I think we can all agree that this is an interesting time in our nation’s history on several fronts. This past weekend I was in Portland, Oregon speaking at a friend’s church. While praying in my hotel one morning I came across these verses in Psalms:

Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.

You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety.

Many people, even Christians, are living in fear because of the economy, the markets, and all the pessimism we hear from the media. Praise the Lord we are God’s children and in His secure arms we can sleep in peace!

I am so blessed that, in spite of these challenging economic times, God continues to bless Eternity Minded Ministries. As we see the resources come in for our upcoming ministry in Rwanda, I want to thank you for your faithful prayers and support. The Lord knows that it is our desire to share His salvation to the world by helping others in need.

Just recently I had someone ask me about the humanitarian work we will be doing in Rwanda this November. As you probably know, we want to provide a minimum of 4,000 pairs of reading glasses and give medical insurance to a minimum of 7,000 people. This person asked why the insurance was so important and if it was really going to accomplish that much.

At the risk of sounding like I am changing subject matter, let me explain one huge benefit of the insurance that the pastors of Rwanda have asked us to help with. Do you remember the story of the unmerciful servant that Jesus told in Matthew 18:21-35? Jesus tells of a man who was forgiven a great debt; yet afterwards he would not forgive a small debt that was owed to him. As the story goes, when the man who had forgiven the great debt found out that his debtor would not forgive another of a small debt, he had him thrown into prison. That prison is known as a debtor’s prison.

Our country utilized debtor’s prisons until about 1833 when the federal government did away with them. In this modern era it seems strange to us that a person could be put in prison because he owed money. People as famous as Charles Goodyear and Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence and financed much of the Revolutionary War, found themselves in debtor’s prison for a period of time.

Today in many places in the world, people still go to prison for owing money. I have personally spoken in many prisons such as this in Africa. In Burundi, Africa where I spoke to hundreds of inmates, there were murderers incarcerated with those who could not pay their medical bills.

This brings us back to the insurance. For only two dollars per person, or less than a cup of coffee, we can provide insurance for medical services in Rwamagana, Rwanda for an entire year. That’s less than 17 cents per month! This means that for one year an individual can get medical evaluations and treatments as well as emergency services for almost no cost. This also allows people the luxury of getting ailments treated that they have put off because of a lack of funds.

This insurance will keep them out of debtor’s prison! Many people in Rwanda have medical emergencies just like we do and they are rushed to the hospital. When they have no insurance they are responsible for the entire bill and if they cannot pay it, they are put in prison. My friend, this happens all the time. The insurance that we want to provide has the potential of keeping 7,000 people out of prison. Believe me, you would not want to be in one of those prisons.

I am so grateful for the many people who have given generously for the gift of glasses. Now I want to stress giving the gift of medical care for these needy people in Rwanda. Personally, I cannot imagine life without medical insurance. This is such a worthy and affordable project that my family and I will also be contributing towards this great need.

As we read a moment ago, many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” I can joyfully proclaim that the Lord is showing us much good! He is so faithful and we are thrilled to be serving Him in Rwanda in November. Thank you for standing with us, even in these tight times, so that we can help others in need. Our economic strain here in the States pales in comparison to the situation we are dealing with in Rwanda! Please help if you can and may the Lord bless you and build your faith.

With Eternity in Mind,