Generosity

We arrived at Papo and Linda's house in the late afternoon, and approached the doorway, calling out, "Buenas!", since doors are rarely closed in the Panama heat.

The small structure seemed to sag as if tired of staying together.  The mismatched boards left gaps, and as we ducked into the house, the only light was a small bulb  hanging from an extension cord in the middle of the living room/kitchen.  A small bench provided the only seating, and was immediately offered to us as the guests.  We sat down, and leaned back a little against the inside wall, only to find that it wasn't so sturdy, we quickly sat up straight again.  We began to chat with our hosts, while some coffee was put on.

We had been asked there to pray for Linda, who has been experiencing health problems that the doctors hadn't been able to solve for her.  We listened to their story, then spent quite awhile praying for her.

Our next visit was to deliver a small donation of groceries that our YWAM team had put together.  For the Wounaan who are artisans, this is the hardest season, when tourism is low and the market for their art is low.  Many, many of the families we know are struggling just to buy the next meal for their families.  We knew that for Papo and Linda it had been especially hard with her medical costs.  They were blessed by the food, and we heard the good news that Linda's head aches had been gone since we had prayed for her.  

We explained to them that we were putting together groceries for one family at a time, and praying about who we should give it to. Papo's face lit up, and at once he said, "Let me know next time you do, I would love to participate in that, we would like to give as well!"

Everyday God challenges my way of thinking. Here we were giving to this needy family.  But food was not their only need. They also needed vision, needed to feel like they were part of something bigger, like they had something to offer to the world. With my first-world mind-set I wanted to come, and give them compassion and some dinner for their precious kids.  But God wanted to give them a reason to be generous, a call to be part of his work.  He wanted to wake them up on the inside.

For the missionary, sometimes challenging those in need to be generous can be the hardest thing. Our practical mind says, "But they don't have anything! How can I ask them to give?"  But God wants to open up their heart to generosity, because those who are generous will never lack.

How often have I made the mistake of thinking that someone had nothing to give, that I was here to give, and they were here to receive.  

Perhaps I am here to give, to give dignity, value and respect to the people who I am blessed to work with. And they in return give me their stories, their friendship, they challenge me with their faith, with their love, with their generosity.  And we both end up much richer than we had been before.