Daily Devotion

This story was written by the Hettich Family

We spent quite a bit of time as a family  discussing and listening for where God is calling us to help with the very generous “God’s Grace YOUR Hands” gift we received. We lived in Panama City, Panama for many years. During our time there, we were able to witness good economic, social and political progress for the country overall. However, we were always aware of the extremely difficult life circumstances and hardships many Panamanian families still face today.

We therefore decided to reach out to the Tatare congregation of the Iglesia de Cristo en Panama, and shared with them Good Shepherd's “God’s Grace YOUR Hands” blessing. We asked them to let us know where God was calling them. Please feel free to google the Iglesia de Cristo en Panama and the Tatare congregation (also on facebook).

The Tatare church council met, and they discussed Good Shepherd’s “God’s Grace YOUR Hands” blessing. They decided to help one of their members with the most urgent need - the Franco family. The Franco family, originally from the ngäbe-buglé comarca in the province of Veraguas, Panama, is currently being supported by the Tatare congregation. Mr. Franco recently lost his work when his employer of many years “closed down”. Mr. Franco not only lost his employment, but at the same time the Franco family lost their “home”, since the employer had also provided living space for the family. We sent our gift of $500 plus $250 to our contacts in the Tatare Church Council.

Luke 14 

Jesus said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. ¹⁴ And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Reflection: What connections do you have with this issue of poverty on a global scale?  Please take some time to learn about hunger in our world.  This link is a great place to start: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/ELCA-World-Hunger

Is God calling you to be generous in some way in response?