It Only Takes One, Plus God

Last summer I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with a group of about 17 adults and youth from our church. I was amazed how God was working in this country.

In the Dominican we had the opportunity to visit an orphanage where approximately 40 girls live. It began with one Christian woman named Dalma. Her neighbor had passed away and had left her daughter who had Down's Syndrome with no one to care for her. The girl had been treated like a dog. She was tied up in the back yard and fed just like a dog. So Dalma took the little girl in her home and things spiraled from there. She is now caring for about 40 girls who, for one reason or another, can't live with their biological parents. Later we visited a Christian School called Emanuel House. This school was launched by a woman named Mirqueya. The school is slated for hearing impaired students and Haitian children who do not have the proper paperwork to attend public school. Still another place called the Lily House is set up to assist women who previously lived in the red light district (sex trafficking). The women are provided a safe place to stay and are taught a trade to assist them to eventually be able to support themselves. All of these programs are Christ- centered. The children and women are taught about the love of God.

All those outreach programs began with one woman. I kept thinking, " How can one person do this? How can one person care for 40 girls? How does one start up a school for special needs children in a poverty- stricken village, or begin housing for women to get out of a life that's all they've ever known?" Then God impressed on me so strongly; "Cyndy, they had me. They didn't do it alone. I helped them. Just as I used Moses, David, Ruth, and many others." Suddenly the Bible verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) became very real to me. You see, none of these women would have been able to do all these things alone on their own. The Holy Spirit spoke and they listened. When the task seemed too daunting, they had Jesus. He makes a way for us. None of us can accomplish endeavors like this alone. We need God. Is the Holy Spirit nudging you to do something and you have been resisting because you just can't do it alone? He is reminding you right now, you're not alone. You have Him! We have Him! It only takes one, plus God.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus, for showing me how you work through others, and that you can also work through me too. Forgive me when I allow fear and doubt to creep in and stifle what you want to do through me. Strengthen my faith. Holy Spirit thank you for always living inside of me; speaking truth. Amen

Memory Verse: (Joshua 1:9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.