A Gulleywasher

We had a huge rain on Thursday – sure don’t know where that came from as the skies we sunny when all of a sudden, the sky seemed to darken and then poured down on us for about 15-20 minutes. We definitely need this as the next day the grass (or rather the dried stems) started to green up a bit. We did get another rain last night, which is truly a blessing. I am sure this is not a result of the next approaching hurricane Irma. Thank you Lord for this refreshing of the earth.

Today is a day of prayer for Texas and all of those affected by the hurricane. Please keep everyone in your prayers and thoughts today – if you choose to donate to the Harvey Hurricane fund, please make sure that 100% of your donations go directly to the victims (such as through your church or a missionary fund). Too many organizations take advantage of these disasters to fil their own pockets – which is not how God wants us to help others.

Despite the heat and dryness, many of the cacti and other hot weather plants are flowering here in S Texas. It is hard to believe that it is already September and the fall growing season has started here. We already have seen fresh winter squash along with other wonderful veggies and fruits. This abundance has been a blessing to the Caring Hearts Ministry as we have a great supply for those in the colonias.  Now that the kiddos are back in school, it seems as if it is a bit easier on the mothers as the kids are able to get really good meals at school. Yes, there are school programs in the summer for meals for kids, but the biggest problem is the fact that the families have no way of transporting their children to the schools. We again delivered produce to the Colonia on Friday. As we drove up to the distribution home, there were the ladies, ready to box and distribute the huge abundance of produce, as well as bread and tortillas. This week we will also be delivering beans, bagged in 3# portions. God has so amazingly provided enough beans and rice to make sure each family receives some at least once a month.

This morning in church we were instructed to keep the main thing the main thing! Just as the new church is being built on the grounds, we as Christians are also still under construction. But we have to remember that we build relationships and not church buildings. Today’s world is broken – broken with poverty, racial inequality, and nature’s unrest, just to name a few.  We see brokenness all around us, especially in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. What, as Christians, is our response to this worldly brokenness? Some folks do something, some do nothing. So, when the going gets tough, what do we do. We love others – this love should be shown without pretending. Show genuine love not just pretending to love because others are doing that. Don’t think that you are better than anyone else – be genuine and love effortlessly. Hate evil and hold on to what is good. Pray about what is evil and do something about it, with sincere love. Being silent supports injustice. I don’t mean go out and join the protesters, but speak up – do not be afraid to stand for justice and goodness. Don’t pay back evil with evil – live at peace with everyone, even those who really seem to get on your nerves. Face hate with love and defend evil with good. Hard to do – of course. Nobody said following God was easy!!!

Remember to continue to pray for Texas as even though the storm and flooding seem to be over, the rebuilding and repairing is just beginning.