Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/81

Contributor - Murray Moerman

Title - What The Lord Can Do

Topic - Poverty

The only thing unexpected about her apartment is the world map taped to a secluded wall in the hall. Around that map are thirty-one faces looking out eagerly at you. "Meet Daoduern, and this is Eduardo." Doris has 32 foster children - this month. Last month she had thirty-one. Since July of 1979 she has added on foster child through World Vision each month. This month she will give away $720.00.

This would not be so out of the ordinary except for one thing: Doris is on welfare! She is a single parent with two children still at home and is giving away to others more than she receives from the government.

How does she do it? "Well", she responds, "the Lord deals with me daily and shows me what my needs are. When I became a Christian, I still had the desire for a house, beautiful clothes, and trips to other places. Now, I've learned to give first, and then live on what's left. "

Doris babysits when she can but asks that a contribution go to World Vision in her name. "I have no debts, no major possessions, and no obligations, aside from my two children," says Doris. "I'm free to give."

Not that giving money is the bottom line. Doris is also active in evangelism, a prayer ministry, and discipline new Christians in her local church.

Yet God has stretched her giving from $80.00 a month in September of 1978, steadily growing, to $720.00 less than three years later.

How long can this continue? "As long as the Lord desires," says Doris. "low do not feel this is my goal, but something I am compelled to do. It is completely in His Hands. He will let me know if it is to continue or not. I made a commitment to the Lord to raise my tithe $20.00 a month as long as He provided the means to do it. Every time it becomes impossible, our circumstances change, so I know it is the Lord who makes continuing possible."

Doris does not consider herself poor. "God continues to bless us with food, clothes, good health, visits with family across Canada and with spiritual growth in the lives of my children. Also I have the blessing of knowing "my children" all over the world are praying for me. How can we fail to prosper?"

Many of Doris's I foster children are already Christians, but many are not. Regular letters to her "children" become opportunities to witness and to share the love of Christ.

"The emphasis must always be to glorify God," says Doris, "and to learn more and more to trust Him. I never look for babysitting jobs or ways to make money, I never need to worry about obstacles or seeming setbacks, but simply wait for the Lord to work things out."

Praise God! He has done great things and continues to do them in the lives of ordinary people!

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