“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly.”Romans 12:4-6
Clara was an elderly widow of a deceased Lutheran evangelist. Schooled for many years under the teaching of her faithful husband, Clara had lived a life of sacrifice and Christian outreach, using her gifts of hospitality to show the love of Jesus. She prayed faithfully for the work of missions around the world and wrote letters to encourage the missionaries in their work. Her letters reflected a deep concern for the work going on across the seas. And Clara prayed. Upon hearing the need of funds for land and a church building in the church-planting efforts of Paul and Becky Abel, she had a burden to pray. She wrote a letter to the Abels expressing her great desire to help with this project – “I would so love to help you build a church but I am a poor widow. I am praying that God will touch the heart of some person who can donate the money for this project.” Clara’s heartfelt prayer was answered when God touched the hearts of Susan and Mike and Karen.
Susan was a pastor’s wife in northern Minnesota. She had heard a missionary share about the need for money to purchase land for a new church plant in Curitiba. Susan wanted to be a part of starting a church in Brazil. However, living on a meager lay pastor’s salary she had to be creative in thinking of ways to raise money. Susan decided to do a personal Bike-a-thon. She went around town finding sponsors from friends, church members and businesses in town. Susan was a large middle-aged woman who had committed herself to riding several miles alone and raising money for each mile she rode. The day arrived for the big event. The wind was blowing, skies overcast, but Susan’s desire to fulfill her commitment did not wane. She started out on the deserted roads around rural Roseau and rode that bicycle. As she rode she thought and prayed about the project that was on her heart. Mid-morning her husband drove to meet her in the car and offered her some coffee and a snack. He wondered if she wanted to give up and come home with him. Susan forged on. She was not even dissuaded when she eyed a black bear crossing the road ahead of her. Many people were astonished by Susan’s accomplishments and gladly fulfilled their vows to help buy land for a church in Brazil. The faith of this one daring woman resulted in a gift of $7000 to purchase land for the first church-planting project in Curitiba. One should never say, “There is nothing I can do.” A quote from D.L. Moody might be a good one for all of us to remember – “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do.”
During the same time, Mike and Karen went to a special church meeting about missions. They heard that some places in the world a church building could be built for $5000. They thought that was fantastic! The only missionaries they knew personally were Paul and Becky Abel. When Mike and Karen found out about their plans to build a church they happily donated $5000 for the project. They have been faithful supporters of the Brazil work ever since.
Each one of these people had a special part in fulfilling God’s will. The prayers of one godly woman resulted in the creativity and hard work of a mission-minded pastor’s wife and the generosity of a couple who wanted to make a difference in another part of the world.
