Throughout our current pandemic, various emotions have surfaced within us all. These are uncertain times and emotions can shift without notice or warning. With those emotions, memories can surface when a song comes to mind. Emotions of peace and those of sorrow.
It was one day as we were beginning the planning for a ministry campaign, TIME to Eat, when a memory flooded back to me. TIME to Eat is our program to assist families in need with food for a week. It was at the thought of this that I was taken back to a time when I stood in the kitchen of a Haitian home. This memory brought back a surge of feelings and experiences as it was one so embedded in my soul.
On this particular day, we were helping a Haitian community to build a chapel and the Pastor’s house was all we had available to make the meal for the team and workers. We were in a small, 2-bedroom, cement floor home where the kitchen only consisted of a small counter space, kitchen sink and a 4 burner stove. The Haitian women were able to make the chicken and rice outside on a wood fire, though myself and another Dominican volunteer proceeded to fry over 30 sweet plantains.
As we stood in this small corner of the world, the fragrant bouquet of the sweet plantain aroma filled my heart and also the lyrics of a song by Leeland….
You live among the least these
The weary and the weak
It would a be a tragedy
For me to turn away
All my needs you have supplied
When I was dead you gave me life
How could I not give it away so freely
My soul began to recall all the needs that God has supplied for me and that I need to give him so much. The thought of just standing here in this small space did not compare to the immense love that filled me at that moment. God’s provision for me is so great. We then should share it with others with a great command on our hearts. We can follow Him into the next home even if it is physically or prayerfully. We can share him and share the love that he has so richly blessed us. I asked myself if I would follow him…. Will you Follow him?
And I’ll Follow you into the homes of broken
Follow you in the world
Meet the needs for the poor and needy God
Follow into the world
Use my hands, use my feet to make your kingdom come.
To the corners of the earth until your work is done
Faith without works is dead
On the cross your blood was shed
How could we not give it away so freely
Why could I not give my life so freely? I continued to pray for God’s forgiveness and grace to fill my heart and fill the home where I was standing. I prayerfully followed Him into the home where I was and into the work He has called me to in the Dominican Republic. Why did I still hold onto in my life? What did I need to give away to allow His sweet peace to fill my heart and my life?
It was at this point that I realized it was not sweat that was pouring down my face but the tears of surrender as I realized that I needed to Follow Him into what He had for me next….
And I’ll Follow you into the homes of broken
Follow you in the world
Meet the needs for the poor and needy God
Follow into the world
Through this song, I am continually reminded of all the incredible blessings the Lord can bestow upon us as His children. He has given me the great gifts of a family,a place to live, food on the table and so much more than I could think or imagine. The Lord’s sweet aroma of peace and grace filled me as I felt the heat of those plantains frying in front of me. I needed to remember that there were so many around me with far less and more than I could imagine for which filled their hearts and homes. I had a chance to then stand in the middle of their home and it was there that I felt the Lord’s presence.
Today, I am reminded of my broken experience in the home of a Haitian pastor and his family. It is that family and so many more families like theirs that are in need. Daily sustenance is lacking for them now. The pandemic has caused many of them to lose their jobs and the resources to acquire needed materials for their families have been eliminated.
We are praying now for God’s leading for us all to help those in need. Please consider praying about joining us, TIME Ministries, to go into the homes of the needy. Our food distribution campaign, TIME to Eat, is raising funds for families at only USD$77 which can supply food for a family of six for a week. This is over 100 meals for one family at only USD$0.71 per plate. Would you consider praying about this opportunity?
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply,‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:37-40 New International Version (NIV)
New International Version (NIV)
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It was in 2009 that Christian artists, Leeland and Brandon Health spent a week in Cambodia helping to feed the needy where the heart of the Song“Follow You” is found.
We also desire to FOLLOW our Lord into the homes of Mexicans,Dominicans and Haitians where the need is great. Please consider partnering with us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
“Follow You” by Leeland ( with guest artist, Brandon Heath) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajIFfSaEzE
