The Car Blessing...

One of the oft-repeated sayings heard of The Mission Society folks is, "God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others."  The basis of this is found in Genesis 12 where God calls Abraham and says to him, "...and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing" (Gen.12:2, NRSV).  In fact, the whole mission endeavor around the world is God's people living this out, from evangelism on the ground ("God has changed my life...saved me, so I want you to know this life-changing, saving God") to the sending ("God has blessed me; allow me to help you bless others").  From the beginning of our own life in missions, we have seen this played out time and again as churches and individuals have prayed and given that we might go.  We are so incredibly grateful for all who have taken part in this mission.

From time to time, we get to see the blessing multiplied and passed on...and recently we had one of those experiences.  The story begins in February 2006...on our daughter, Jesse's, birthday.  After we dropped her friends back at their houses after a gathering at our house in Cabudare, Venezuela, as Jesse and I were coming home, the brakes suddenly went out on the old Suburban that belonged to the mission.  To make a long story short, I decided to take out a tree rather than the pedestrians or the house nearby.  When we got home that night-- shaken, bruised...but otherwise fine, I sent a letter to our supporters just to let them know about what happened and asking for their prayers.

The very next day, my parents called.  Papa was serving a small church in rural Alabama.  He and Mom had lifted up the prayer request for their "children" in Venezuela during Sunday School.  After church, Mr. Max walked up to them and asked, "What you think it'd cost to get your kids another vehicle there in Venezuela?"  Unsure, Papa responded, "I guess $10,000 - $12,000...."  Mr. Max showed up at their house that afternoon with a check for $12,000.  Mr. Max was a farmer...a simple man in the best sense...and he knew that God had blessed him, and he wanted to bless others.

We were able to get a wonderful vehicle that helped us to minister all over Venezuela:

Our Fiat Palio Adventure...and some little kid I hardly recognize!

Mounting the hill up to Lugar Altisimo....

And, when we left Venezuela in 2008, we were able to sell our Fiat Palio Adventure...and took the money with us to Mexico where it bought us another little red car:

VW Pointer..."El Rojito"

 

Of course, we recently moved across the border...and laws wouldn't permit the import of this vehicle, so what to do?  Should we sell it and use the money here?  As we prepared to leave, we realized the answer was right in front of us.  Juan Manuel and Claudia had left Honduras five years ago to serve as missionaries in Monterrey, to share the Good News of God in a different land.  They, too, had left behind family and friends to do what God had placed in their hearts.   Their old mini-van had been in the shop three times in the last couple of months.  They needed a new car.  ...And, now they have it!

Handing over the keys to our dear friends, Juan Ma and Claudia...

What a joy to bring joy to others!

 God had blessed Mr. Max...who turned around and blessed us...so we could bless someone else...so their ministry could be more effective, so they could bless others....  Isn't that the way it's supposed to work???   May we all continue to bless others out of the blessings that God has given us.  We may or may not see it, but we can remain confident that He multiples whatever we give, using what we offer Him to touch the lives of others, even if we know nothing about it!