Thursday, August 6, 2015

No Choice But To Press On

Hey Friend,
 
I realized today, yet again, that I truly don't "get" it all.  Lying there as still as I could, my body slid into the long narrow tube.  Thankfully, my head remained sticking out, or otherwise they would have had to have given me valium to put me all the way in.  I know this because I've been there.  I'm very claustrophobic. 
 
I glanced up and caught the name SIEMENS as my focal point.  The giant donut I was in was clacking out all sorts of loud, cosmic, Star Wars type sounds.  Not very calming to the soul. 
 
The kind radiology technician asked me what kind of music I would like to listen to since the cosmic cacophony would grow louder over the next fifteen minutes or so.  I chose Christian music.  While the noised clattered on around me, I breathed in the words of the songs I was listening to.  Some were new to me, but one was an older song by Building 429.  Fitting to my situation, it's called "Press On". 
 
As I look ahead to a very probable third surgery in less than three years, I confess... I don't understand.  As I lay there, the lyrics rose up from my soul as a sort of prayer to God.  I'd like to share them with you because they really resonated with me...
 

I am a mess; I am a wrecking ball
I must confess that I still don't get it all
Lord, I believe that all Your words are true
Doesn't matter where I'm going
If I'm going with You
 
I press on
I press on
I press on
When I still don't get it all
 
Life goes on...
All I need I will find in You
 
 
I am a mess.  I don't understand why?  I'm tired of pain.  But I can raise the banner that says, "I have received the greatest gift of all...the gift of salvation!"
 
I claim the Lord's promise:
 
My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
 
I do know one thing, and that is that I would love for some very poor, destitute, orphaned, and forgotten children in Pakistan to be able to raise that same banner.  I want them to have the gift of salvation!  My scars will heal, but theirs may not unless we help.
 
I also want them to have one of the few things that will give them a possible leg up and out of the terrible pit they are in, and that is the gift of an education.  Their life right now is hard labor, or roaming the evil streets because they cannot afford an education. 
 
Their future is more of the same or possibly being sold into slavery or snatched to be a sex slave.  It's a future that none of us can even begin to fathom for our children.  But, these are our children because they are God's children.  Many times in the Bible God commands us to provide a refuge for the widows and the orphans.  He calls us not to turn a blind eye to the least of these. 
 
I am asking you, pleading with you, to consider sponsoring one of these children for one year at Redeemer Christian School.
 
Just $10/month will get them off the streets, out of harms way, and more than anything, give them the love of Jesus and the hope of an education and a future.  You can pay in installments over the year.
 
If a full year is too much...would you consider a half a year?  That's $60.
 
Meet Rosaline
 
Rosaline is just 8 years old.  She is the youngest of five sisters.  She loves Redeemer Christian and wants to be able to stay here.  Realistically, getting an education with us is her only shot at a better life. Women, without an education, are the lowest of the low in this part of the world. If we had additional funds, her sisters would also like to come  to RCS rather than work to survive. Would you consider sponsoring her?
 
Meet Salman
 Salman is 7 years old.  He does not want to go back to having to slave away to make bricks for a pittance. We are thankful that he is within the doors of Redeemer Christian and not down the street at one of the jihad seminaries.  Will you give him a fighting chance at life with an education?  He is growing in his love of Jesus...what great things he can do with his life with your help!
 
This is the passion that stirs my heart.  I want these kids to know that His grace is sufficient for them too.  If, like me, they don't get life sometimes (and their hopeless world is so far removed from my comfy world), they will "get" that they have the greatest gift of all - the gift of salvation!
 
Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these or one of the many other children to keep them in school with us.  Contributions can be sent to:
 
Bev Rihtarchik (put RCS in the memo line)
103 Silver Lining Lane
Cary, NC  27513
 
or contact me at: bevduncan103@yahoo.com
 
**Note RCS is not yet a 501c3 registered organization.  The legal fees are cost prohibitive at this point.  Every penny is guaranteed to go to the children...you have my promise.
 
Hopefully, I'll be back full force next week with an amazing story of witnessing one of God's miracles.  Meanwhile...
 
Be blessed...
 

14 comments:

  1. Bev, this is a really great post. I love how you tied the two together. I am praying - right here and right now. I will retweet this post.

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    1. Kelly,
      Thank you so much for your continual encouragement and for cheering me on. Thank you even more for retweeting this post that others may know and have compassion for the plight of these precious ones!!
      ((Hugs)),
      Bev

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  2. Lord, sustain Bev during this time of pain and uncertainty. Provide for her in every way, and bless her ministry, her family, and her relationship with You. Thank you for the life she has in You.

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    1. Michele,
      Thank you for your beautiful prayer and for always being so encouraging and uplifting!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  3. Bev,
    I pray that you may find understanding and healing of the pain. Thank you for the reminder that all we need we will find in Him, even and especially when we don't get it.

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    1. Janna,
      Thank you for your prayers. May our lives be a process of learning to lean on Him, even with questions...
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  4. Praying for you as you seek to understand and wish to be healed. God's grace is sufficient but it is easy to question that during times where we just don't understand. Love you girl!

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    1. Mary,
      Thank you for your sweet prayers!! You are a bright spot in my day :)
      Love you too,
      Bev

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  5. I am sorry Bev. May God strengthen and fill you with peace as you take the next step. Love your heart to be thinking of others who are suffering. Glad to be neighbors at the #RaRaLinkup today.

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    1. Katie,
      When I think of what pain I have, I can't help but be reminded of these precious little ones who live with so much pain every day. Thank you for your caring and compassionate heart!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  6. Dear Bev. Sorry about the probable surgery.
    Don't worry Bev. someday you will share a testimony.
    But for now keep pressing on and sharing your encouraging words.
    God Bless

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    1. Ifeoma,
      Thank you so much for the encouragement! Trying to take this recuperation one day at a time. I know God, as usual, will be up to something through all of this! Our God is faithful!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  7. Hi Bev. I'm having coffee next to you at Holley's place today. I think this may be the first time I've been here. What a struggle and what a heart you have for these precious ones.

    I have learned personally that God shines brightest through my pain. I still can't say I would choose to go through what I went through again, but I do recognize the ministry that came out of it.

    I see you already embracing what He is doing in your life. He is good. All the time. And you effervesce that truth. Loved my time here this morning!

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    1. Christi,
      First let me say, "Welcome"!! So true that God shines brightest through our pain and weakness. He has also drawn me so close unto Himself through these trials. Your comment truly made my day!! I'm so blessed that you took the time to read and to comment. Your words lifted me up!!
      Blessings and ((hugs)),
      Bev

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