He Sees, He Cares

How often does it seem like He doesn't? If we go by the look of things, by our circumstances and feelings, we don't see the Presence of a loving God. It doesn't appear that the needs are being met or the situation is changing. Our minds ask for evidence. But God asks for our confidence. Our faith.

It is when we hold on to God and rejoice that He is seeing, He is caring, that we will see the way opened step by step. Faith isn't something that comes from evidence. It comes from a relationship - from knowing God. And, as we live to know Him, God's love and mercy can be seen in every detail...

There is glory in piles of sand

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And stacks of bricks

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And in working together that more may come and experience the mercy and grace of God.

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Lawrence writes: The walls of the building are now going up at long last. Praise the Lord. God is so good. We have been praying for a residential building for a long time. But now, the Lord is making the dream come true. Glory to His name!!

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As excited children, do we jump through the maze of God's promises and rejoice in their fulfillment - by faith?

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The future of this work is in God's hands. They are good hands. Two and a half years ago this work was still a dream in the heart of His people. Surely God sees and He cares about this little congregation of believers in a barren land. Praise Him!

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And, for those that have been caring about their desperate need of rain, brother Lawrence wrote today:
Thank you very much for prayers, Dear Ones. We have had two nights of heavy rains--yesterday night and the day before. It is a wonderful blessing from the Lord. We need prayers that the rains continue long enough for a good crop this season.

Laboring On

The famine conditions have continued to press in on the congregation at Makindu, but the labors in the Lord's work continue. Besides the spiritual labors, efforts have been made to provide meals and begin construction of a second building.

Lawrence writes: We have not yet built the kitchen to prepare meals for the destitute children and the congregation in times of severe famine. We do it outside, by the back of the building.

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Since the Center has been built and used for studies and teaching, the need for a boarding or residential house has become apparent. Here is the 60 x 100 foot plot that was purchased recently for this building:

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Here are the trenches laid out for the foundation:

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With stone bases for the walls:

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Praise the Lord for all His goodness. The bricks are ready and are being sorted and arranged in readiness for building.

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Let us keep these dear ones in prayer, as they labor on "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." If you also face great needs and few resources today, don't lose hope! Ask God to transform your perspective and strengthen you with His joy for the work - and your labor will not be in vain.    

Possessing the Promise

A promise is one thing. The Bible is full of promises to those that trust in the Lord. But possession is another matter altogether. It like the difference between holding a thousand dollar check, and actually buying something with it. The money is valuable, right? Only when it is used. 
 

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Consider John for a moment. He lives in this rented room with his mom and five siblings. He's only twelve, but he daily experiences the struggle for survival. Why is he so happy? Because he knows the power of God's promises.

Updating from our last post, here is John's testimony, shared by brother Lawrence:

John's father left the family many years ago. He took another woman, whom he lives with and has another family, though he serves as an elder in a religious sect here in Makindu. John’s mother, sister Dorcas Mueni, works to feed her children as a laborer in the farms around Makindu, or in the homes as a dishwasher/clothes cleaner, whenever work is available. They rent a single room near our Center.

Dorcas had found consistent employment on a farm nearby and had developed a habit of getting to work at 8 AM daily. But the famine brought other job seekers around and they reported to the farms earlier. One morning, as usual, she reported to work at 8:00 but found that her place had been taken by others. So she returned home feeling depressed, not knowing what to feed her children with that day. 

There was no school and the children had developed a habit of praying every morning for their mother. This particular morning, when she returned home after a few hours and told them that her position at work was taken by another person, she said that they would have nothing to eat for the day. That is when John responded and reminded her of Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them,” a scripture he had learned and memorized. Then he told her that they had prayed, and asked her to go out again, believing that she would get a job. 

It was late in the day, but she went out in a different direction and found work at the first place she asked, as John had said. She was told to report to the job regularly, and up to this day, she works in that place and feeds her children. 

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Consider the promises given us in God's Word: Peace which the world cannot give. Rest for your soul. Grace for every good work. Joy as your strength. Do you realize how valuable each one is - backed by the eternal treasures of heaven? If you haven't put them to use, ask the Lord to show you how to possess them and make them your own. He didn't give them to look at or long over wishfully. Real needs demand real answers. Our heavenly Father knows that. Don't you believe that He wants you to prosper in your soul and delight in His goodness today?