Thankful for Support

Support comes in many ways and is very cherished in each of those ways that it is both given and received. Support is a word that many people run from, tune out or sometimes it even makes their skin crawl. Why is that?

Do you know what it is like to loose a family member? To feel the support of friends and family through emails, phone messages/conversations and just being there. Support during this time can also come in the preparation and giving of a meal for the family, caring for a pet or helping with other details. Support just means that you care, that you are a part of this event in time, that you CARE for those that are going through something tougher than what you are going through right now.

God just gave me the opportunity to be a little bit of comfort/Support to a friend here in Madagascar that lost her baby at a bit under 3 months. She did not know that she was even pregnant but it doesn't make this time in life any less hard on her and her family. When you go into a hospital here you, your family or SUPPORT team have to provide the bedding and the meals. That means each day when the sheets need to be changed then the family provides fresh clean sheets and takes the soiled sheets home to be washed. As I was there caring for my friend, I realized that GOD was using me to be a support to this family and directly to this friend. The family had someone to stay with her for the 3 days that she was there but each person did their part, helped, became community and showed support in whatever way they could.

Do you know what it is like to loose a house and need a place to live, or to loose a job and need money or food? Do you have a community around you like the families here that will come together, NO QUESTIONS asked, no grudges held. They just provide/support, just meet the need... What is it that keeps most of us from being this sort of unconditional support for others? Is it that we are over committed with our own bills and each paycheck is spent before we ever even receive it? Is it that we don't want to get emotionally involved? Could it be that we don't know exactly how the other person thinks and feels about certain things and would not help us or support us in return?

I guess for me it is hard because I depend on the support of others. This has been particularly hard for me the last 5 years or so because living in this NEED of support creates a great valley filled with expectation both on those around you and on the LORD. I know that HE has taken me on this road, gotten me this far and HE is in charge of where my feet go, daily, who I meet with and talk to and who I get to share Christ with.

In Madagascar their family units live this lifestyle daily. A family no matter how large or small, no matter how spread out is dependant on the rest of the family and when one person looses their job then the whole family pitches in to make sure that there is food on the table, a place to live and clothes on their backs, even gas in their car. I am learning what it means to be this SUPPORT to others, day in and day out. Being here in this position though causes me to understand more fully the support of all of the people all over the world that are part of "team Madagascar". I would not be here without your support, I would not be learning what I am learning and meeting who I meet with daily without your support. I am so thankful, overflowing with thanks daily for your sacrifices, your prayers and your financial backing.

I pray that I can perpetuate the cycle of support and be there for many when they are in need, when they go through grief, have moments of joy and incredible growth. SUPPORT, reminds me of all of you and without you allowing GOD to lead, we would not be touching lives half way around the world.

THANK YOU, FOR YOUR UNCONDITIONAL and very necessary SUPPORT.