beWARM

When was the last time you felt your eyes brimming with tears? Most usually, they arrive when we are sad – but occasionally appear when we are deeply moved.

Hearts and eyes full, emotion crests… and our tears spill over.

I experienced this phenomenon more than once during our eye project in the sleepy village of Peren Town, Nagaland, India.

Out of the most severe trials their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ~2 Corinthians 8:2

In this verse, Paul is referring to monetary donations that he was collecting for the distressed believers in Jerusalem. For me, this verse speaks of the magnanimity of the heart.

Prior to my first MMI experience, I held the assumption that the poor were continually in need of “receiving”. Our very first trip to Honduras in 1995 was motivated by a desire to “give back”, and to expose our daughters to life in a Third World Country. (much unlike the cushy existence we are accustomed to)

With each subsequent project, I increasingly discovered the richness of life present among peoples who have little – and remarkably, began to feel as if I was receiving much more than I was giving.

In Peren Town, our eye team experienced warm hospitality from villagers who live without the creature comforts we take for granted. Hosted by local families, we shared in their daily routines; hot tea with milk throughout the day, warm water magically appearing each morning for our “bucket showers”, meals cooked in iron cauldrons over open fires.

We saw the pride they have in their community, felt the contentment they have with their lives, and knew the deep appreciation they had for our service to them.

One might presume that dissatisfaction and discouragement would be the prevailing attitudes in such communities; rather, Peren Town exudes a spirit of hope and optimism…and peace.

In verse 3, Paul continues: For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, even beyond their ability.

Often during mission projects, we find ourselves being  stretched beyond our personal capability and endurance. It is relatively easy to settle into “living like the locals” when we know it is only for 2 weeks out of the year!

With life’s cares and concerns thousands of miles away, we readily empty ourselves in service with patience and flexibility we never knew we had.

The question is, how can I/we continue to cultivate this rich generosity of spirit in our lives at home? Here, we are challenged by poverty of a different sort that can be present in our very own lives.

For some, it comes in the form of loss – be it of health, job, or relationship. For others, emptiness exists due to lack of connection and loneliness. I would bet that some of the people who engage in constant electronic communication and have hundreds of internet friends still long for a true soul connection – for that deep and lasting relationship  where expressions of love are never measured.

How can we nurture this largesse of spirit so that it becomes our permanent life mission, wherever we may be? How can it continue to “well up” and spill over to others, reflecting God’s love and goodness to all – even in spite of our personal challenges?

God’s generous grace is a bubbling fountain – living waters available to us at all times. Through a relationship with His son Jesus, we can discover a richer and fuller life than we ever could have imagined.

If we continue to follow Him, His love within us will fill us to overflowing. And, with hearts at peace, we will naturally reach out to others.

The beautiful Christ-filled people of Peren Town are an example and an inspiration for us. The way in which they shared their hearts, homes and lives have left an indelible imprint within.

And we will always remember how they have made the best of the lives they have been given.

 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:7

My heart is fuller from my experience in Nagaland. I will hold onto these memories of selfless generosity that welled up and overflowed, coming from the people of a poor village who extended themselves to us so fully – above and beyond our expectations.

Let all of us seek to excel in the rich grace of giving while being grateful recipients of God’s lavish generosity.

And may our continued spiritual growth in Christ result in the spilling over of abundant joy to all.