The Power of Partnering
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble...A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Ecc. 4:9-12 NLT
At our house, we have two very excited, energetic boys. They are always rough and tumble; crashing is their favorite sport and their favorite word. "My crashing," James shouts as he plunges headlong into my leg or the couch. We tag team caring for these intense preschoolers as they quickly wear us down to tired lumps on the floor. Together we help each other succeed in providing a safe and loving home for them as they grow. Alone, we would be in real trouble.
Simon and James sticking together like brothers!
Our isolationist tendencies, rooted in self-sufficiency and independence, make us think that we can do things on our own. We even go so far as to feel guilty if we need help with something in our lives, thinking I should be able do it myself. The fact is, I cannot do it myself. I don't even want to do it myself. We have eaten and swallowed the lie that we can function on our own outside of community and support. The truth is we were created for community. God, in Trinity (a triple braided cord, if you will), spoke, "Let US make man in OUR image." He found that this man alone was unable to function and so he created community for him in the form of Eve. Then he met with them himself in fellowship. We have no idea how long Adam, Eve and God lingered in the beauty of unspoiled partnership. Maybe it was eons or maybe just a few short days before they attracted the attention of the evil one and were forever thrown into a system of separation -- at enmity with nature, each other and God.
We cannot thrive alone. We cannot succeed on our own. We need partners. We need YOU!
Pause to take a breath! I'm so in awe of God's amazing grace. I wrote the first portion of this blog while the boys were asleep, Simon's knock on his bedroom door stopped the blogging process and the three of us snuggled in the lazyboy to read a book, "The Little Red Hen". You remember the story; a hen wants to bake some bread and she asks her friends for help, but nobody wants to help until its time to eat the bread, freshly baked, hot from the oven. yum. It's all about partnership! Jesus, you are amazing to bring such confirmation to me in the midst of writing and life!
Partnership is the KEY to our children's future. Our children in Malawi need you to love them, support them and help them fulfill the dreams, plans and ambitions God has planted in their hearts.
Thank you to everyone who has partnered with us so faithfully for the past 10 years, in 2016 and in the past few weeks. You are part of a triple braided cord. I cannot do this alone! I don't want to do it alone. When I fall down, pick me up. When I'm weak, lend me an arm to lean on. When the enemy attacks, stand at my back to fight with me.
- We will rescue children from poverty, abuse, trafficking.
- We will educate children through university level on the Grace Center campus.
- We will make health care accessible to our community.
- We will step up Community Health education to reach more people.
- We will continue to bring economic development to our community.
TOGETHER.
Let's Explore the Possibilities of Partnering:
Sponsor a Child
You can transform a child's life today by becoming his sponsor. There is nothing better than personal engagement, one-on-one partnering with a child to make her dreams come true.
That's the power of partnering.