I just got back from visiting my good friend, Noemi, in Block 8. I must have lost 3lbs going up and down those mountains to get to her house, but maybe I put it back on in the generous lunch that she served me. I got to her house, and found her nephews (with her daughter, on the right) sitting at a make-shift table outside her tiny house.
Noemi is generous and compassionate. Talking to my brother last night about the pair of spiritual gifts of mercy and evangelism, I was struck by the thought that these must be Noemi's spiritual gifts! She seeks out creative ways to talk to her neighbors about the Gospel. She's always ready to do a Bible study with someone and, while she doesn't feel confident on her own (being a relatively new believer), she's a willing instigator and helper. Besides her concern for her neighbors' spiritual needs, she's very aware of their physical needs as well. She considers herself very blessed in her tiny, 1 room "half-house" with the outhouse bathroom, and wants to use her resources to bless her neighbors. When a 17 year-old mom of 2 kids knocked on her door and asked for her left-over chicken bones to feed her hungry kids, Noemi split her recently bought groceries with the young mom. Today we brought the family more groceries and talked with them about Jesus.
Again, I was struck by the thankfulness that people have for God and His provisions. Even in this house full of kids, where putting meals on the table is a difficult task, the mom/grandmother praised God for His faithfulness. Noemi considers herself truly blessed, where as any North American would question her means of survival. Now, it looks like her husband will be laid off next week, so please pray for this family and for God to continue blessing them physically, emotionally (thankfulness!) and spiritually.
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