December 2011
| _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email: timandvicki@inafarplace.com Website: www.inafarplace.com Blog: http://inafarplace/blog Surface Mail: Tim & Vicki Reiner • Caixa Postal 111 • 56.302-970 Petrolina, PE • Brazil Baptist Mid-Missions • P.O. Box 308011 • Cleveland, OH • 44130-8011 • USA • (440)826-3930 Baptist Mid-Missions of Canada • 187 McLaughlin Drive • Moncton, NB • E1A4P4 • (506)386-6601 |
| _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| I´m like a Beggar Woman, sort of |
One characteristic of developing or emerging countries in rapid
economic growth is the constant reminder that adverse poverty is
ever-present. For centuries, beggars line sidewalks of their major
cities. More often than not, their bodies are deformed by disease and
their minds are handicapped by a difficult lifestyle. They reach out
their hands desperately hoping for a few coins. This type of poverty
never goes away. Politicians seeking re-election and faith communities
try to hep, yet Jesus made it clear that the poor will always be with us.
economic growth is the constant reminder that adverse poverty is
ever-present. For centuries, beggars line sidewalks of their major
cities. More often than not, their bodies are deformed by disease and
their minds are handicapped by a difficult lifestyle. They reach out
their hands desperately hoping for a few coins. This type of poverty
never goes away. Politicians seeking re-election and faith communities
try to hep, yet Jesus made it clear that the poor will always be with us.
| Thank You For Praying With Us |
1. Continue to pray for Tim's Mom, Joan, during this lonely time in her life. If you would like to call and
encourage her, email us for her cell phone number.
2. Tim's weekly messages and lesson preparation for the church.
3. The conclusion of a small construction project at the Vila Church in Petrolina.
4. Our safety.
5. That at the close of 2011, many of our believers would evaluate their life purpose and dedicate themselves
to faithful service in daily living, in the church and area congregations.
6. For the Christian women in the Vila Church as they look for ways to serve the LORD.
encourage her, email us for her cell phone number.
2. Tim's weekly messages and lesson preparation for the church.
3. The conclusion of a small construction project at the Vila Church in Petrolina.
4. Our safety.
5. That at the close of 2011, many of our believers would evaluate their life purpose and dedicate themselves
to faithful service in daily living, in the church and area congregations.
6. For the Christian women in the Vila Church as they look for ways to serve the LORD.
Today, I took a photo of the elderly woman who sits on a piece of cardboard on the steps of the nearby grocery
store. She has come to this spot for years. With her hands extended, she gives thumbs up when I give her some
change and thumbs down when I just walk on by.
Though I don’t know her name and she is unable talk, a few months ago, she taught me a lesson I hope to never
forget.
I had just driven up to the grocery store and parked. Before I stepped out of the truck, I glanced over to see if she
was in her spot there on the steps. As I reached for the change in the pick-up’s coin tray, I saw her motion to two
small street kids passing by. The little guys were filthy, barefoot, one with no shirt, and the other with little red
shorts that where in shreds. Their hair had not seen a comb for weeks nor bodies bathed and their stench was
intense.
Both little boys ran up to the beggar women who reached into her little coin can with filthy, crooked fingers. I
was amazed to watch her give to the two little street urchins what had been given to her! My throat tightened
and I held back tears at seeing someone who begs for bread give to someone else who begs for bread.
I’ve been thinking about that scene over and over again. It’s the perfect illustration of what my life should be,
especially as a missionary. I begged for mercy, forgiveness, and grace. My tin overflows. Daily, I should share with
fellow “beggars” where I find Bread for Life.
Grace Renders Peace,
Tim
store. She has come to this spot for years. With her hands extended, she gives thumbs up when I give her some
change and thumbs down when I just walk on by.
Though I don’t know her name and she is unable talk, a few months ago, she taught me a lesson I hope to never
forget.
I had just driven up to the grocery store and parked. Before I stepped out of the truck, I glanced over to see if she
was in her spot there on the steps. As I reached for the change in the pick-up’s coin tray, I saw her motion to two
small street kids passing by. The little guys were filthy, barefoot, one with no shirt, and the other with little red
shorts that where in shreds. Their hair had not seen a comb for weeks nor bodies bathed and their stench was
intense.
Both little boys ran up to the beggar women who reached into her little coin can with filthy, crooked fingers. I
was amazed to watch her give to the two little street urchins what had been given to her! My throat tightened
and I held back tears at seeing someone who begs for bread give to someone else who begs for bread.
I’ve been thinking about that scene over and over again. It’s the perfect illustration of what my life should be,
especially as a missionary. I begged for mercy, forgiveness, and grace. My tin overflows. Daily, I should share with
fellow “beggars” where I find Bread for Life.
Grace Renders Peace,
Tim
