Today I got to go with some friends from church to the downtown Dallas area to feed the homeless. We brought them sandwiches and got to talk to them and reach out to them. It was ... just as when I got to go before ... a pretty amazing experience.

I am really struck by how incredibly grateful they are for even something as small as a sandwich. It is a privilege to get to reach out to them in that small way ... and I pray the Lord uses our small, caring gestures to show them His love.

We got to talk to the sweetest man who is already a believer in Christ, but just mainly needing our encouragement, challenges from the Scripture and prayers. I so much enjoyed getting to talk to him ... and have been touched by the joy that I see in those believers that I meet in the homeless areas. Even in their incredible poverty, they are so often full of gratitude and joy in the Lord. Wow.

It reminds me of Gretcha, the dear woman I met in a North Indian slum. She lived in utter squalor ... in a cluster of makeshift "tents" made of sticks, tarp or whatever else people could find ... and surrounded by garbage and filth. Yet she bubbled over with uncontainable joy as she ran to us, grabbed each of our hands in both of hers and said, "Jai Ma Siki". (Praise to Christ in her language!)

And to think that my life ... and the lives of GFA donors and supporters here in the West ... has made a difference in HER life all the way on the other side of the world. She is a believer in a GFA church that meets in her slum area. It boggles my mind ... and I feel so unworthy in a way ... yet so grateful.

Wow ... how refreshing and encouraging to be reminded ... whether through Gretcha or the people of downtown Dallas ... of the joy we can always have in Jesus.