September 5, 2005
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i run up to a fence at a shelter where i see an older mother and daughter sitting under an umbrella trying to avoid the unbearable heat. i see they have very little with them. a few things that they have managed to save before the hurricane hit.
i begin to talk to the mother behind the fence. as she stands, i hand her a new Bible. with tears in her eyes, she smiles, and kisses it.
“oh, this is all i have. this is all i have to get me through this. thank you…bless you.” she says as she holds her new cherised possession.
the daughter sits holding a dog as i ask her if she would like one too. “honey, i already have mine.”
i hand them a couple of devotionals and say goodbye…the mother, her eyes still gleaming. never in my life have i seen someone rejoicing over God’s Word…. it was beautiful…
You are my all, all the time…without rest
unto You be glory
unto You be honor
unto You be praises Jesus
forever..
~shane barnard
… this was just one instance that happened these past few days. this weekend i was in lousisana, alabama, and mississipi helping out some with the hurricane. i have never seen such destruction. you do not realize the amount of damage that was done and the needs of people until you are actually there in the midst of it all. it will take years for everything to be as it was. it was really amazing… it showed how great and powerful the Lord truly is. how sovereign and mericful He is. it showed me how much we take for granted every second of every day….who are we to complain? who am i to show discontentment?
some guys from work, dad, and i will be going back down next weekend taking more supplies donated by the church and family. we are going to try and go into neighborhoods that haven’t been reached yet. the people do not only need materials but also encouragement and love. bringing light into people’s days who have lost everything. talking to a single mom that will have no home to go to…no way to support her family. talking to the little kid on the street carrying a bag with his only possesions. whenever and wherever we are may we show others that there is hope in the One who gave all for them. even if it is the simplest act…Lord, be glorified.
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“oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! …His paths beyong tracing out! for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. to Him be the glory forever..” romans 11-33:36 (revised)
Comments (12)
wow arielle. thank you for your sisterly love towards me. i think you read that post and saw through it all and knew exactly what i needed to hear. and thank you for what you’re doing for those poor people in louisiana, mississippi and alabama…you are such a light, and i’m sure you have blessed and will continue to bless many people. keep chasing after Him my precious sister…you are in my prayers…. -jenny
Hi Arielle! Thanks for sharing this^. I see the Lord’s Hand upon this disaster as opportunity, opportunity for the people to look and see Him, the One who loves them and designed them for Himself. Funny, when I read this sentence of yours:
but He intends to use all of this for purposes in lives, we cannot begin to imagine. Whether the fruit of it all is seen now, or many years later. Seeds have been planted, seeds have been watered. Some fruit will be seen now, but in His incredible timing and great patience, He WILL give the increase, for His Glory. Praise You, Lord!! Blessings and much love to you!
“it will take years for everything to be as it was” my immediate thought was, may it NOT be as it was, for much debauchery and sinful things were wiped out, may they NOT be rebuilt in the same way. May New Orleans be less of what it was and may all the gambling casinos in Mississippi NOT be rebuilt, may more people come to know Him THROUGH this disaster that the Lord intends on using for His glory and for salvation. He reminded me of the Scripture recently, “Salvation is found in no one else, there is no other Name under heaven given to men, by which we must be saved.” (I don’t even remember where it is
Wow…what a blessing to read your post. Several people have written to us…and said…you can come home now…we have had our own tsunami…we need you here. That has been hard to process…when one feels called here. But I know…I KNOW…that God has prepared messengers like you…to carry the good news…a word of hope…the Word of hope…to a hopeless and hurting people. We will be praying for you and your family…blessings on you!
“How beautiful, the feet that bring the sound of good news, and
the love of the King.”
Wow. That is really touching. What a blessing for you to get to go down there and minister to people. I’m trying not to be restless here in California where I keep hearing from our church that the only ones qualified to help are those who have been through Red Cross training and are chaplains. I’ve also been hearing that refugees are being flown into shelters right here in San Diego, so I’m going to do some of my own research to see if there’s anyone who is willing to take regular ol’ people to be volunteers. For some reason it bothers me to be told that I’m not qualified to help these people. As far as I know, Jesus calls and uses the weak, the nobodys… those with no worldly qualifications. God, open up the door if it’s your will.
know that prayers are being prayed, tears are being spilt, money is being given … but it aches my heart still that i can’t be out there admist all that … i wanted to drop everything … and not care that i would graduate college late … it gets me so frustrated that i am in the comfort of a christian college community, dorm room, classroom, and yet when i find something boring, i loose intrest in studying it … whereas, people would give anything to be in my position (those who have never been fortunate enough to have schooling, let alone a higher education) … i am proud of you .. i am honored to be your sister, and to be amongst some of the most humble and God-loving people who God uses to move and convict my heart, along with change my life … His peace, strength and wisdom be with you as He uses you to reach out to those who may not be able to or want to see Him in these times of sadness and pain … James 4:8
Hey Arielle! What’s up? heheh i just say your name on someone’s xanga and I was like ‘COOL! we have the same name! and we’re both Christians!’^^
God Bless!
Arielle
Awesome. Keep up the good work.
God is using you in a mighty way!! Keep pressing on doing His work! In His Love, Dianna
thankyou for this story , it is so sad!!! but hard to realise that we are in the palm of the living god!! Who really loves us and cares for us!! So much!!
I’m glad God’s using you to touch lives, Arielle. That’s awesome. The hurricane, while horrible in so many ways… is a way to show love. I’m glad you’re taking the opportunity. My church is doing a drive thing. My Sunday school group went out Wednesday night with the money six of us scrounged up ($39) and bought things to send down there. We need to pray for these people. And you’re right, we shouldn’t complain. We’re so blessed… so amazingly blessed every day and we take so much for granted. May God open our eyes to the blessings He gives.
Your a blessing to the body of CHrist!! Thank you so much for sharing with us. It’s uplifting knowing another Sister and others reaching out to those in need. You were Christ open heart and reaching hands!!! Such as this love is needed!
Have a bless weekend!