Now this should tell us all something

[PaleHorse]

Last night I was watching 3ABN and there was a program where the heads of many Adventist groups (the various conferences and unions mostly) were giving money to help those affected by the recent hurricanes here in the USA. Many amounts were up there around the $100,000 range along with one that was $250,000. But there was one donation that really struck me along with the president of the North American Conference.

A small man with a heavy accent (though he spoke perfect English) came up with a check that those members in his conference had raised.

Now, at first, we may be tempted to wonder how the leader of a conference that has over 2 million members would come with a check that would be considered pretty small - especially as compared to the other donations. It wasn't until I heard this man talk about where his conference was that made me truly appreciate his donation:

He is the head of one of the conferences in Central Africa. He shared with us that there are over 2 million Adventists that attend church in his area. Despite the vast numbers of members there are very few pastors; in fact it is not unusual for 1 pastor to administer to 8 to 12 churches! They have 6 hospitals (not including the multiple satellite stations that are used to distribute medical supplies) - they feel they are fortunate because the hospitals have electricity....well, they have it for a couple of hours on Sundays. Some of the hospitals have actual roads that lead to them - so they feel blessed that their hospitals aren't primitive. Each pastor makes about 30 dollars..........a month. But they consider themselves so blessed that they felt they needed to help their Adventist brothers and sisters that were affected here in the US by the hurricanes. They reached this unanimous decision recently at a small bible meeting they had...small because there was only 600 members there. The money they raised was equivalent to the combined salaries of 10 pastors for a year!

This, my friends, is what Christ is about! This is how we should treat people. We need to all count our blessings and hold them very close to our hearts; and we need to thank God Almighty for being in the hearts of such people. And we all need to thank God for the many many blessing we take for granted every single day.

God bless you!

 

[SassySDA]

Last night I was watching 3ABN and there was a program where the heads of many Adventist groups (the various conferences and unions mostly) were giving money to help those affected by the recent hurricanes here in the USA. Many amounts were up there around the $100,000 range along with one that was $250,000. But there was one donation that really struck me along with the president of the North American Conference.

A small man with a heavy accent (though he spoke perfect English) came up with a check that those members in his conference had raised.

Now, at first, we may be tempted to wonder how the leader of a conference that has over 2 million members would come with a check that would be considered pretty small - especially as compared to the other donations. It wasn't until I heard this man talk about where his conference was that made me truly appreciate his donation:

He is the head of one of the conferences in Central Africa. He shared with us that there are over 2 million Adventists that attend church in his area. Despite the vast numbers of members there are very few pastors; in fact it is not unusual for 1 pastor to administer to 8 to 12 churches! They have 6 hospitals (not including the multiple satellite stations that are used to distribute medical supplies) - they feel they are fortunate because the hospitals have electricity....well, they have it for a couple of hours on Sundays. Some of the hospitals have actual roads that lead to them - so they feel blessed that their hospitals aren't primitive. Each pastor makes about 30 dollars..........a month. But they consider themselves so blessed that they felt they needed to help their Adventist brothers and sisters that were affected here in the US by the hurricanes. They reached this unanimous decision recently at a small bible meeting they had...small because there was only 600 members there. The money they raised was equivalent to the combined salaries of 10 pastors for a year!

This, my friends, is what Christ is about! This is how we should treat people. We need to all count our blessings and hold them very close to our hearts; and we need to thank God Almighty for being in the hearts of such people. And we all need to thank God for the many many blessing we take for granted every single day.

God bless you!

Amen, PaleHorse, thank you for sharing such an uplifting story.

This morning, during prayer and praise, one of our members - Esther (who's husband is from Peru) took the mic and went to the front of the church to address everyone. Last year, at about this time, she said she encouraged everyone to give to the mission in Peru. There was one church, very small, attempting to serve thousands. She shared an article with us, I couldn't see the magazine she had it open to the right page, but I think it was the Review, showing what our money had helped to do as far as building a new church, and helping to spread the Gospel all over the world.

It's really been a blessed day.

 

[seangoh]

That is indeed an uplifting story. I recall reading somewhere that no gift is ever too small and that we don't have to be embarassed or wait until it becomes big enough to give. We give what we can give because God can use it by multiplying it just as he did to the 2 fish and 5 loaves. Andrew brought a boy who just had that for the multitude. A meagre portion could feed 5000. I believe God can bless any gift as long as it's given with sincerity.

 

[NekoTenshi]

*smiles* That was wonderful. It reminds me how blessed I am because of the things I take for granted.

~Neko