Providence, Facebook, and oh the Negativity

Webster's defines "providence" as n 1 often cap : divine guidance or care 2 cap : GOD 1 3 the quality or state or being provident.

I love and hate Facebook. I think it's great to be able to get and maintain being in touch with so many people all over the world, from past and present - but I hate the privacy games they play.

That being said, the part I love is that we find so many great people on it. We recently found an old high school classmate of Tony's on Facebook. Turns out she lives in Patagonia now. Bariloche to be exact. She has lived there for the past 14 years.

Providence.

We asked her for her number and called her. The connection made it obvious how far away she really was. We (mostly Tony) talked to her for hours. After catching up and reminiscing a bit, she told us all about living in Patagonia (at least her corner of it). Everything we wanted to know and expected to get on a trip down there to check it out, she told us firsthand: the cost of living, rent, food, utilities, transportation, people, weather, you name it, she knew it. After filling us in, she then offered to help us in anything we would need.

What is also interesting is that she is a lawyer. This is extremely helpful - to have a friend who also knows the law of the land - if we are to ever work with street kids or orphans, for example (people helping kids sometimes get falsely accused, misunderstood, or entangled in legalities, etc.), or have any kind of ministry that requires knowledge of the law. Even though the law is, er, a fickle thing in Argentina, subject to change and questionably enforced - it is reassuring nonetheless to have such a great connection.

That wonderful news being said, it's not all roses. I had someone recently look me right in the eye and say (as our friend told us would happen), "I can't give you money for this. So don't ask.".

Uh, we didn't? And haven't. So lovely. The negativity is just always going to be there, I guess. I just wish people would keep it to themselves. It doesn't help. And it doesn't change what God is asking us to do. So, trying very hard to ignore it. It never ceases to amaze me, though, the people who just don't care about doing good. Or missions. Or other people. Or helping anyone. How selfish we are, indeed. We truly do need to be saved. Saved from ourselves.

Nonetheless, God is faithful and good to encourage. There are lone voices out there that encourage us not to give up. Never give up. Keep plowing ahead. Keep pushing forward. It may take a while, but, with God's help, we'll get there.

Following Christ isn't easy. No one ever said it would be. All noble things are difficult.


"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." John 10:4


:)