If you could change the life of 1 person, would you do it? Or do you just throw up your hands and say “it is impossible to help a nation, especially a third world nation, if the government of that nation is overwhelmed with so many needs and little resources, and have a hard time helping their own people, how and why would I want to? If I wanted to, how could I”?
Good questions to ask yourselves, I have asked those same questions of myself recently, with all the needs here in my own country, why this overwhelming desire to sponsor children, in of all places, Ethiopia! Wow! Where did that even come from?
The past several months, Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about Grace , the kind of Grace that empowers you to persevere and stand as a follower of Christ, not only the precious grace of eternal life, but the Grace to live the amazing life of a follower of Christ. Holy Spirit has also been speaking to me about being a doer of the word and not just a hearer, as James 1:22-24 says in the Message.
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”‘
I want to think out of my own box of reasoning, to discover that big things are accomplished not of my own strength, but, from the strength and power that comes from Jesus Christ, God says that His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) So as I am weak, yet I will be strong with God!
I want to share my heart with you about sponsorship through Hawassa Hope. Why was I drawn to Hawassa Hope? Well, I knew the founders were solid believers and followers of Jesus Christ, they have been doers of the Word and not just hearers.They saw the need in Ethiopia and they acted out of faith and obedience to do what only could be done if God was in it, and yes, I could see it was all God, and He was the One being lifted up. God has taken willing vessels to further the cause of orphans and widows, who are so dear to His heart.
However, doesn’t His word command all of us to act….
James 1:27 in the Message says…
Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from a godless world.
I have heard it said, see who is running fast after God and come along side them, well that is what my husband and I did. Brad and I have been blessed to sponsor 2 beautiful children, H, who is 4 and M, who is 9 years old.
I was blessed to meet them in person just 2 short weeks ago, tears even now swell up in my eyes, and my heart beats fast. I am remembering seeing them face to face, to see the children face to face that you have been praying for, to know they are real, and for them to know I am real and I care for them, it is more than just giving money, it is giving a piece of your heart. It is about relationship, that is what is so special about sponsoring a child through Hawassa Hope and being able to be part of a mission trip to see with your own eyes what God is doing in their lives because you are willing to believe that YES!
With God 1 person can impact 1 life and that 1 life can potentially impact thousands of lives for Christ! Are you seeing the bigger picture now? You can be a part of changing the world!, just step out with faith and ask God, to show you and do it!
I was asked by someone why Ethiopia?
I heard in my spirit this profound, yet simple answer from God—He said, “Why not?” I could not think of any specific reasons. Just know:
If God gives you a peace about something He is calling you to do, act on it. It is a wonderful place to be, resting in the perfect will of God.