Friday 4 February 2011

Diamonds in the Dust

January was an up and down month.
Many battles won and lost , lots of experience gained and knowledge gathered from dealing with unforeseen situations.

These are photos of a troupe of grass cutting ladies who came to our church yard. They belong to a nomadic tribe which travels
as migrant workers seeking employment on building sites.They are very poor and often sleep on city side walks out in the open. They gather grass and sell it to cattle owners for a paltry amount.
During the freezing weather we allowed many poor people take grass and fire wood from our church yard.

By God 's grace we are doing good. Mama and I have a little cough and cold. We are taking hot vapor inhalation with eucalyptus oil, works well. Today was a very peaceful and 'kind ' day. My younger sister 's wedding anniversary too.
The following is a devotional from Joni Eareckson Tada

The Poor Shall Be Rich

"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"
-James 2:5

George is an evangelist in Malawi who uses an old badly battered wheelchair. Not long ago he wrote to ask me to send him my husband's used shirts - his were wearing out, and he wanted to dress his best as an ambassador for Christ.

George wheels himself from village to village over bumpy, rutted dirt roads that connect the small towns in Malawi. He longs for a power wheelchair during such exhausting journeys but realizes such a luxury is beyond his grasp. Despite sore muscles and calluses on his hands, he keeps going. His deepest desire is to share Christ with others who are handicapped, to tell them that despite their poverty, God is in control for their good and His glory.

George is dirt poor. The people to whom he ministers are even more poor. But there is none so rich in faith as George.

Remember, Christ willed to be born poor, and He chose disciples who were living, for the most part, in poverty. Christ made Himself a servant of poor people. And He reminds us that whatever we do to help the least of the brethren - those most poor - we are personally ministering to Him.

"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do" (Galatians2:10).

Lord, let me see those who are poor through Your eyes. And when I see them, may I not turn my back on their need... for if I do, I would be turning my back on You.



Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Blessings,

18 Fertilize my soul:

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Today world isn't good for nomads... But Moses and Israel were nomads in the desert. God loves all people, whether they live in big city, small village or in the tent on the steppe.

Donetta said...

the agony in her face behind her smile speaks volumes.

be blessed my friend. be blessed

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
I've just finished reading the Norwegian book about India I told you about.
It is heartbreaking that humans shall live so poorly in a rich country like India.
My heart is torn apart over sufferings I had no fantasy to imagine.
The author means that the caste system is the main reason why so many simply cannot get out of their misery.

The good visions and laws of Gandhi and Nehru are still waiting to become reality.

I'm so happy that you are a Christian woman and treat all people with equal respect, and even try to help those unfortunate.
Be blessed now and always.
From Felisol

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Yes, those poor ladies are indeed diamonds in the dust. Great that you let them cut your grass so that they can be sold to cattle growers. The story about George and his wheelchair ministry is very soul inspiring. I hope a rich reader of your blog can read about George and send him through you a powered wheelchair for his convenience in traveling around to share the Gospel to those who really need it. Thanks for the inspiring post. God bless you all always.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hello Amrita,

This is an amazing post.

It is always the poor who are closer to God.It is the poor who have devotion and faith in God.It is the poor who contribute to church collection although very little.The rich may contribute big sums of money but compared to their earnings their contribution is too small.The rich may occupy important positions in Church but it is the poor who make the congregation in large number.

The poor will surely inherit the Kingdom of God because they are the people who are always with God.Most local pilgrimages are undertaken by poor people in massive numbers.They fast,they do the penances and think of God most times each day.

Your quote from James is an eye opener.

My belated wedding anniversary wishes to your sister.May she have all blessings from God.

These real life photos are wonderful.

God bless you and your family,
Joseph

Crown of Beauty said...

My dear Amrita,
Thank you for sharing to moving post. the pictures, and the devotional, they all spoke deeply to my heart.

Be blessed today, dear sister. I love the gentleness of your heart.

Love
Lidj

David Edward said...

yesu's garden is rich, with souls, with rejoicing, with an abundant harvest that is yet to be seen.
Have faith, do good, trust God

John Cowart said...

Hi Amrita,

Seeing your post at a time when I worry about my own poverty really puts my own state into a different prospective. Makes me realize that I'm not so bad off after all. No reason to feel sorry for myself.

Thanks.

John

Amrita said...

Dea r friends your comments are such blessings for me.

Mel, I do trust after reading Joni 's article someone enabled her to send a wheelchair to George in Malawi.

Many of our Indian evangelists live very frugally getting only 70 or 80 $ a month maybe less. But they ar e working faithfully.

On our church veranda we hav e given shelter to a migrant worker from Nepal. He is a cook in a nice hotel. When he went home to Nepal, his land lord rented his room to someone else and his things were also stolen. He is a good man an d uses very little space. In his off duty hours he keeps an eye on the church campus and is willing to help us if we need any thing to be done.

Another poor peasant family -husband /wide and their 2 year od daughter have found shelter here for a few days. They have come to the city to get treatment for the daughter who suffers from a muscular and bone disease.They will leave after their medical apointments.

Amrita said...

Dear John you are very rich in heart and Ginny an d you help people in so many practical ways.

Amrita said...

Dear Felisol, you are right. India is full of all kinds of wealth but because of corruption and mismanagement a lot if lost or does not reach common people.

Mr Joseph, its true the poor people are very large hearted.

So, I Begin this Journey...... said...

Hello friend,
Thank you for this post...... the expressions on the faces of those in your photos are moving.
Large hearts and full of hope.

Amrita said...

Thank you Lis. I will watch the video you have posted

Amrita said...

Dear Donetta you have suffered pain, you can see very deeply.

Mark n Misti said...

Amrita, what a powerful blog you have here! I have started to follow it and will be watching for the latest updates!

God Bless

Mark

Amrita said...

Thank you Mark. I follow your blog an d receive inspiration from it

Dick said...

I've never heard of people harvesting grass this way, they must be very poor indeed, I'm glad you allow them to take grass and firewood.

Amrita said...

Hi Dick, grass cutting machines are available in India, but only for those who can afford them. So this work is done by hand.