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make a difference



So many blessings and challenges are part of the back2school project, yet it is easy to see what God is doing.  Many opportunities led to many students and their families hearing about Jesus.  What an honor to serve the people we encounter.

 

Psalm 34:8  NLT

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

 

One of the sweetest parts is partnering with others like Samaritan’s Feet.  Manny and Tracie Ohonme started Samaritan’s Feet in 2003 serving people around the world, sharing hope in Christ.  This happens through washing feet and giving new shoes.  Like the back2school project the Ohonme’s are committed to sharing the hope found in Jesus.

 

15 years ago Ron Pegram introduced us to the Ohonmes and challenged us to add shoes to our back2school work.  The rest is history, as the old saying goes.  

 

Manny shared when he was with us years ago some things that still roll through my heart and mind.  He talked about three kingdom principles and here they are.

 

1.  You cannot change what you avoid.

 

2.  You cannot complain about what you tolerate.

 

3.  You cannot impact what you run from.

 

Joshua 1:9  NLT

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

 

Many people have chosen to avoid things rather than confront them.  When we compromise and avoiding things, we make things worse.  If we want to make a difference in the lives of people, we cannot avoid people and needs.

 

Some people are going to complain about everything.  When we run from difficult situations or complain about trouble, there will often be even more difficulties.  But digging deeper in tough situations and meeting needs makes a huge difference.  We should stop running and start facing challenges.

 

My prayer is that we would continue to make a difference in our community and beyond.  Manny said, “if your community is not a better place because you are there, you better ask why you are there.”  God called us to make a difference.  And the back2school outreach for 19 years has made a difference.  

 

To make a difference we have to deal with challenges and ask God to use us to make a difference now and in the future!

 

1 Corinthians 16:13  NLT

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

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