Entrusted with much – A Double Dare August 11, 2011

photos by Tina Weir

I dare you to take ACTION on a dream, bigger than yourself, which will change the world. Today I have a guest post from a beautiful young  twenty something, Katie Davis.   After you read the post be sure to check out
Katie’s web site for the rest of the story http://www.amazima.org/katiesstory.html
If you are fearless, I dare you to read Katie’s entire blog at http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

Beware, Katie’s journey will challenge you to step up and step out.

 

“I thought that if she was just going to die anyway, I should let her die quickly. Then I wouldn’t have to love her, and it wouldn’t have to hurt. Anyway, if she lives, she’ll just grow up to be like this. Who wants to live like this?”

 

5 months ago my friend Regina, a Karimojong woman who picks fallen branches off our street to sell as firewood and occasionally stopped in for water, came to me desperate. She and her 4 small children had been evicted from their house because for the fourth time in four months she had been unable to pay their rent. As I looked at the three youngest, all on the brink of starving to death, I will admit I judged her. I had been providing the family with food for a while now, how did the children still look like this? But as she breathed the words above I understood. If one’s hope is not in Christ, she simply believes that life is hard and then you die. If this is the case then of course, of course, run from the hard. If you know the pain of losing a child and you know that you will, eventually lose this one too, then obviously your only choice is to run. Immediately, my judgment turned to sorrow.

 

I don’t think I have to tell you what happened next. Regina, Girl, Capata, Salimu, and baby Katie moved in. They needed a place to go, they needed some hearty meals, and Regina needed someone to teach her how to love her children. Someone to teach her about the Savior.

“I am entrusting you with much,” He whispered.

 

4 months ago Makerere, the resident “crazy man” of Masese showed up at my gate with his leg burnt to the bone. Believing that his leg was salvageable even after several doctors alleged otherwise, I continued to bandage it daily. The only problem? As soon as Makerere went home each day he again fell prey to the addiction that has haunted him for years. Drunk and stumbling around the slum, his leg would get dirty and he would forget to eat. There was no way it would heal if he kept this up. His house had been burnt down; the reason for his leg wound, and all Makerere really wanted was to die. We begged him to move into the small house in our backyard. (This little house serves as a place for men or families to stay while we minister to them so that both my family and our guests can maintain a semblance of “normal” life while living in community.) Friends advised against it. “You can’t move the crazy guy into your back yard. You can’t let the crazy guy sit at your table.” But the vote from the kids was unanimous. Yes you can. We packed his remaining belongings (a lantern, an extra shirt, and half of a chair) into our van and made him part of the family.

“I am entrusting you with much,” God whispered.

 

Last week a grandmother approached me at worship in Buziika and handed me a 6 pound 7 month old. I wasn’t really sure he was breathing. His mother is dead, his father is gone, and this grandmother is just not really sure what to do with him. Figuring he would need at least a month of high fat milk dropped into his little mouth every twenty minutes before he was ready to live in Buziika and be bottle fed by Grandma, we again made the decision to grow. The two of them hopped in the van to come home with us while Grandma learns to take care of sweet baby Juma. In conversation on the way home it was apparent that Grandma had some confused ideas about Jesus and witchcraft. I sighed as I realized that taking care of babies wasn’t all we would be teaching her.

“I am entrusting you with much,” He whispered.

 

Today Regina and all 4 of her children are incredibly healthy and happy. Though we will miss them terribly, it is time for them to move out, to stand on their own two feet. Regina has been doing some work around the house to build up some savings and with this money and a small loan from Amazima, will begin selling tomatoes and onions to make an income and support her family herself. She is a beautiful mother. She is a beautiful friend.

 

Makerere’s leg is almost completely healed. Only some pink granulation tissue and lots of smooth brown skin cover the area that was once festering with infection. Makerere is 3
months sober. He will stay here for a bit longer because he is afraid to relapse, but soon he will begin attending vocational school. This face that was once constantly sullen is now ever-joyful. Makerere smiles and sings songs he has learned at church as he rakes our leaves or picks eggplant from our garden.

 

While Grandma and baby Juma are still fairly new, Grandma is learning and Juma is already growing. They are a sweet addition to our days.

 

This house I call home, it is where people flock for help. For a glass of water, for a welcoming smile, for a story of redemption, for a place to belong. “Come and listen,” we say. “Come and listen to what He’s done for us. For you.” These 8 will leave, but more will come. They always come. I don’t know why us and I don’t know why here. Our house is a wreck and dinner is late. We make a ruckus in the grocery store and we don’t get invited out much because surely we will bring a screaming baby or worse, crazy people. We are late to church and sometimes we get there and one doesn’t have shoes and one forgot to comb her hair. We are the messy ones. And we pray and we pray that we could spill out the grace God has so lavished on us.

 

13 pairs of eyes look at me as if I hold the world. I pray they learn from me half of what I learn from them. They are growing. Trauma from their pasts surfaces and we fight to cling to truth and joy. The days feel long but the years are so short. Time slips away and these little people transform into big people and I pray only that they are becoming people who know Him more.

“I have entrusted you with much,” He whispers.

 

The book releases in October. I know what this means: more eyes on us. I struggle with the thought of it. All I want is more eyes on Him. I am just a broken mess, grabbing for His feet, reaching out to touch His cloak, thankful for His mercy that washes over me. I am just a little girl, relieved to crawl into His lap and curl up there.

He has entrusted me with so much. And from those who much has been entrusted, much more will be demanded. We want only to represent Him well. So I have taken some time away to feel the weight of it all. 13 little girls, the families in the back yard, friends, family, people in Masese, people in Buziika, people in America looking at me. And Satan whispers, “Run. Run and run and run. No book. No blog. No more homeless people in the guestroom. Lock your doors. Take these 13 and just shut yourselves in and stay away from all these eyes because you are not good enough to have so many eyes on you. Run.”

 

But I look out in the yard and I see only redemption. I see God making thorn bushes into pine trees. I see Him filling our holes with His blood. I see traumatized children that struggle sometimes but laugh mostly. I see them embracing these one-drunk, once-lifeless, once-starving people who are growing in a merciful, healing Father. I see lives changed and I see eternities changed. I see family where there once was only loneliness. And I don’t know why He chose me, this broken little girl, to witness all of it.

 

I look up. And His voice is so much louder than Satan’s. “I have entrusted you with much and I have demanded of you much. But only with me will your life bear much. So run. Run and run and run into my arms. Run. Run and run and run into this world sharing this story that has Me at the center. This making of disciples, it is my business. And I am with you always and my burden is light. I spill through your brokenness and I will be glorified. I promise. I will be glorified.” And that is all I want.

 

I sat in the heaviness. And I weighed the risks of sharing our entire life, all of it, the joy and the sad, the beautiful and the ugly, with the whole crazy world. And I know. That if on
the other side of that risk is the possibility that someone may see Jesus in our brokenness and know that there is grace and purpose in theirs too, then thewhole crazy world is welcome. For a glass of water, for a welcoming smile, for a story of redemption, for a place to belong. For a glimpse of a Savior who uses even us, the messy ones. “Come
and listen to what He’s done for us. For you.”

 

We look up. We are thankful for the mess. We are thankful for the much. We are thankful for a story to share, the story of His death and His story in our lives.

 

Would you pray with us? That as eyes turn to us, they would see only Him. That however, whatever, wherever He would be glorified. He will.

 

Guest post by:  Katie Davis http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

photos by Tina Weir

 

 

Do you hear God’s whisper? “I have entrusted you with much.  Now what are you going to do with My resources?”
 

Living the double dare,

  Ginger

Grandma’s Gravy Bowl September 25, 2009

 

Grandma's Gravy Bowl

 

 Grandaddy ate piping hot homemade biscuits and gravy every morning for breakfast on the farm.  Do you know how big the flour sacks were in those days?  My Grandma bought flour in a cloth fifty-pound sack!  She kept the flour in a large pull out bin below the countertop.  I think it was the size of my laundry hamper.

 

 Ah, the joy of childhood.  Every summer my sister, brother and I would spend the entire summer on the farm with our grandparents in rural Tennessee.  Visions of homemade biscuits and gravy frolic in my mind and dance on my tastebuds.  Mud pies in tin pie plates, hen houses, chickens, horses, cows, homegrown tomatoes, tractors, bare feet, bumble bees, morning glories, and most importantly … a half a stick of real butter creamed together with a quarter cup of honey slathered on a piping hot biscuit!  The biscuit with the honey-butter was the breakfast desert after the biscuit and gravy entree.  Yes, you read the measurements correctly and that was one serving!

 

 Life was sweet and carefree.

 

One of my most treasured possessions is my Grandma’s gravy bowl.  It is priceless to me.  I have not followed in my Grandma’s steps of making homemade biscuits and gravy every day.  Decades ago, I gave up the honey concoction for a more modest ratio of butter to honey.  However, every bowl of gravy that I have served family and friends has been served in my Grandma’s gravy bowl.

 

Last weekend, I whipped up some homemade biscuits and gravy for my Prince Charming.  We dipped gravy out of Grandma’s gravy bowl and savored our time together, overlooking the lake and making new memories together in Texas.

 

 Life is not as sweet and carefree as it once was as a child, but the things that matter most still remain.

 

 As I move from summer to the first fresh days of fall, I am reminded of the importance of creating lasting traditions and memories for family and friends.  I think I will get out my Grandma’s gravy bowl again this weekend and invest in those I love.  Maybe Prince Charming will treat me to breakfast at the Blue Bonnet Cafe www.bluebonnetcafe.net  in Marble Falls, Texas.  The Blue Bonnet Cafe is one of our new traditions.  Their biscuits and gravy are as good as Grandma’s and better than mine.

 

Our faithful God treasures people not things.  Matthew has a great reminder for each of us in chapter 6.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”    Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)

 

I hope you will join me in making this weekend special by spending time with family and friends. 

 

What do you do to create simple lasting memories?  Leave a comment, I would love to hear your memory making story.

 

  Sweet blessings,

    Ginger

    P.S.  Because I am a true southern girl, I called my grandmother “Mamaw.”

Ohhh, Mama! Bridging the Generation Gap August 6, 2009

Ohhh, Mama! Bridging the Generation Gap

Sitting in the airport I observe anxious parents hug, pray, wave and watch as their college students head to South Africa to study for a semester abroad.  Unknown questions abound.  As they enter security, they still must contact the US Embassy regarding some visa issues.  I overhear one parent say to another parent, “At least they are going together.  You went by yourself.”

                  

The anxious parents press toward the final barrier of the security labyrinth followed by two friends of the college students.  Out of the earshot of the parents one young man comments to his buddy, “I bet my Mama will be the same way when I leave.”

 

Ohhh, Mama!  Tears fill my eyes because at this moment my son Aaron is moving from one side of Bangkok, Thailand to the other side of town.  He is alone.  The summer missionaries have headed back to the United States.  Aaron is not heading back home.  He is leaving what has become his home away from home.  Aaron is exchanging the familiar security and safety of the know surroundings for the unknown. 

 

A family covering three generations is traveling together.  I hear “Xladskjf alskdfj jadlkfjei lsk lakdj reowp.”  I wonder what it is like for Aaron to be surrounded by words he barely understands.  It was a challenge for him to register for classes last week because of the language barrier. 

 

Ohhh, Mama!

 

At the She Speaks Conference this weekend, I had the privilege of hearing a young mama with a newborn baby girl encourage women of all ages to “Bridge the Generation Gap.”  Her name is Aimy.  In her introduction she said, “Don’t tell my Grand-Ma I have this baby out and I am not at home!”

 

Aimy’s words reminded me of my first outing with my daughter.  Amber was born on Sunday morning and the following Saturday we were at Wal-Mart shopping.  I had no idea why I attracted so much attention with my tiny baby girl (she weighed 4lbs 12 ozs. at her first weeks checkup).  OK, now I get it!

 

Imagine the looks I received when I proudly walked into the nursery the following morning at First Baptist Church in Humboldt, Tennessee.  Carl and I were grinning from ear to ear as we handed our precious girl over to the sweet gray haired ladies who exclaimed, “She is so tiny!”  The women sought clarity……”She’s how old?”  “One week old!”

 

Ohhh, Mama!

 

Can you imagine the conversations in the church nursery that day?  In retrospect, I am glad I never heard their words.  Most of all I appreciate the fact that they loved my Amber and they loved on me and encouraged me as a new Mom.

 

Ohhh, Mama!  The good news is…. Amber survived and is thriving as a happy newlywed.  Aaron met two students who speak English before the end of his first day at his new condo.

 

Growing up is never comfortable or easy no matter which side you are on.  Each new season has its joys and challenges.  Oftentimes, we walk in ignorant bliss.  Other times we walk alone under the critical eye and misunderstanding of others.

 

Let us band together as women and sing the sweet songs of encouragement for our dear sisters from every generation.  Ohhh, Mama’s far and wide check out Aimy’s blog at http://AimysGeneration.blogspot.com for wisdom and insight on bridging the generation gaps.  Make sure you take the survey at the top and represent your generation.

Sweet blessings,

 Ginger

PS  “txt Aimy your seminar rocked…love u girl from ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!’ lol”

 

I’ll send your Grand-ma a hand written note and your mom an e-mail 🙂

Raising Valiant Sons and Daughters July 23, 2009

 

 

Valiant Son

 

Strong, brave and courageous young men and women are among us.  You and I have seen them in our midst and marveled at their courage and depth of character.  What does it take to raise valiant sons and daughters in a generation plagued by greed, immorality, political unrest and every kind of wickedness?

 

Two imperfect individuals come together as Dad and Mom and create junior.  Maybe Dad and Mom are a team pulling together or they are individuals still pulling in their own direction.  Sometimes parents make a sacrificial decision to let someone else raise their child.

 

Regardless of the steps that bring us to parenting we still want to do our best.  When we embrace our responsibilities to equip the next generation; where do we begin if we want to raise valiant sons and daughters?  Our sons and daughters will become the adults of tomorrow.  Will they be courageous young adults who will lead and influence their families, communities, cities, nations and the world for what is good and right?

 

This morning I was awed as I began to read my Bible about a young man named Daniel.  As a child and as a young teenager, Daniel lived in a nation where God was forgotten and mocked.  The nation of Israel was filled with every kind of wickedness.  The people worshiped the works of their own hands.  Wickedness, a forgotten God and people worshiping the works of their own hands sounds a lot like the nations of our world today.

 

Not only was Daniel surrounded by all of this wickedness in his homeland, as a teenager he was taken as a slave into the immoral nation of Babylon.  Imagine if our sons and daughters were taken from us as young teenagers into a wicked immoral environment, how would they function?  Would they be sucked into the conduct of the people around them or would they stand for what they know is right and true?

 

As I observed young Daniel’s life after he was taken as a slave, I saw some amazing characteristics. First, I saw who his “running buddies” were; Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  Daniel and his three friends are described as intelligent, endowed with understanding, discerning in knowledge, and they had the ability for serving in the king’s court. Next, I saw that Daniel “made up his mind” to follow the dietary guidelines given to the nation of Israel by God.  Daniels obedience prompted God to grant him favor and compassion in the sight of the commander. The results, Daniel and his three friends were taken into the king’s personal service.  Out of all of the handsome, intelligent, knowledgeable youths taken from Israel not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  The king also found them to be ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers and wise men in the nation of Babylon. Daniel and his friends were valiant, strong, brave, courageous and successful because they knew their God and they obeyed Him faithfully.

 

Let us stand together as parents of the next generation.  First we must put off the practices of the world and apply the teachings of the Bible in our daily lives.  To lead by example we must know, love and obey God with our whole hearts.  Next, we must teach our children to know, love, and obey God with their whole hearts.  None of us will ever get it right all of the time; neither will our friends, family and Christian brothers and sisters.  God extends grace and encourages us to dust off the sin and get right back on His path.

 

Like Daniel, our sons and daughters will choose their “running buddies” and make up their own minds whom to follow.  We can trust God to bless and correct.  Let us join together and ask God to help us be valiant parents who lead by example and equip our children in the truth of Who God is and the importance of obeying Him and following His plan each day of our lives.

 

Only God can bring the increase and grant us courageous young adults who will lead and influence their families, communities, cities, nations and the world for what is good and right.  Our responsibility is to be faithful in parenting according to Biblical principles and trust God to raise valiant sons and daughters in our midst for His purpose.

 

   Raising warriors,

  Ginger

 

“Faith Like Potatoes” July 14, 2009

 

"Faith Like Potatoes"

 

Potatoes grow and mature below the surface of the ground much like our faith. 

 

Physical growth is not an easy process.  There are awkward and painful times as we transition from one age bracket or stage to another.  Oftentimes, we can have the appearance of an adult but our behavior communicates that we have a long way to go to reach maturity.

The movie “Faith Like Potatoes” illustrates the uneasy and awkward transition from trusting in your abilities and intellect to trusting in the unseen God.  It is based on a remarkable true life story of Angus Buchan.  Special thanks to our friends Charles and Kimberly who recommended the movie to us.  It is available for rental at our local Blockbuster and may be purchased at Family Christian Stores or at www.amazon.com . 

 

This is a great “date night” movie.  Carl and I both enjoyed the movie.  We will be adding it to our personal movie library.  It starts a little slow laying the  ground work but the story builds momentum and has surprising twists and turns.

 

The plot synopsis by Jason Buchanan:

“Angus Buchan’s award-winning autobiographical novel is adapted for the big screen by director Reghardt van den Bergh, who traces the story of the rugged South African farmer as he endures remarkable adversity on his quest to discover the true power of faith. Set in the tempestuous hills of the KZN midlands, Faith Like Potatoes follows Buchan from his early attempts to achieve material success, through the personal transformation that follows a series of seemingly insurmountable losses, and a close friendship forged with his faithful Zulu farmhand. Like the potatoes planted in his field, Buchan’s faith remains hidden until the harvest, when he learns how the power of faith can help him to begin the personal healing process, and become more accepting of others.”

 

Post your “movie review” comments.  I would love to hear what you think about the movie.  How did it encourage you in your personal journey of faith?  Did it challenge you in your relationship and conduct with your spouse?  Do you have a faith story of how you were led to trust God?  What legacy are you modeling for your children and community?

Growing in grace,

  Ginger  

A Call to Freedom July 3, 2009

A Call to Freedom

 

“The Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. ”  “There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery.  They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.  The land mourns….”   There are droughts, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and monsoons.  Will real hope and freedom ring out this Independence Day?

 

These are strong words spoken by the prophet Hosea between 755-714 B.C.  It is interesting how Hosea’s words ring true in America and all around the world today.  Hosea goes on to say, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being my priest.  Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”  Their ignorance of the knowledge of God was willful.  The priests of the day comingled the worship of Jehovah with the false idols in the land.  Not only was judgment coming on the people but it was also going to impact their children.

 

As a mom, I will do anything within my power to protect and nurture my children.  I want to position them on solid ground for the future.  The best way I have found to do that is to dig into the Bible.  First, I study and learn and then most importantly I apply what I learn.  I take action!  I walk according to what I have learned.  My actions and walk are imperfect but I am headed in the right direction.

 

What direction are you headed in this Independence Day?  Are you walking in freedom with hope and joy?  A great resource for helping each of us get on the right track is “Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days” by Kay Arthur.  It is one of my favorites.  It is simple and straight forward.  If you will invest 15-20 minutes per day for the next 28 days you will be amazed at what you will learn.  You will gain insight on principles of freedom that will bless your life and the lives of your children, family, friends, co-workers, community and nation.

Lord Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days

 

https://secure2.convio.net/pmi/site/Ecommerce?FOLDER=1132&store_id=1101&JServSessionIdr011=dz0g8qx8f3.app27a

 

 This little book is great for students and adults of all ages.  It is an excellent starting point for people with little or no previous interaction with the Bible.  Individuals who have studied the Bible will be delighted to see how their personal study will go to the next level.

 

Share a comment if you have read and studied “Lord, Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days.”  I’d love to hear how you used it and what it meant to you.

 

Let us all celebrate the freedom and joy we have in being a part of this great nation…..the United States of America!

 

May Freedom Ring In Your Life,

   Ginger