Quote from Forum Archives on January 17, 2006, 11:14 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Word for Today, Tue,17 Jan 2006: "Invitation to God's Feast"
Dear friends,

This week, Larry Davies writes part three in his series, an "Invitation to
God's Feast". I invite you to read it and consider your personal response to
the invitation.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

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Sowing Seeds of Faith...

To read parts one and two of "Invitation to God's Feast, click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Invitation1.htm

"Invitation to God's Feast" Part 3 Larry Davies

Amidst the rubble-strewn beach of tsunami-devastated Kalmunai in Sri Lanka, I
picked up a cluster of fishing net and showed it to several men as they
described a desire to go back to work. "We must fish to survive!" one man
emphasized. We later learned that for approximately $3,000 we could buy a new
boat made in Sri Lanka equipped with a motor and nets. Four families with each
new boat could then go back to work. We were beginning to find answers and
hope.

Lamentations is for a community facing tragedy: "The thought of my suffering
and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time as
I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The
unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from
complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each
day. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in
him.'" (3:19-24)

God never guaranteed a life free from suffering and tragedy. Here is what the
Lord promises: "The unfailing love of the Lord never ends." This is the
assurance we must cherish especially in the midst of unspeakable suffering.
"The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him."

'Bitter beyond words' powerfully describes the tsunami that swept through the
village of Kalmunai and brought suffering and homelessness. Yet through the
unwavering faith and optimism of the people we discovered a Godly hope. 'The
unfailing love of the Lord never ends!'

I left Kalmunai, forever saddened by the tragedy and also awestruck realizing
those same waves struck thousands of other communities throughout the Indian
Ocean. Yet, I left Sri Lanka hopeful, discovering a strong sense of familial
love within the people and a hardy determination to survive. God gave our
little group an opportunity for ministry which can make a real difference in
Kalmunai, Sri Lanka. "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each
day."

During the long twenty-six hour flight home the four of us made plans to share
our pictures and stories and work together to raise funds through our church
and throughout the community in order to purchase as many fishing boats as
possible for Kalmunai. We set our goal at twenty fishing boats complete with
motors but at the time we wondered if that was achievable.

Within days, people throughout the area responded. Our church quickly raised
enough money to purchase five boats but groups and families within the church
also adopted the fishing boats as projects. One family in the real estate
business donated the proceeds from the sale of a house toward a boat. A local
bank board pooled their resources after their annual meeting and donated enough
to purchase a boat. Other churches held fund raisers. Sunday school classes,
youth groups and women's groups throughout the area worked to bring our total
to eleven boats.

By the end of the campaign our community combined with other churches purchased
thirty-three boats. In addition, other materials and financial donations were
funneled directly to the contacts we made in Sri Lanka, preventing unnecessary
confusion and expenses. More importantly a sense of hope was restored to one
town in Sri Lanka as one community aided another.

However, as the first fishing boats arrived no one ventured out to sea to
actually fish. We discovered the fishermen were afraid... afraid of the
possible return of the tsunami but even more tragically, afraid of catching
fish in the same water as loved ones from the village who were washed out to
sea. The possibility of eating fish that ate their relatives was too much to
bear.

Finally to satisfy our need for photographs a brave group took one of the new
boats out and immediately caught a record number of fish. This was interpreted
as a positive omen from God so families from all over Kalmunai once again
returned to their livelihood. Over the past year other agencies and churches
have contributed fishing boats and equipment so that Kalmunai is once again a
thriving community. Plus, in the midst of helping others our church began to
really thrive.

Next week: Larry shares more lessons learned plus shares his own unique look
into the future.

To read parts one and two of "Invitation to God's Feast", click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Invitation1.htm

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our prayer team
today. Check it out by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds Ministry
partner. Click here: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain,
glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket!
Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following Godu2019s Recipe for a Better
Lifeu201d now on sale only through our website.
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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