Monday, 23 April 2012
You Cannot Reach Paradise Without a Cross
All the children of God have a cross to carry. They have trials, troubles, and afflictions to go through for the Gospel's sake. They have trials from the world, trials from the flesh, and trials from the devil. They have trials of feeling from relations and friends - hard words, hard conduct, and hard judgment. They have trials in the matter of character - slander, misrepresentation, mockery, suggestion of false motives - all these often rain thick upon them. They have trials in the matter of worldly interest. They often have to choose whether they will please people, and lose glory; or gain glory and offend people. They have trials from their own hearts. They have each generally their own thorn in the flesh, which is their worst foe. This is the experience of the children of God. Some of them suffer more, and some less. Some of them suffer in one way, and some in another. God measures out their portions like a wise physician, and cannot err. But never, I believe, was there one child of God who reached paradise without a cross.
J.C. Ryle
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
God hears the needy when they cry.
The last week has been a remarkable week to say the least. In my last posting I shared with you how our daughters Stephanie and Sophia will undertake a trip to help those in great need at an orphanage in Dominican Republic. God indeed heard the cry of the needy and opened the hearts of people to give in a most abundant way. A Bible verse came to mind today from Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. The girls had hoped to take goods and $1000.
The girls are at the point that they are over the allowable amount of free luggage by air and by the time they leave on April 20 the monetary donations will have far exceeded expectations. It is for that reason we must never think too small of God. He is an amazing God, He indeed hears the needy when they cry. Thank you for opening your hearts and please pray that the huge amount of luggage will travel at no charge with Delta Airlines.
Another miracle is the story that unfolded this week of Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk from Southern Alberta who got lost in the vast back country of British Columbia. Many prayers were made to God for their safe return, including a prayer service, and later a thanksgiving service. God heard the needy when they cried, the cries of their children, loved ones and friends and total strangers. You can read here and watch how the story unfolded. Amazing Grace indeed.
As for myself, God is blessing me too in a remarkable way. I have not had Chemo Therapy treatments since the end of January and feel amazingly well. I will have a CT scan on May 25 and a follow up visit with my Oncologist on May 30 for the results and consultation. Again I am looking forward to hear what the CT scan results will show and we continue to pray for amazing results from an amazing God who gives more grace and blessing each day.
Psalm 72: 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.
Time and again we can see God’s blessings all around us. I hope you see them too. Please take time to reflect on all your blessings and don’t forget to count the little ones, they are as important as the big blessings.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us. God is good, all the time.
John
The girls are at the point that they are over the allowable amount of free luggage by air and by the time they leave on April 20 the monetary donations will have far exceeded expectations. It is for that reason we must never think too small of God. He is an amazing God, He indeed hears the needy when they cry. Thank you for opening your hearts and please pray that the huge amount of luggage will travel at no charge with Delta Airlines.
Another miracle is the story that unfolded this week of Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk from Southern Alberta who got lost in the vast back country of British Columbia. Many prayers were made to God for their safe return, including a prayer service, and later a thanksgiving service. God heard the needy when they cried, the cries of their children, loved ones and friends and total strangers. You can read here and watch how the story unfolded. Amazing Grace indeed.
As for myself, God is blessing me too in a remarkable way. I have not had Chemo Therapy treatments since the end of January and feel amazingly well. I will have a CT scan on May 25 and a follow up visit with my Oncologist on May 30 for the results and consultation. Again I am looking forward to hear what the CT scan results will show and we continue to pray for amazing results from an amazing God who gives more grace and blessing each day.
Psalm 72: 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.
Time and again we can see God’s blessings all around us. I hope you see them too. Please take time to reflect on all your blessings and don’t forget to count the little ones, they are as important as the big blessings.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us. God is good, all the time.
John
Friday, 6 April 2012
In Christ there is no East or West
This blog entry is not about me this time but in support of some very special people in very special circumstances with a very great need. I want to share the story with you.
Mark 14: 7 (Jesus spoke these words) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.
In November of last year, our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad were privileged to visit and work at a mission called “New Hope Girls Academy” in the Dominican Republic in the small town of La Vega. They were moved by the work that God is doing at this small mission station, but they were also deeply moved by the poverty that the founders, Joy and Vidal are operating in.
Joy and Vidal are living from day to day solely depending on donations for survival. The prayer “Lord give us this day our daily bread” is so real in their lives as they rely on God’s help each day to provide for their needs. Financial and prayer support is desperately needed at this mission station where they care for girls who are in great need of care, food and education.
Joy and Vidal have built a small school to educate these children. The school teacher, who is a Christian, is a registered teacher who has committed to volunteer at the school, she also holds a regular job teaching at the public school. Children without birth certificates are unable to attend Public school. For children without education it is nearly impossible to find employment later in life.
Several years ago, Joy and Vidal left their home in Oregon to answer Gods call to the Dominican Republic. They felt the need to help the less fortunate, rescue the oppressed and most importantly bring the Gospel. They have a family of four lovely children. Joy and Vidal are teaching the local women how to make purses and flip flops with embellishments which they can sell in order to provide for their families.
Being deeply moved by their experience, Stephanie has decided to return on April 20 with Sophia her sister to equip the mission with “fishing rods”. They will be loaded down with extra luggage and transport a near new Serger sewing machine to teach the local women to sew items that can be sold to support their families.
Some people in Canada have designated money towards a feeding program for the 13 children that attend the school and many other much needed supplies. The mission’s goal is to make these families self sufficient and bring the Gospel to a people who are in great need of help and of Christ. Please consider prayerfully to support this mission that is in desperate need of your help. You can visit the website for New Hope Girls Academy here; you can also donate directly online on this website. A short video produced by Joy on New Hope Girls Academy can be viewed here. Feel free to drop Stephanie an email at c.s.hampson@gmail.com or Sophia at vdts@comcast.net they would gladly accept checks or cash to deliver directly to New Hope Girls mission.
As parents we want to give our dear daughters a word of encouragement.
Dear Sophia and Stephanie, as parents we feel blessed that God has laid this on your heart and to have compassion on the poor and needy. Be assured that as always, that we will pray for you, and that you may be a blessing to the people there who are anxiously awaiting your arrival. "Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD." (Judges 18:6)
God be with you till we meet again.
Deeply loved
Mom and Dad
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.
Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.
Mark 14: 7 (Jesus spoke these words) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.
In November of last year, our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad were privileged to visit and work at a mission called “New Hope Girls Academy” in the Dominican Republic in the small town of La Vega. They were moved by the work that God is doing at this small mission station, but they were also deeply moved by the poverty that the founders, Joy and Vidal are operating in.
Joy and Vidal are living from day to day solely depending on donations for survival. The prayer “Lord give us this day our daily bread” is so real in their lives as they rely on God’s help each day to provide for their needs. Financial and prayer support is desperately needed at this mission station where they care for girls who are in great need of care, food and education.
Joy and Vidal have built a small school to educate these children. The school teacher, who is a Christian, is a registered teacher who has committed to volunteer at the school, she also holds a regular job teaching at the public school. Children without birth certificates are unable to attend Public school. For children without education it is nearly impossible to find employment later in life.
Several years ago, Joy and Vidal left their home in Oregon to answer Gods call to the Dominican Republic. They felt the need to help the less fortunate, rescue the oppressed and most importantly bring the Gospel. They have a family of four lovely children. Joy and Vidal are teaching the local women how to make purses and flip flops with embellishments which they can sell in order to provide for their families.
Being deeply moved by their experience, Stephanie has decided to return on April 20 with Sophia her sister to equip the mission with “fishing rods”. They will be loaded down with extra luggage and transport a near new Serger sewing machine to teach the local women to sew items that can be sold to support their families.
Some people in Canada have designated money towards a feeding program for the 13 children that attend the school and many other much needed supplies. The mission’s goal is to make these families self sufficient and bring the Gospel to a people who are in great need of help and of Christ. Please consider prayerfully to support this mission that is in desperate need of your help. You can visit the website for New Hope Girls Academy here; you can also donate directly online on this website. A short video produced by Joy on New Hope Girls Academy can be viewed here. Feel free to drop Stephanie an email at c.s.hampson@gmail.com or Sophia at vdts@comcast.net they would gladly accept checks or cash to deliver directly to New Hope Girls mission.
As parents we want to give our dear daughters a word of encouragement.
Dear Sophia and Stephanie, as parents we feel blessed that God has laid this on your heart and to have compassion on the poor and needy. Be assured that as always, that we will pray for you, and that you may be a blessing to the people there who are anxiously awaiting your arrival. "Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD." (Judges 18:6)
God be with you till we meet again.
Deeply loved
Mom and Dad
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.
Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.
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