'Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.' - Romans 12 v 9 + 10
Tomorrow evening we are leaving Latvia to fly home to NI. It's been an amazing week - to be back in Latvia, to see old friends, to make new ones, but most of all to be part of the work of God's kingdom here in Jelgava.
The last three days - Wednesday to Friday - we've been visiting homes to deliver bags of food to people who are in need. It's always a great way of spending time with people to just chat and be their company for a short time. I've been on this outreach for three years now, and I've done lots of home visits. I understand that actually people just need someone to talk to, someone that will listen to them and someone to simply spend time with. They need this much more than the food bag more times than not.
'He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.' - 2 Corinthians 1 v 4
Yesterday my group had an amazing time at the home of a deaf man called Valdis. His 80 year old mother lived beside him and joined us in his house also. Usually on home visits we'd spend around 30 minutes in a home, maybe up until an hour if it's an especially great time. We were Valdis and his mother for 2 hours yesterday!
They told us all about their lives, their families, and of course the struggles of being a deaf person. His wife had left him 20 years ago and he now lived alone. Valdis is such a generous and kind man - he kept making us food and tea, whilst all the time showing us all his pictures of his family.
Valdis couldn't hear, and as a result couldn't speak either. At first I thought it would be really awkward and we'd leave after 10 minutes. I was very wrong. Even after 2 hours I didn't want to leave, I could have stayed there all day - it's not an exaggeration.
I see the importance of spending time with people like Valdis, who don't get many visitors, simply because they're pushed to the margins of society. The way of the world is broken. God was clearly showing me His heart for these people and how much He loves them.
I wanted to share this to hopefully either challenge you or encourage you. Maybe both. Remember God is not just your father. He is father for the homeless, for the disabled, for untouchables. Don't ever forget to show His love to these people too.
'We love each other because he loved us first.' - 1 John 4 v 19
No comments:
Post a Comment