One thing I love about living on the “mission field” (aka.
in Africa) is that, unlike many people, we get to witness/be a part of the
direct impact of your missions dollars. I think I sometimes take for granted
how cool that is!
Just today, we were sitting and chatting with a doctor
friend who daily sees patients impacted by your dollars. While he is able to
buy medications and provide extremely knowledgeable counsel to some of the
poorest, sickest people in Angola … local clinics and hospitals lack even basic
necessities. And it’s thanks to donors like you that he can do his work! Just
recently, he recounted seeing a boy with such extreme malaria that he arrived
in a coma. The boy recovered … but not without a severe complication of malaria—he
began to lose complete blood circulation in his toes and teeth (extremities).
His toes were in need of amputation … but the family didn’t have the money to
send him to Lubango for surgery! So … in a life-saving move … Dr. Tim offered
to cover the MAF flight to Lubango through his ministry funds! The boy received
the surgery he needed and is likely to make a very good recovery! From death to
life!
Dr. Tim flies all next week with MAF to some of the most
under-served clinics in eastern Angola. Marcel has been working intense hours
to prep the planes for this journey, since they will put in a lot of flight hours
and won’t be able to undergo maintenance for an entire week. While the work is
extensive, the hours spent chatting with Tim about his medical ministry
certainly help us realize why we are here—to provide basic human dignity!
I’ve been pondering money lately, and how, sadly controlling
money can be. Whether you are a slave to money because you work, work, work to
afford all the greatest things … or you are a slave to money because you just
don’t have enough … there’s no doubt that for any human, anywhere on the earth,
money would likely rank somewhere in the top five “daily worries”. How sad is
that?
Even here in Angola—where I feel incredibly rich compared to
some people—I am not freed from the temptation of money. Some days, we worry
more than we should about money. God knows our needs! Other days, I find myself
thinking that money is the solution to all problems here in Angola—and it’s
not, thankfully! A saving relationship with Jesus is worth infinitely more than
any charity! Other days, I wish for more money or wish that things cost less.
Money grips our thoughts when it shouldn’t!
Yet, God, in his wisdom, has provided a remedy for our
tendency to have an idolatrous attitude about money. As I read in my morning
devotional, “Giving [money] away breaks the grip of greed, teaches us to trust
and obey God, and is an avenue through which treasure can be stored up in
heaven.” And this I know to be so true! There’s something so freeing about sharing
wealth and giving generously.
So to tie it all together—if you feel like you are a slave
to money, may I suggest a beautiful remedy? Missions. Find a place where you
can give of your money, whether directly or indirectly, and experience the blessing
of sharing your wealth. It doesn’t have to be MAF, or Angola—but rest assured,
I know a few good people who could use your help, if you’re interested! J
