Mind-blowing! Thought-provoking! Humbling...
One year ago, our family came home from a self-guided missions immersion trip to the Philippines... we came home changed... hearts broken for the things that break God's heart!
A response was stirring in our hearts... the need so immensely great and us, so utterly inadequate... yet God continued to propel us forward, compelling us to respond... thus, the idea of Eucharisteo: A Celebration of Joy came into being in the Spring of this year.
It started with my sister and me, just chatting... she is President and Founder of a community choir, the Toronto Cantata Chorus, and a huge part of their mission has been to give back to the community by offering benefit concerts for a variety of organizations.
Could we do this? Raise $30,000.00 to build a permanent facility for Compassion's Patnubay Child Development Centre? The endeavour seemed enormous {still feels enormous today, the eve of the benefit event}... yet the thought that kept coming to mind was this, "Our God is greater!"
God kept putting together puzzle piece after puzzle piece... guest artists agreeing to perform for free... Ann Voskamp gifting us with her presence as a guest speaker {imagine that!}... a 1000-seat venue free-of-charge... on and on the puzzle pieces kept falling into place!
God truly does make all things beautiful in His time, doesn't he?
Friends, don't get me wrong...
This saying "Yes!"... it has not been all easy. It has sometimes been a little bit {okay, a lot!} too overwhelming and I've freaked out. As recently as two weeks ago, I had an ugly melt-down and God had to have a word with me! :-)
It has been a season of learning, of stepping out of comfort zone, of letting go of my own will and desires, of letting God do His thing, of learning to sit back, to just watch, to follow and to fully trust Him!
But... I wouldn't trade this experience for anything! Our family feels truly blessed and honoured to be able to join God where He is at work... to live out our thanksgiving, to do thanks-living!
And these verses have been so real to us these past six months as we planned and organized Eucharisteo: A Celebration of Joy...
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving — the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
~ 2 Corinthians 9:8-15, NLT.
Yes, indeed... this gift is too wonderful for words!
So, as I sit here in reflection on this beautiful, sunny, first Autumn Friday morning of this year... there is nothing left to say but, "Thank you, God!"... for blessings that flow freely and for the privilege of being your hands and feet to a world in need! I am in awe...
Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.
Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!
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