Dirty Feet

In case you were wondering, yes, these are my feet. Pretty disgusting, aren't they? I had walked to market and back home before I took this picture. All the dirt and dust of the market, animals walking around, rubbish everywhere and, of course, animal droppings. I couldn't wait to wash my feet. As I washed them, I couldn't help but think of Jesus' taking the role of a servant, washing the feet of the disciples. I can't imagine someone else washing my feet when they are this dirty. When we have a foot washing service, peoples' feet are pretty clean. But, here, in everyday life, clean feet isn't always reality. What a humbling experience it must have been to have the Lord of Lords wash your feet. Imagine the humility of Jesus as He did this act of love.

Lord, give me Your humble spirit.

Gifty

This is Gifty. Isn't she cute? I have her picture on my computer desktop. She is one of the children who live at the Lawra Methodist Orphan and Vulnerable Children Centre. She is here because her grandmother is one of the HIV patients. Her grandmother has no one to take care of her, so, Matilda, Gifty's mother takes care of the grandmother. And, of course, Gifty goes where mom goes. The father isn't part of their lives right now. When Gifty arrived at the Centre, she was moderately malnourished. As you can see, she is doing much better now. Her sister also lives at the center.

The reason why I have Gifty's picture on my desktop is to remind me to pray for her. Do you see the beads and amulets around Gifty? Those are signs that someone in her family practices the Traditional Religion that is in the area. They are to protect her from the evil spirits. Someone in Gifty's family has claimed her for evil. I have claimed her for Jesus Christ! As I hold her, I tell her, "Jesus loves you." I pray against the enemy. I pray that one day Gifty will claim Christ for her own. I pray that one day Gifty's family will know Christ as their Savior. Won't you join me in praying for Gifty and her family?

Blessed are the Poor

"Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of God." Luke 6:20

Lord, I never really noticed before today that this verse doesn't say "poor in spirit." The poor, those who live in poverty, are about 90% of the world's population.You included them in Your Word.They are important to You, their lives matter, they mean some thing to You. What are You saying to me, Lord? Do I need to become "poor"? Here, in Lawra, Ghana, I am considered as and looked at as being "rich." Back in Pennsylvania, I live a very simple life. It isn't easy to going from having whatever I need and want to not being able to fill my needs and wants, at least not being able to fill them with any measure of ease. Does that mean I need to trust You more fully? Does that mean I should be satisfied with what I have? Lord, I want sheets for my beds, yet, most people here don't even have beds. What does that say about me? Am I a spoiled American? Or does that say that I want to have a comfortable resting place for a weary traveler? I hope it is the latter. I know that the food items I miss are definitely wants. There is no question whether or not I can live without chicken breast meat or cheese or crystal lite or even marshmallow peeps. You have blessed me with those things from time to time, and I am grateful for those times. But, Lord, the people here are living in poverty. They have no one but You. Those who believe have such a strong faith, they depend on You for everything. Bless them and keep them close to You. Show me what my part is to be in their lives.

Words of Wisdom

This morning after church and after the church meeting, I had the opportunity to talk with two different people. It has been a difficult time for both of these people, both facing hard to deal with issues. The thought that kept coming to mind was one that a dear friend, Ava Steiner, always gave when I was in similiar situations. When you pray for a situation pray: 1. That Truth will arise 2. Pray blessing on the person/situation 3. Pay that God's will will be done. This is the way I have been praying for years. I thank God for these words of wisdom!