Grace upon Grace

I want to give thanks and praise to the Lord for leading us to hold our annual fundraising event even during the pandemic. We were forced to cancel our 17th annual concert “Love Story on Wheels” scheduled on July 19th, but we are so thankful that we are able to hold the Fundraiser online even at a later date! This is due to the fact that there were many urgent requests for help from various mission fields due to Covid-19. As you know, since its foundation 21 years ago, our Ministries has been ministering with the motto “Search” for and “Serve” the disabled people from all over the world. So I agonized over it for a while. Then what Jesus said came to my mind.
“But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” (Luke 14:13)
And I clapped my hands because I remembered what prophet Isaiah had said.
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” (Isa 61:1)
The kingdom of God is unstoppable! Even though it seems like the pandemic has caused the world to stop, God is still working to make His-tory of salvation. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude by the fact that our Ministries, though rather small, is being used by God for this purpose. In May and June we started the “Meals on Wheels” Project for 4 to 5 mission fields. In July we supported 10 missionaries in 10 countries and in August we supported 13 missionaries in 12 countries. Actually, we are delivering the Bread of Life, the gospel. Praise the Lord!
While I was preparing for the September newsletter I reflected on the past, how I met my wife in August 45 years ago in His providence and for over 43 years lived as one body, how in August 31 years ago a tragic car accident sent our two children to heaven before us, how I took care of my wife, who had become severely disabled, 365 days without a day of rest since then, and how thankful I am that I had been called to serve in a special ministry through my wife’s disability!!! Now through Coronavirus we have been serving the people who are able-bodied but living in poverty as well as the disabled, what a blessing and privilege God has given to me and my wife and our Ministries!
When John the Baptist was in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus whether He was the expected one or if they should wait for another. He wanted confirmation and it sounds like he had a bit of doubt. At this Jesus told them to tell John the Baptist “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.” (Mat. 11:5 NASB)
As time passed, the world became a harder place to share the gospel. Try sharing the gospel with people who are well educated, healthy, and wealthy living with access to latest scientific advancements, latest technology, it will not be easy. However, even now there are so many people in the world, in so many countries there are many people without proper clothing, and starving. There is nothing more urgent than meeting the needs of the hungry. What can cause more heartache for parents than to watch their children starve? How effective and opportune it is to share the gospel with the poor!
It will be a great blessing to us all to share the food for the body and to share the food for our souls, Jesus Christ with it! Even in these financially difficult times, let us share what we have and enjoy life more abundant with grace upon grace in our spirit. Shalom!
“He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered”(Pro. 21:13).