$4.46 = 5 loaves and 2 fish

A few weeks ago I spoke at Judson's "Soul Summit" (Kindergarten-4th graders) about being a missionary in India. I started off by reading a story from the Jesus Story Book Bible (which is incredible! i love it, and i'm almost 22), explaining that telling stories about Jesus is a way to tell Indians about Jesus. I also taught them the way Christian Indians greet one another in Hindi - Jay-ma-si. It means victory in Jesus. One of the funniest moments was when I told them that most Indians don't have toilets (most have "squatty potties" or just places in their back yard). They couldn't believe it! I was tempted to tell them they didn't use toilet paper, either...but I resisted more potty humor in church. Squatty potties created a good enough "shock effect."

But the most memorable moment of the day was when they took up an offering for me at the end. First they passed around a basket for their tithes, and then Julie Robertson asked for everyone who had an offering for me to come up to the front and put it in the basket. It was so precious to see those kids run up and give all of what they had...quarters, dimes, nickels, and even pennies. All together it was $4.46.

A couple of weeks later I received the check in the mail, and I almost started crying because God reminded me instantly of when Jesus fed the 5000 (probably even more people including the men's wives and children) with the 5 loaves and 2 fish of a little boy. I have to raise $10,000 which is unfathomable to a child and sometimes to me. But I am positive that feeding 15,000 people (filling Belmont's Curb Center 3 times!) with 5 hunks of bread a couple of fish seemed CRAZY to the disciples in Jesus' time. They knew they couldn't do it on their own. They needed Jesus. And boy did Jesus show up! There was an abundance of food! God doesn't do things half-heartedly. He uses what we give in generosity and turns them into glorious things out of his great riches! So that has been my prayer...Jesus, turn this $4.46 into $10,000, and give me a heart of faith that You have the power to do it and you will!

I ask that you would pray this with me and ask if God is wanting you to be a part of his gospel-sharing mission in India.

(By the way, after Julie announced that they gave $4.46 to help me go to India, a little girl who was 10 whispered to her friend, "Maybe she can buy a toilet!" Ha!)