The most recent donors: Victoria and Clara Selemani -- Amount: about 35 cents a piece! It happened like this.
I just finished reading the Bible with the girls and we prayed again about Nampula together. After Clara finished, she got all excited and said, "Mom, I want to give my spending money for the center!" My reflex thought was, "Don't bother. The coins won't make much of a difference."
But as I processed the thought, Victoria, the older wiser sister blurted out the thought, "No, Clara. It won't make a difference."
By then, my processing had got me to the point of, "Well, what if everyone who is giving thought that way? My gift is too small and so I won't give." So Victoria, not to be left behind, quickly said she wanted to give as well.
But the idea was still rolling around our heads 10 minutes later as the girls climbed into bed -- into my bed. See, Victor is gone to Nampula and the deal at our house is when Dad is gone, the kids get to take turns sleeping with Mom! So tonight was their night!
So Victoria asked again, "Will the bank take our coins or do we have to have --what do you call it, Mom?" "Bills." "Yes, bills. Don't we have to have bills to give?" I explained that enough coins will eventually equal a bill.
Then I brought up the story of the boy who offered his lunch to Jesus. Did he say it was too small? What matters is the heart of giving and WHO we give it to. God is able to multiply what we give Him and it will be enough.
And then Clara wiggled and said with shining eyes, "I'm so excited! Not about sleeping in bed with Mom but about giving to the center!" Thank you, Lord, for using this to teach her the joy of giving to You!
Another donor:
A missionary friend working in Azerbaijan sent in a pledge and then added: "I just wanted to say that I have really been encouraged by your step of faith. My small team of one local family and me are trying to buy only one house and have a payment coming up in just 3 months of only $40,000. After I saw how much God provided for you in pledges I was so encouraged about how much God can provide. Thanks for helping build my faith! God will provide all you need and all that we need!"
Amen! Thank you, Father, for encouraging this sister and we do ask You to provide all that that team needs for Your work to continue in that country!
