Giving

On a visit to the local library last week Talitha found Amy Grant's memoir called 'Mosiac'. Talk about a blast from the past! We are the same age and had our first children at about the same age. I grew up listening to Amy Grant and enjoyed reading her musings about her life. We are both at a real interesting stage in life for looking both forward and back.

Her thoughts on giving..............

'The life which gives, multiplies itself; the life which absorbs, destroys itself and others. All nature is build upon the plan of giving. The sun gives its light and heat, the bird its song, the lilac its odour, the orchard yields its fruit for the good of us, the field its grain for the same purpose. If one is not a giver, she is out of harmony with her surroundings. If she makes a Dead Sea of herself, she becomes fatal to anything that seeks life from her.'

My attitude and approach to giving cannot be separated from how I view God and, consequently, my fellow man. Do I believe in God? Do I believe that my needs are met by God? And if He can supply my needs, what about everybody else's?

Trust is doing what you believe you are called to do and trusting that God will provide. But here's where it gets personal: God provides through people. Am I willing to be connected to the people in my world, the people at work, the people in my house, the people I encounter in everyday patterns of living? Am I open to the possibility of my life, my gifts, touching another life? My life touching another, the domino effect of God's goodness rippling through so many other lives, is a powerful, far-reaching concept.

I am challenged by these questions. I can't make a difference everywhere and I can't make a difference for everyone but just like the little boy throwing jellyfish back into the ocean, 'I can make a difference for that one'. My desire is to make a difference for someone somewhere.

Cambodia - Here I come

Earlier this year I felt compelled to investigate mission opportunities in South East Asia: specifically the work of Destiny Rescue. DR are a Christian organisation committed to fighting human trafficking in a number of our poorer Asian neighbours.

It has taken until now to book and pay the deposit on a two week mission experience. I will be in Cambodia and Thailand from 23 October to 7 November visiting rescue homes where young girls (eight years old is not uncommon!) rescued from brothels are housed, fed, educated and loved.

I have applied for leave from work and while this has been granted, I'm not entitled to any pay during the period I'm away.

I have started this blog to allow family and friends to stay up-to-date with the planning, the trip and the impact of the trip as it could just be the beginning of something much bigger :)

If you would like to become part of the adventure I would appreciate your participation through prayer, financial contribution and emails of encouragement as I don't mind admitting that I'm going to need plenty of all three as well as the unlimited grace, mercy and provision of God to see this through.

Travel account details:
S.E.Lawson BSB: 014263 Account No. 525471155

Watch this space for updates and may God bless you as we reach out together to the precious young girls of Cambodia with God's love.