Few weeks back a neighbor came to (Heidi Sivonen) me and told me about how she has to go back to work in a Day Care and leave her almost 3 year old twins…in a DayCare. She is quite positive all the time I have hung around her. She then was saying how funny it was that her washmachine broke, coffeemaker broke and now her vacuum hose is shorter because one of her girls poked a hole in it. Not only that, she lost her dad and mom to differents cancers within the last few years. To make things more interesting, she is a single mom desparate for love.
Mikko and I devised a plan to present to the local Finnish church a need in our community. They approved 300 euros to buy a new washer. Mikko, a friend and my son B then journied to a local electronical store. He told the worker it was from our church and that we were helping a local single mother get a new washer. The guy gave a discount and sent Mikko to the airport area to pick up a well made wash machine from Italy, (better than our original choice).
They arrived and Mikko called to make sure she was home. I new she had guests staying over so I called and she asked “What surprise? Tell me Heidi, what!” I explained that I new she had need of a new washer and I asked the local body of believers if they would help. She answered, “LORD GOD!” Mikko explained why we were doing this with no strings attatched. The crew set it up and now she just can’t understand why some people she does not even know (the church plant that is) would provide such a gift.
The only reason I would share this is to generate a vital ministry in sharing love. We hope more importantly that the Gospel is going forth, and that it is the national believers who are supporting this. We hope it becomes contagious, and that people come to Christ (not to get a wash machine ofcourse). Your acts of kindness does not even have to cost anything, perhaps your time!
Pray now, that she does come to Christ. There are probably so many emotions running around her mind and heart this time.
Our neighbor was so overwhelmed with her new machine, she did what most Finns would do. She made 3 pans of blueberry cake and sent them with us to the church plant the following Sunday with a card. She is forever grateful!