Exceedingly Abundantly

Fun Times - cooking with "K" in the kitchen - July 2009

I met "K" during the summer of 2006 on a family short term mission trip to the "Island of the Spices" and we became instant friends. Both of us Special Ed. teachers, we seemed to have many of the same interests, and common beliefs.

"K" is a pioneer and advocate for the developmentally delayed children of Trinidad. Parents of children with special needs must pay extra for education in the public schools where they are basically ignored by teachers and taunted by other students. She has selflessly given her life to teach and manage a Christian Special Education school that reaches out to children and families of many different faiths. The work and ministry done at that school is amazing!

Before leaving Trinidad in 2006 we prayed that there would be a way that I could return to help in some way with the school. A year later, August of 2007, someone called and asked what they could to help the work in Trinidad. When I shared about the needs of the school, she told me she wanted to give a donation that would allow me and my family to return to Trinidad.

Exceedingly Abundantly

In the summer of 2008, I was able to lead a parent workshop and a teacher workshop in the school, sharing materials and ideas for instruction and offering support for parents. What an honor! My friendship with "K" grew that summer as we enjoyed working together and sharing good times touring the island. I got to know her family and was especially drawn to her son, "J."

"J" suffers from a mild case of cerebral palsy which impairs his ability to walk normally. Quality medical care is very limited in Trinidad and it was obvious to me that "J" needed better care to correct his mobility issues. So, again we prayed.

This summer, the summer of 2009 "K" and her precious family came to the U. S. and stayed in our home. We enjoyed sharing meals together, shopping together, and exposing them to the culture of South Georgia. They were crazy about boiled peanuts! Although they did manage to slip in some much-deserved R & R on their visit, the main reason for traveling to the U. S. was to find medical care for their son, "J". Before their arrival in the states, we prayed and made numerous calls, talking to different hospitals and doctors throughout the southeastern U. S. We were so excited when we discovered a compassionate orthopedic doctor in our very own town that would see "J" free of charge.

Exceedingly, Abundantly

When the doctor examined "J" he advised that he see a physical therapist and be fitted for braces, a costly treatment. Concerned about the cost, we prayed again. Within a few hours, the doctor called to say that the physical therapy and the braces would be a gift. "K" and her husband "T" were overwhelmed with gratitude and struggled with how to thank the doctors' gift of care for their son. We sat in the den of our home talking late one night. I watched as they tried to grasp this gift. This love. This compassion.

Exceedingly, Abundantly

Ephesians 3:20 says He gives exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. He gives much more than you think He should give. He gives according to His riches because He is a rich God. He gives in full measure, just as it says in Luke 6:38: Give, and it will be given to you: good measure', pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put info your bosom. To give in good measure means to give abundantly. It means using a larger measure than is really necessary—the largest measure one has. "Pressed down" means packing the measure as full as possible, then shaking it together to add a little more. Finally, when the measure is completely full, even more is added until it ends up running over. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).