Leslie and Stephanie will be in the States from November 5th until January 7th. Please let us know if you would like us to share our experiences with your group or church.
You can contact us at:
leslie@lovethroughme.org
or
stephanie@lovethroughme.org
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Greetings!
Some days seem to be full of them- the rejected,
lame, sick, and poor. You see them at the grocery store, hoping someone will
take pity on them and give them a few coins because someone with their
disability could never hope for a job. You see them on the trains and in the
markets begging. You see small  children weaving through traffic at stop lights,
asking for money. You see the hardness in some eyes, and the hopelessness in
others. So many people could have different lives if someone would just get
involved.
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Today, one woman at the homeless shelter, crippled in one
leg due to an ill-given injection at age 5, shared her need for an operation
that would restore the use of her leg. Though she has a disability pension which
should allow her free medical assistance, she cannot afford the surgery because
she has no bribe money for the doctors and nurses. Without this, she will not
receive the help she needs.
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A young man, an adult orphan, crippled due to an
amputation just below the knee, hobbled down the street with a crutch that was
too small and his pants leg lifted to reveal the amputation. This helps with
begging. Another young man with an inverted knee stood at the grocery store
door begging. All of these people could have a different life, but this would require
someone investing in them, loving them enough to get involved in the fear and
frustration that is their lives. This would require love beyond the natural- a
God kind of love that drives you to act in ways that are contrary to self- interest.
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On every continent, in every country, there are many people
in n eed. We don't have to look very far if we really want to find someone to
help. The question is, do we really want to help? Do we want to help enough to
deny ourselves? It's not enough to feel sorry for those in need. Aren't we all
glad that God did more than this for us? God gave of Himself, His own flesh and
blood, to redeem us from the curse we rightfully deserved. Will we give
sacrificially? Giving financially is important, but money does not fix poverty. Dollars do not buy hope. Henry Ford said "Time and money spent in helping men to do more for themselves is far better than mere giving." This is our goal.
As we mentioned in last month's newsletter, in January we
will open a home for young women who were raised in orphanages in Romania and now
are homeless. Most of these girls have never known a home outside of the
orphanage system in Romania.
They have never known love or security and are easy targets for human traffickers. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5278186.stm) We are so glad that God has opened the
doors for us to give ourselves to them with the expected outcome being
changed lives. Please pray for us as we prepare for this great opportunity and
challenge. We cannot do this alone!
Going for Him,
Stephanie and Leslie
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