Faith

By Tony Timm

 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines Faith as:
A confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing.
That is not exactly the type of Faith we are talking about.  The second definition comes closer.
Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
As we set off on our first mission to Haiti, we all had a level of Faith in ourselves, our fellow mission members, and ultimately in God.
All of those would be tested!
I, personally was not a very religious or faith-filled person until I met my wife.  She bestowed on me the importance of not only belief in God, but to have Faith in Him as the Ultimate Provider.  Without her, I would never have been able to ever think about joining this Mission Team.
As we bounced up that mountain on our first trip, I prayed and prayed like I had never done before.  We were a million miles away from our families, friends, and life as we knew it.
My Faith in God grew with each passing , agonizing mile.  I prayed to God and had Faith that He would get me back home so I could "kill" my little brother for getting me into this.  I truly believed I would never see my wife, children, friends or family ever again.  My Faith was being tested!!!
When we arrived safely at the jobsite my attitude changed and my Faith took a huge leap!  I knew why God had sent me here.
Here were people; -- Dads, Moms, and Kids who wanted nothing more than a chance to better themselves.  They are poor!! though I doubt any of them would use that word to describe themselves.  I knew God sent me there to give myself to these people.
The people came and worked, knowing they would not be paid.  They took time away from their farmng and their families to try to do something to make a difference for themselves, their children, and their decendants forever.
God inspires many prople to do things.  It is Faith that allows people to continue to do those things.  It is Faith, that forms the bond between man and God!
On our return trip home from that first trip I was talking to a fellow team member (who has been on several trips since).
He asked me:? "why did you come on this trip?"
I looked at him and said: "Because God told me to."
He said; "I wish something like that would happen to me!"
I didn't say it then, but I thought to myself -- "It already has or you wouldn't be here."
That's Faith, --  and he didn't even realize it.
But that how God works.  Some times he burns that Faith into your heart like a branding iron and sometimes he just lets it simmer.
It doesn't really matter because it works either way.  God never gives you more than you can handle, and thats what Faith is all about.