” … he will give a crown of beauty for ashes …” (Isaiah 61:3)
The photos come to my phone and I return to view them again and again. I find the words to a song flooding my thoughts and taking on deeper meaning:
“Water You turned into wine.
Open the eyes of the blind.
There’s no one like You,
None like You.Into the darkness You shine.
Out of the ashes we rise.
There’s no one like You,
None like You.”
(lyrics from Our God is Greater by Chris Tomlin)
The Lulu Tree has launched a program by which we offer new loans to the community. Our vision is to help many start small business and journey to supporting and providing for their own families without our involvement.
Esther Tendo, our National Director in Uganda, teaches the pastors to listen to the stories of the women who come – the widows and abandoned ones – to choose those most desperately in need of support.
We believe in the local church, and desire to give it credibility so it earns the right to speak into the lives of its people. Our goal is to equip them to be completely reliant on and self-sufficient through the Word of God.
God – shining into their darkness – causing them to rise up, giving them beauty for ashes and hope of a future. It’s the way He makes the least become the greatest.
He’s showing us how to join Him, entering His story for them. He’s taking the orphans and the widows and turning them into sons and daughters. His.
It’s His plan, His way.
You can learn more about the pastors and their training here:
http://thelulutree.com/pastors/
Today I am joining … Unite and #RaRaLInkup and TrekkingThru the Week and Teaching What Is Good .
Beautiful. I love it when God shows the way for each and every one of us to join Him in his work. Thanks, Joanne. God’s rich blessings to you and everyone you encounter!
Mari-Anna, you said it so well – – – it’s His work and He invites us to join Him. May we be willing and obedient. Blessings!
Hi Joanne: How wonderful it is to know that God is doing such a wonderful work all over the world! Sounds like LuLu Tree is an amazing ministry. Thanks so much for sharing. Your neighbor over at Cheerleaders of faith.
Thank you, Tiffany. God is using The Lulu Tree to make a difference in lives both in Uganda and Sierra Leone. And in the midst of changing lives there, He changes the hearts and lives of each of us who join in the work. Humbling to be a small part.
Joanne,
Joining with you in wanting to bring hope where there is no hope. Love this song by Chris Tomlin. God can and does bring beauty from the ashes. Lulu Tree is definitely evidence of that. I praise God for your compassionate heart!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
And Bev, Redeemer Christian Foundation is making a difference in Pakistan. Praying for you and your ministry as well every day.
And for those who have not heard of RCF, let me share their link with you all as well…
http://redeemerchristianfoundation.org/
Much love,
Joanne