Extravagant!

Friday, Sept. 16

Lavish…overflowing….this is my image of today, Graduation Day! The completion of the sewing training (which requires passing a series of particular skill tests) is always cause for celebration; all the previous graduations have been filled with joy, abounding sense of accomplishment, pride and hopefulness for the future, but this one is particularly significant given the extraordinary circumstances of the past 18 months; it’s more than completion, it is triumph!! 

Extravagant Praise!

Few can lead worship like Mama Mary, and today there was extravagant praise for Who God is and all He’s done!  Nothing quite compares to the “Homecare Choir,” which was composed today of not only the graduates, but a large group of former graduates and the current class, along with many guests and friends.  Even Apollinaire was there, and it was particularly sweet for them to begin singing one of his worship songs as he rose to join them in praise!

Extravagant Thanks!

Representatives of this graduating group gave testimony of God’s sustaining power, power over fear, power of protection, and power of provision. For Bibles, food, safety in times of great insecurity, deep caring, loving counsel…..genuine acceptance….FAMILY – for all this and more they gave thanks!  Many came to Homecare unable to read or write; how poignant it was to have one of the graduates read Ps. 27 from her own Bible; “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  One shared how as a mother of 10 and grandmother of 5, she was ridiculed, rejected and deemed worthless; she held her head high, a woman of dignity and worth, confident of God’s care and overflowing with thanks.  A guest, whom we discovered is now a Senator in the government, gave thanks for giving her a “daughter.”  Nadine, one of the graduates, had come to work for her to help with her ailing mother-in-law.  When her mother–in- law passed away, there was no longer work for Nadine, but the woman had become close to her and wanted more for her life.  She brought her to Homecare in hopes that she could learn skills and be able to have a better future.  What pride she had in Nadine today!  “Thank you for all you have done for my daughter.”

Extravagant Joy!

As one by one, each graduate came to the front to receive her certificate of achievement (such acknowledgements carry a lot of weight in this culture), there was overflowing joy on their faces!  They have not only completed a rigorous course of training; they have overcome a sense of hopelessness; they have persevered where many would have been crushed; they have risen victorious with abounding joy!

Extravagant Mercy!

Today was just a picture of God’s mercy lavishly poured out over them, over Homecare, the staff, countless others who have been comforted there and cared for.  Mercy!

As these newest graduates receive their own sewing machines and start up tools to begin their own businesses, may they continue to live in the overflow of all they’ve experienced these past months; protect them, Lord.  Bring them many clients, and may each of them continue to be a light and be Your light wherever they go.

Today we shared love, joy, thanksgiving, with a deep sense of community……

immersed in His Extravagant Grace!

Tomorrow we will travel to Matana, Peace’s village, to explore future ministry opportunities.  We are looking forward to our time there!  We will probably not have internet there, but we will resume updates when we return later Sunday.

Pray for safe travels and a clear sense of God’s direction as we seek His plans.