| Tim & Vicki Reiner in a Far Place |
| Baptist Mid-Missions do Brasil |
| Summer 2009 |
THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS |
For those of us who are the haves, the present financial crisis may
require us to experience the pain of trimming our budgets. It forces
us to expose our priorities, which could be embarrassing. When
believers, as well as churches, cut back spending, what we deem
important becomes evident. Making church books balance has a
way of revealing what we believe the church is about.
Nearly every day, we are bombarded by reports of the impact that
the present financial crisis is having on almost every part of the
world. For some of us, the effect of less income has already hit
home. For others, spending cutbacks seem to be inevitable. Yet for
others, this financial turmoil will have no effect whatsoever.
Living and ministering over thirty years in a developing country
where poverty is everywhere, we often see the have nots struggle.
The US financial crisis is characterized by a bankrupt government
bailing out bankrupt institutions, charge card living becoming more
difficult, auto industry restructuring, unemployment rising, new
houses being dumped under cost, and a stock market that shows
the unstable emotions of a confused child. In northeast Brazil, this
volatility will have virtually no influence on the poor, the have nots.
Last Sunday night, coming home from preaching a well-prepared
message to the church, about two hundred meters from our house,
I drove slowly by a family on the side of the dirt road with small
children huddled together for protection from the cool of the night.
Their flickering fire was enough light for me to see their devastating
condition. Dirty, snotty noses, partially-clothed children clinging to
confused relatives longing for bread so sleep would come. Like
millions, all they will ever know is crisis after crisis. Ten minutes
later, Jesus’ Good Samaritan story (Luke 10) invaded my heart as I
walked into our house, put my Bible on the table, and opened the
refrigerator to get a snack before slipping into the comfort of my
favorite hammock. It still bothers me that this religious guy with a
well prepared Bible message tip-toed around the hurting… again…
it’s not right.
The impossibility of helping all the millions in crisis is a really bad
excuse to help no one. We who are believers and not part of a
social-gospel mentality must not forget that it’s okay to be kind to
those in need, even when they may be living out the consequences
of some really bad decisions.
As children of our Heavenly Father, His characteristics are reflected
in and through us (Galatians 5:22- 23). Hopefully, the ones you and
I help are drawn to Christ by our expression of the Father’s mercy
and compassion. Perhaps they see that we have indeed inherited
our Father’s Eyes!
When we and our churches restructure our budgets, remember,
we’re here for them… those whose hearts and tummies are empty.
Grace then Peace,
Tim Reiner
require us to experience the pain of trimming our budgets. It forces
us to expose our priorities, which could be embarrassing. When
believers, as well as churches, cut back spending, what we deem
important becomes evident. Making church books balance has a
way of revealing what we believe the church is about.
Nearly every day, we are bombarded by reports of the impact that
the present financial crisis is having on almost every part of the
world. For some of us, the effect of less income has already hit
home. For others, spending cutbacks seem to be inevitable. Yet for
others, this financial turmoil will have no effect whatsoever.
Living and ministering over thirty years in a developing country
where poverty is everywhere, we often see the have nots struggle.
The US financial crisis is characterized by a bankrupt government
bailing out bankrupt institutions, charge card living becoming more
difficult, auto industry restructuring, unemployment rising, new
houses being dumped under cost, and a stock market that shows
the unstable emotions of a confused child. In northeast Brazil, this
volatility will have virtually no influence on the poor, the have nots.
Last Sunday night, coming home from preaching a well-prepared
message to the church, about two hundred meters from our house,
I drove slowly by a family on the side of the dirt road with small
children huddled together for protection from the cool of the night.
Their flickering fire was enough light for me to see their devastating
condition. Dirty, snotty noses, partially-clothed children clinging to
confused relatives longing for bread so sleep would come. Like
millions, all they will ever know is crisis after crisis. Ten minutes
later, Jesus’ Good Samaritan story (Luke 10) invaded my heart as I
walked into our house, put my Bible on the table, and opened the
refrigerator to get a snack before slipping into the comfort of my
favorite hammock. It still bothers me that this religious guy with a
well prepared Bible message tip-toed around the hurting… again…
it’s not right.
The impossibility of helping all the millions in crisis is a really bad
excuse to help no one. We who are believers and not part of a
social-gospel mentality must not forget that it’s okay to be kind to
those in need, even when they may be living out the consequences
of some really bad decisions.
As children of our Heavenly Father, His characteristics are reflected
in and through us (Galatians 5:22- 23). Hopefully, the ones you and
I help are drawn to Christ by our expression of the Father’s mercy
and compassion. Perhaps they see that we have indeed inherited
our Father’s Eyes!
When we and our churches restructure our budgets, remember,
we’re here for them… those whose hearts and tummies are empty.
Grace then Peace,
Tim Reiner
| The impossibility of helping all the millions in crisis is a really bad excuse for helping no one. |
| "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 |
To Contact Us:
Surface Mail: Tim & Vicki Reiner
C.P.111
56.302-970 Petrolina, PE
Brazil
Email: timandvicki@inafarplace.com
Website: www.inafarplace.com
Surface Mail: Tim & Vicki Reiner
C.P.111
56.302-970 Petrolina, PE
Brazil
Email: timandvicki@inafarplace.com
Website: www.inafarplace.com
| (440)826-3930 Baptist Mid-Missions of Canada 187 McLaughlin Drive ٠ Moncton, NB ٠ E1A4P4 (506)386-6601 |
| Getting Acquainted with our church |
Marlene Raquel dos Santos Silva
Her favorite Bible Verse is Psalm 89:13:
“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy
hand, and high is thy right hand.”
But I did not want to leave the things of the
world to accept Jesus. I got married and
left home to go to Vitória, far away in
another state. There I started attending a
Baptist Church where I accepted Jesus
and converted from my sins, and today my
family and I serve the LORD and we are a
family that lives for God.”
Her favorite Bible Verse is Psalm 89:13:
“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy
hand, and high is thy right hand.”
But I did not want to leave the things of the
world to accept Jesus. I got married and
left home to go to Vitória, far away in
another state. There I started attending a
Baptist Church where I accepted Jesus
and converted from my sins, and today my
family and I serve the LORD and we are a
family that lives for God.”
Vicki was able to spend a month with her family following Dad´s
diagnosis and surgery for colon cancer. Our children and two
nieces flew in for a visit during that time which was such an
encouragement to us all. Her parents are doing fine right now
and appreciate your prayers in regard to their health. Hospice is
coming regularly to help and encourage them. Please pray for
her brothers and sister, their mates and the grands as they do
what they can to encourage and help Mom and Dad. Only God
knows what is in store in the months ahead and if Dad´s cancer
will progress. He is trusting the LORD for each day and is
grateful, as we all are, for the extended time he´s been given.
diagnosis and surgery for colon cancer. Our children and two
nieces flew in for a visit during that time which was such an
encouragement to us all. Her parents are doing fine right now
and appreciate your prayers in regard to their health. Hospice is
coming regularly to help and encourage them. Please pray for
her brothers and sister, their mates and the grands as they do
what they can to encourage and help Mom and Dad. Only God
knows what is in store in the months ahead and if Dad´s cancer
will progress. He is trusting the LORD for each day and is
grateful, as we all are, for the extended time he´s been given.
| Thank You For Your Prayers |
Project Fresh Start is a ministry of
the Regular Baptist Press of Brazil.
the Regular Baptist Press of Brazil.
| It’s ok to be kind to those in need, even when they may be living out the consequences of bad decisions. |
Tim’s Shop. He is manufacturing church
benches for two churches, doing vehicle
maintenance, rebuilding a trailer for one of the
believers to haul his produce to the markets,
and perpetually fixing stuff that breaks.
Tim’s Office. His teaching preparation is: Adult
Bible Study on grace living, Sunday preaching
on Christ Given Liberty to Religious People
(Galatians), evangelistic messages for the
Radio Program Viva Com Cristo, and some
research.
Tim’s Construction. Presently Tim is helping
his brother Doug by remodeling a classroom
(putting in a floor, ceiling and a/c) for the area
Bible Leadership Institute. July starts the
building of an add-on to the parsonage for the
Villa Baptist Church.
Tim’s iPod. Latest downloads: John Piper-
Conformity to Christ, Alistair Begg- A Charge to
be a man of God, and Steve Brown - reviewing
his book on prayer.
