|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Hello from Romania! Yes, we are now in Romania after spending about 5 ½ months in South Asia.
We left Asia a few days ago and are now in Braila, Romania,
working with our dear friends at Diaconia Clinic. Over the next few months, you
will get to know the people and work of Diaconia. But for this newsletter, we
want to recap the last few months. What an adventure!
|
|
As we think back over recent months, a multitude of
experiences come to mind. So many beautiful faces, often full of character and
aged beyond their years, flood our minds. We have so many memories stored in
our hearts and are thankful to God for the opportunity to be on adventure with
Him.
|
In order to measure success, we must assess the eternal
fruit that is born out of our efforts in the Kingdom. We believe that the Lord
has used our meager efforts to create things of eternal value. Honestly, when
we said "yes" to God and moved to South Asia,
we knew we wanted to help the
poorest of the poor, but we did not know how we
would be able to help. It was only after we arrived that God directed us to
begin teaching Christians about their responsibility to care for the poor. God
knew what He was doing! Here are
a few
success stories:
|
|
After learning about God's desire for us to show kindness to
"the least of these", one church decided to take action. They began to gather
food, clothes, and money to help the poorest among them. Many Hindus are
questioning the Christians concerning their "strange" behavior lately. What a
great opportunity to show the difference between religious activity and true
love and compassion.
|
Many evangelists have begun to help people in their villages in
numerous ways. Some encouraged young peopl e in their education, even walking
with them through the frightening process of applying for government assistance
to attend college. Many sick people, frightened to leave the village to look
for help, were taken to the hospital. Lives have been saved in the physical and
the spiritual.
|
One elderly woman shared with us that she felt so
insignificant and could not imagine that she could make a difference. While
attending one of these training programs, she heard the parable of the curd.
This is the Indianized version of the yeast parable. When we began teaching
this parable, we realized that Indians do not make bread, so they did not know
about yeast. But, they know how to make yogurt. Each training, we would have
someone explain the process of yogurt making. "First, you boil the milk, then
allow it to cool. Next, you add just a little bit of yogurt and let it sit overnight. In the morning you have yogurt that is  firm and delicious. All of the
ladies wanted to give their recipe, but the main point was that it only takes a
very small amount of curd (yogurt) to change the whole pot of milk. They were
encouraged to be that curd that brings big change. They understood! After
hearing that God loves to use small things to make a big difference, this
elderly woman decided that He could use her, too.
|
The work that was accomplished during our time in India was not
only beneficial to the indigenous people. Oh, how God worked in our hearts! He
used our frustrations to develop character that is pleasing to Him. He also
humbled us over and over. How humbling it was to teach these "untouchables" to
touch others with kindness. How humbling to teach them to give to the poor.
These people, many without sufficient food and housing themselves, were taught
to give of their resources to bless the less fortunate. Often our prayer as we
taught was "God, you have to show up in a big way and show them that you bless
those who bless the poor. Show them that your Word is true."
|
We also saw miraculous healings that encouraged our faith.
While in a very remote village, one woman came to a training program with her
14 month old daughter. This little girl, though dressed in a cute little dress,
was so near death. Her tiny arms were nothing but bones covered with loose skin.
Her expression was pained. As we questioned this mother, we found out that she
was born with two holes in her heart. The mother had taken her to the hospital
but was told that they could not repair the holes until her lung s were clearer.
This child seemed only days away from death. Our hearts were broken for her and
her mother. We had nothing to do but cry out to a loving Father who is able to
heal. We pleaded for this child's life and left the village, not knowing her
fate. Often we wondered about her. Had her mother returned to the hospital? Was
the little girl still alive? Only two days before we left, we hear the
incredible news that God healed this baby and many people have come to the Lord
after seeing this miracle. Hallelujah!
|
We will never forget our adventure in South
Asia. We believe that God did amazing things through our simple
efforts. That is how big our God is! Your prayers and generosity made this
possible. Thank you for helping us share the love of the Father.
Going for Him,
Stephanie and Leslie
| |
|
|
|
