Imagine each time you NEED something, you have to ask for HELP. Whether it's a ride to the airport, help picking up your kids or asking for help with...(gasp!) money, the ASKING can be so difficult.
"Asking" is a humbling yet beautiful experience that always reminds me that God uses people to work in the lives of others, and ultimately it's his goodness & love that helps meet every need.
In the last 2+ years, he's met every need, solved every problem, dried many tears, redeemed many relationships, and encouraged us on many days we felt like throwing in the towel. He has also financially provided all we've needed up until this very moment and we are continually amazed by what He can do through others.
But sometimes ALWAYS having to ASK for help becomes exhausting & overwhelming. For us, the many things that run through our minds are things like:
"When will people become tired of helping & give up on this project?"
"Will people think we're irresponsible?"
"Ok, let's not work on XYZ project for now and wait."
"If we don't ask, can we figure it out a different a way?"
"Is this really a NEED?"
"Can we ask family to help instead of supporters?"
"Can we work while running this ministry?!"
"Maybe one of us can go back to the States and work for a while & send the money to Mozambique."
These are literally conversations we've had with each other over and over again. When we were facing many big challenges this time last year, we became tired of asking so we stopped. And then several of our supporters sent emails asking how we were doing.
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| The kids love helping Amina sort beans! |
In all honesty, it's sometimes hard to be HONEST. We didn't want to word vomit all of the things we were going through on all of you because part of it is just the life we've been called to. There are some things we don't feel like we need to share because it's all about our kids and our community, not us.
When we start to focus on our own thoughts & the struggles we've been dealing with in ministry or finances or even in our personal life, it seems completely irrelevant & we don't want to lose focus. However, God taught us through that difficult time last year that if we don't open up and talk about the needs we are facing, we're not allowing others to be a part of the joy & change we see daily in our kids and community.
This project is also so much bigger than our small little organization. The need is far greater than we could ever manage on our own, and partnerships are the only way we can keep working & keep going. We also take your partnership very seriously and we think and think and price every last item we need before we use funds for projects.
Part of doing what we do simply involves asking & depending on the goodness in those that God has placed in our lives. We're called to humble ourselves, live by faith and trust the process that so many have been through before us. We are also constantly looking for ways to help Heart for the Needy become a self-sustaining project.
We've talked about a bakery, a water or ice business, farming, and so many other ideas. We know sustainability is important, and it has become a large focus of what we'd like to do in the coming years. We're praying about making many changes in the way ministry is done on the field, including sustainability & self-sufficiency. But all of this takes time, years to gain the momentum and get these sustainability projects off the ground. All of this can be a reality, but we need partnerships to help us get there.
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| Ali LOVES to write and learn. |
Starting from the ground up is never simple or quick. To do something well it must take time, along with trial and error. I'm always reminded of the proverb that says: "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
We can't do this alone, and that's why we continue to ASK when we have needs. And, if you've ever lived in a 3rd world country, you understand that there's no way to plan for the palms that want to be greased, all of the sudden last minute added "fees" and the way we've been referred to as "leite" (milk) - like some kind of cow - by transit police.
But no amount of corruption or dishonesty can keep us from what we were called here to do: to see a change in the families and communities where we work. Our desire is for kids to stay in their families, and for families to feel empowered and able to care for their children. Preventing more children from a destiny of institutionalization or exploitation is our main focus, while loving our communities the way God loves us.
Our kids and our community is the best. There are so many changes in our kids since they've been here, and our community is teaching us more and more about the solutions & challenges of prevention. Families are where children belong, and if there's anything we can do to keep kids in their own family, we'll work together to make it happen.
Thanks for letting us be vulnerable, and thank you for walking alongside us during this crazy and amazing journey.
