After clicking on every possible part of the blog, I finally gave up and accepted that it wasn't simply "operator error".  So I once again attempted to post on facebook,  but I was interrupted by a phone call,  a nudge from "Words with Friends", and then I fell asleep.  I have asked three different leaders about sending me another invitation, but everyone is so crazy busy, all the time, that is still pending.  I have tried a couple more times Monday and Tuesday, but only now am actually getting something posted, well almost posted, I guess it is still possible that the hotel could lose power and this not actually make it to the blog. But I'm going to continue to strive to accomplish, what I feel the LORD has called me to do, at this moment.

I guess that is, in a nutshell, what all 67 of us are doing this week, in Tennessee.  The trip, the planning, the work, have all had their share of discouragement, and many different signs that Satan isn't interesting in Christians spending a week out of their year to devote their time, energy, talents, efforts, strength, prayers, and love to people for no other reason than to be a picture of the love of Jesus.  Some of us have been welcomed into the homes of lives of the people we have met.  Some of us have been thanked, we have been treated very kindly and respectfully, we have recieved as much from our actions as those people we are attempting to help.  Yet I pray that we all are mindful that although the wonderful feeling and "warm heart" that many of us get when we help others, is an earthly pleasure, it should be at the bottom of the list of our motivation. 

Instead, there are 4 biblical reason that should guide our hearts and minds this week.

1- Christians are expected to have compassion on those we see in need, because it is a result of having the love of God,  In essence, loving God and having his love in you, will cause you to have compassion for those who are less fortunate.

           1 John 3:17

              New International Version (NIV)

                  ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,  how can the love of God be in that person?

2-God loves a cheerful giver.

3-God is able to bless you abundantly.

4-A Christian's obedience to God's command to love one another and to take care of the material needs of those less among us who are less fortunate, results in praise to God.

          2 Corinthians 9:6-15

             New International Version (NIV)

                ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Although their are so many wonderful experiences and we have all been richly blessed, don't think that everything has gone smoothly and everyone has been gracious and pleasant.  At least a few of us have knocked on a door, only to be told "its not a good time", "I don't feel well", or some other less than warm responce.  For every bright smiling face on the Lunch Bus, there have been two sullen, unresponsive, indifferent ones.  The reason I remind others--and myself--of this, is to be sure that we have the right motivation.  If we are here to show the love and God and to obey his command, then it doesn't make any difference how we are recieved.  We are here, we are pushing forward in every attempt to abide by our Lord's command, and We Are Truly Blessed!

Please continue to pray for our continued safety and our ability to show the love of God to those in our path.

In His Holy Name,

Melinda