I read this morning about the cloud covering the tabernacle when all of the work on it was completed. When that happened, the glory of God filled the tabernacle and even Moses could not enter it. Exodus 40:34 - 35
And I wondered - how would I react and respond if the glory of God were to descend where I am? What would happen to the worship gathering, to the building, to the city, to the country if the glory of God were to truly be seen and felt? And I prayed. "Lord please let your glory shine more brightly when we gather; more brightly in a country where Christ is so little known; in other countries where there is little opportunity to learn of the goodness and glory of God."
We visited with a couple last night who've been in this country for more than a decade. We asked about their NGO work. Both men who lead this small NGO are medical doctors. When they left Europe they brought with them medical supplies and equipment.
When they first travelled to a couple of villages, before offering to help, they wisely asked: "How can we help you? What is the best thing we can do for you?" They received a strong response: "cows". And they asked, "cows"? Fortunately, these doctors, with no farm background had received a brochure from another organization outlining how to help alleviate poverty through a "cow bank."Apparently it provided all of the detailed information these novices needed to begin. They decided that if that was what the villages wanted, cows, not medical help, that is what they would provide.
So they began - not with medicine but with cows. They started with just five families, giving a cow to each family. The family contract requires that the first calf born is given back to the "bank". From there on, all profits from the cow belong to the family. They have seen wonderful results - families living in mud huts now have been able to build solid, good houses for themselves due to the cow bank.
Two years ago they began to do the same thing with pigs. Due to their large litters, pigs produce results and income much faster than cows. So that pig enterprise is expanding rapidly and dozens of families are eating better, staying warmer, etc.
Why are they in the cow and pig business? To alleviate poverty and by doing so, as Christians, they bring glory to God. Ephesian 1:12; I Corinthians 10:31
And I wondered - how would I react and respond if the glory of God were to descend where I am? What would happen to the worship gathering, to the building, to the city, to the country if the glory of God were to truly be seen and felt? And I prayed. "Lord please let your glory shine more brightly when we gather; more brightly in a country where Christ is so little known; in other countries where there is little opportunity to learn of the goodness and glory of God."
We visited with a couple last night who've been in this country for more than a decade. We asked about their NGO work. Both men who lead this small NGO are medical doctors. When they left Europe they brought with them medical supplies and equipment.
When they first travelled to a couple of villages, before offering to help, they wisely asked: "How can we help you? What is the best thing we can do for you?" They received a strong response: "cows". And they asked, "cows"? Fortunately, these doctors, with no farm background had received a brochure from another organization outlining how to help alleviate poverty through a "cow bank."Apparently it provided all of the detailed information these novices needed to begin. They decided that if that was what the villages wanted, cows, not medical help, that is what they would provide.
So they began - not with medicine but with cows. They started with just five families, giving a cow to each family. The family contract requires that the first calf born is given back to the "bank". From there on, all profits from the cow belong to the family. They have seen wonderful results - families living in mud huts now have been able to build solid, good houses for themselves due to the cow bank.
Two years ago they began to do the same thing with pigs. Due to their large litters, pigs produce results and income much faster than cows. So that pig enterprise is expanding rapidly and dozens of families are eating better, staying warmer, etc.
Why are they in the cow and pig business? To alleviate poverty and by doing so, as Christians, they bring glory to God. Ephesian 1:12; I Corinthians 10:31
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