The week before Christmas, I witnessed two miracles in two of my favorite ministry organizations.  The first one was a “little” miracle right in front of me; the second was a “big” miracle on the other side of the world.

Every year, Help One Child prepares a wonderful Christmas party for about 300 foster children and families, including dinner, drama, music, games, and gifts.  I was helping in the kitchen when we heard we were unexpectedly almost out of forks, and only half the crowd had been served.  Minutes later, a second-shift volunteer came into the kitchen; we recognized each other from church and introduced ourselves.  “I’m a few minutes early, but what can I do to help?” she asked.  “We’re pretty much on top of everything right now, unless you have some forks in your car.”  I certainly didn’t expect her to have any, but she replied, “I might; let me check.”  She happened to have a Costco-sized box of cutlery in her car that she gladly shared just as the last handful of forks were being passed out.  What a gift!

Before I went to that dinner, I’d read a blog post from Make Way Partners.  The blog had been reporting on the progress of one of their indigenous leaders, Francis, as he made his way into and across the war-torn country of Sudan with a truck of urgently needed supplies headed towards the orphans in the Nuba Mountains.  After negotiating many roadblocks and armed groups, Francis and his fellow drivers had just been taken captive, held for ransom, and the truck confiscated.  http://www.makewaypartners.org/francis-taken-captive/

The next morning, the blog reported that Francis, the other drivers, and the truck had been released without ransom payment.  That was a huge miracle!  http://www.makewaypartners.org/francis-on-the-road-again-and-us-takes-fire-in-sudan/

During the following weeks as I enjoyed Christmas and vacation with my family, I kept reflecting on this.  I am grateful for the miracles, but at the same time, I am aware that so many of those foster children were not enjoying Christmas with their own families.  Their needs continue.  Across the globe in Sudan, the violence escalates.  Francis and the supplies are temporarily safe but have not made it to the orphans, more children are orphaned every day, and the fabric of that country continues to be torn.

What do I do with that?  I can’t fix either of those realities, but I can respond to God’s calling to care, to pray, and to ask Him what role, if any, He wants me to play.  And I can praise Him for the mercies He shows, in big and small ways, and trust that He is sovereign.