Nothing Left to Give

It's not surprising to say that a big part of missions is serving others. Sharing our home, our food, our family....showing God's love in all forms. Many times we have seen how God has blessed us so that we may be a blessing to others. As American's in a foreign country, it would often seem as though we give from our abundance...an abundance of resources, finances, and faith. But God does not always ask as to give in our own abundance. Sometimes He asks us to give out of our poverty, in our own time of need.

If you had asked me a week ago what I had to offer to 7 strangers...7 people I had never met, I would have told you I had nothing to offer. Our family has struggled the last few weeks with a feeling of emotional and spiritual poverty. We were tired, lonely, homesick and financially drained. We were struggling with distance from home during the passing of Jon's grandfather. Our frustrations with learning a difficult language, bridging the cultural gap, and relying only on God's provision had left us feeling as though we truly had nothing to offer to anyone.

That's when we received the message...when God spoke to my heart and said "Give." When we felt our resources were gone, our passion waning, and our selfishness overwhelming, God told us to open our homes and give not out of our abundance, but out of our poverty.

Today, a week later, we can say God has truly blessed us beyond measure once again. Last Wednesday, a group of American young adults with Adventures in Missions contacted us for assistance finding accommodations in Budapest. Without hesitation, I found myself inviting them to stay in our humble home... nothing special to offer, just a warm, safe room in which to lay their sleeping bags...a warm shower and a washing machine. In the past few days, we've been able to share stories, encouragement, ministries and prayer. These 7 strangers have become 7 friends. They have given to our Hungarian family and shown them God's love. And once again, God has turned what would seem as our sacrifice into our great blessing.

Has God asked you to give in your abundance? What about in your poverty? When you seem to have nothing left to give, what can you sacrifice for God? After all....He wants it all.

Abundantly Blessed,

Corinne and Family

(Photo: Some of the Hungarians from our Bible study with our '7 Strangers')