I'm being truly transparent and honest. Today has been a disappointing day. We got a phone call this morning telling us that a mission team that was supposed to be coming next month cancelled. This team was supposed to start the ground work to the house in the remote village we have been talking about and posting pics of so much. (See previous posts) We have been so excited for this, but most importantly Cindy and her family could not wait. I can't express how heart broken we were when we found out they were no longer going to come.
When we first met Cindy and her family, they had this sense of hopelessness that life could not be better and would not get better for them. They didn't smile much and didn't talk much. But as our relationship has grown, we have seen a different side. They now understand that we love and care for them. We come see them and check on them weekly. They know that we desperately want to help them. When we told her the team was coming to start the work, she was so excited. Her face lit up. She had hope. Everytime we pull up to her house, the kids run out screaming, "It's Eric and Brittany! It's Eric and Brittany!"
So, this morning we get the call. The call that says, "we are no longer coming." It's not because they don't have the money or something drastic has happened. They just changed their mind. Other things more appealing were offered. People decided they would rather spend the money towards their vacation or something more fun. I wanted to say, "Seriously? This must be a joke." Unfortunatley, it's not. They really did call a month before they were supposed to be here and cancel. They must not realize that their actions and decisions do not just affect them.
But, they are not the ones who have to face this family and tell them that no one is coming to help them now. Nope, that would be our family that has to do that. We are the ones who have to say, "We know we told you these people wanted to come out and help, but now they can't (actually don't want to) come anymore." Yep, we are the ones that look like liars. So, after we say all this, why would she want to hear anything we have to say about a relationship with Jesus?
That could possibly be the scenario, but we are not giving up. We believe that God will send other people to do this work. Perhaps you are reading this now and God is calling you to be apart of this ministry.
We have the following dates available for mission teams to come and work on this project. (The work needing to be done will mostly be construction work so experienced people are needed, however do not count yourself out if you are not experienced.)
April 9-16
April 23-30
May 7-14
May 14-21
May 21-28
We are going to try our best to make this mission trip the cheapest way possible. If you are seriously interested in coming any of these weeks, please email us at
liveloveaz@gmail.com or if you have our phone number please call. You don't have to form a group to be able to come.
You could be reading this and know that you can't come on a trip but you could give some money towards this project. The estimated cost to finish this project completely is between $15,000-$20,000. You may not be able to give much but every little bit helps. Even if it's $5 or $10. It adds up. You can send a check to our address specifying what it is for: PO Box 2237, Sacaton, AZ 85147. I'm going to try to set it up also so that you can make payments online. (It may take me a day or two.)
If you can't do either of these, then please pray. We know that God hears our prayers!!!
These verses have been on my mind all day today: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus says in verse 40, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
In verse 45, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
Which response would Jesus say to you?
Will you choose to serve Jesus by serving the least of these?