I I was blown away yesterday by something I heard that made me instantly cry.   Cry for joy, cry for how unbelievable it was, and cry over my own convictions.  Many of you know that Habitat for Hope maintains 2 apartments in downtown Memphis, TN.    These apartments are given free of charge to families of children receiving medical treatment in Memphis.

One of our families was moving out this past week and I went down to say goodbye, pray with them and help send them on their way.  The dad asked me if I had met the neighbors before.  I had seen them, waved, but have never met them.    The dad told me that a mother and daughter that lived in the apartment next door.  The mom is 94 and the daughter is 72.  The dad said that one day he was locked out of his apartment (the doors automatically lock) and he went over to ask to use their phone.   As they started talking the daughter mentioned how her mother will go over the wall between the two apartments, put her hand on the wall, and pray for the for the family and sick child next door.  And pray for over an hour every night.

We have had these apartments for 5 years and she has done this faithfully every day for years!   Picture in your mind…a frail elderly lady taking the time every night to pray for your sick child and family…without you ever event knowing about it.

James 5:15 15 “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”

Our new Volunteer Coordinator, Diane Smith, wrote the following after her first time doing visitation with HFH Founder, Mark Horrocks.

After visitation on Thursday I was a bit overwhelmed; it is a bit tough to see the reality of parents who are walking down the path of suffering with their child.
Friday morning I was just tired! I’m currently reading through Matthew in the Message. I read from Matt 14 where John the Baptist is beheaded. When Jesus heard the news, he tried to get away by himself but people saw him and came to him. He saw them and had pity on them and healed their sick. It got late, the people were hungry so the disciples told Jesus they should send them home. (I imagine they were tired and hungry too!) Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They said ALL we’ve got are five loaves and two fish. Jesus told them to give them to him. Jesus prayed, blessed, broke and gave the bread to the disciples. The people ate their fill and there were 12 baskets left over.
Here’s an excerpt of my thoughts after reading…

“This story moves me. It hits me so strongly this morning. This morning I am feeling overwhelmed. I imagine you [Jesus] looking at me and saying bring it here. Lord Jesus….I give my pitiful offerings to you, know that you alone can feed the souls that are hungry in my life. Only you can feed my hungry soul. Only you can feed the souls of my family, my neighbors, my co-workers. Forgive me for trying to live in my power. What you are asking me to do, leading me to do is IMPOSSIBLE without you. But with you all things are possible!! As my life passes through your hands…miracles can and will happen. You can provide the money. You can provide the time. You can provide the emotional energy. You can provide the words. It’s not me…It’s you through me. Thank you for living in me. Live through me today.”