~post by Brin
I hosted a ladies group a few days ago modeled after what I would guess an 80’s MOPS group looked like; a little Word, a little food, a little conversation, and always a craft. Asas de Socorro has a partnership with a Brazilian environmental organization that focuses on preserving and respecting the environment as an expression of honor to its Creator. And this is not just a mere partnership in writing, evidenced by the new rule that everyone on our team (sometimes over 50 people) is asked to bring their own cup to meetings as plastic ones will not be provided.
So, in keeping with our enthusiasm for green, the craft we made at my meeting turned old Coca-Cola 2 liters into lovely gift boxes. I know, mock away. But now I have a great idea for gifts to give away on furlough. Who wants to host us?!
We don’t drink pop in my home, so some of the 2 liter bottles came from me scavenging my neighbor’s trash. And had I left them there, they would still be trash. But now they are loved; redeemed, esteemed and will contribute to the beauty in our lives. Depending on your taste, that is.
Here, look at the one Gabriella made:
Following Jesus is a life-long voyage. And at the moment, I am thinking, not altogether different than the life of a 2- liter that I pulled out of the trash. Being a Christ-follower does not mean we won’t find ourselves up to our necks in the refuse of life. Divorce, debt, illness, drug addiction, interpersonal strife, a cranky spouse, neighbors that play their annoying music way to loud on the weekends. We all have a list, don’t we? God has this novel idea of taking our most embarrassing, disgusting, tragic and ugly situations and making them useful. Useful in the goal of becoming more Christ-like, in loving people the way Jesus loves, in refining our faith. Taking a hopeless situation and letting God recycle it to have another purpose is just part of the journey. And we do this all alongside each other, sometimes gracefully other times clumsily. Right now we are journeying with Cleide, almost 19, and Allison, 22 who are back in Altamira and frequent characters in this blog. After dating off and on, they now find themselves ushered into a more serious relationship with a baby on the way.
Why it turned out this way, I am still puzzled, as Allison had already moved in with our family here in Manaus when Cleide called to say she was pregnant. I am puzzled because Allison arriving in Manuas, getting both a job and internship, was no small undertaking, with some of the details appearing almost miraculous. But how this could end does not puzzle me. God, in His infinite wisdom and incredible grace can use Allison and Cleide’s disobedience to bring them closer to Him, reveal portions of their heart that need change and teach them how to love tenderly and sacrificially. Nothing does that better than a baby. So, from a distance I implore her to love God, search for His voice, look for His purpose and then watch Him recycle their difficulty and turn it into treasure.
