Turning the coffee pot on, I head to my desk to check emails, read devotionals, and check on a few people.  The words on my calendar catch my eye:

“He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows.” (Isaiah 30:23)

And I breathe out the words, “Oh let it be so, Lord!”

But the prayer was not for myself. It was for the lives of people whom I have not met face to face, but whose hearts are joined by God, by His love for His people.

When I joined The Lulu Tree, I could not have imagined the way in which my thoughts would be consumed by the people. The women consist of widows and teen moms often unable to provide for themselves, never mind their young. The beautiful children have known no other way of life but hard.

The Lulu Tree provides meals – monthly – for the children, the crowd of children growing each month. But how far can one meal truly extend?

The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, shows us to make a change. We are not to provide monthly subsidies to the women for basics. We are to transition these subsidies so that they become seeds.

The seeds will burst forth with sustainability.

And hope of a future …

“For I know the plans I have for your,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

With our purchase of land, the plan begins to grow and come to life. We are to have community gardens which will be overseen by the village pastors and tended by all.

The plan grows to include cows to provide milk for the women and children. And laying chickens for eggs and protein.

We have been praying for God to open doors and hearts to believe along with us.

Later in the day, the email notice comes of a donation specifically earmarked for “A dairy cow”.

Another comes along a bit later, for the Bethel Home in Sierra Leone, specifically for trees, laying hens, seeds, and beds. On the donation a quote is shared:

“No one has ever become poor by giving” – Anne Frank

Our mouths are dropped open at the amazing faithfulness of our God. He sees. He has not forgotten.

And the reminder comes …

His eye is on each one of His own. He sees every one of us in our plight. He hears our cries for help, for provision, and for hope. He is our Provider. He is our Hope. In Him alone will we trust.

And in Him will we boast.

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:1-3, NLT)

*  To read more about sustainability, please read this post written by founder, Emily Wierenga. You can also follow The Lulu Tree on Facebook and Twitter .

Today I am joining … #ChasingCommunity and Tune In Thursday and Salt & Light and Porch Stories and TrekkingThru the Week and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman .