Beloved MUM'ers,

Can I be honest with you for a moment?   I admit it, there are moments in this ministry that I find myself wondering "What For?"

Then, I find myself saying "Lord, do I really care?" And there are some times that I find that I do not (in my flesh) care like I should.
 
But then, as I journey through the day and get beyond myself . . . it never fails that something happens.  Some event, or some circumstance, and it reminds me, once again, that they are out there and that they are very much in need.  And, when I think of them, it dawns on me once again just why we are here!
 
This morning was one of those times.  My alarm did not go off and I was late, and I was rushed, and in a bit of a frazzle.  I needed to be in Columbia by 7:15 to give a ride to a new family.  The Mom works at a local DayCare. I was wondering how I would get there on time.  And, frankly, I was wondered why I was even doing this, anyway. 

Then, in the midst of my hurry, I felt the still small voice of our Lord speak to me and this is what HE said.
 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  (James 1:27)
 
And so, I was blessed to drive along (I live about 20 miles away from where she lives) with my attitude having been slightly "adjusted".
 
She had been setting up things to get a ride with MUMs for a while and had been very persistent and finally things worked out to where we could give her the help she needed.  Then, here we are!  It is the big day, and I finally get to meet her!  By the time I got there, to say the least, I really was excited!

I get to be the first one to be offered the privilege of giving her a ride!  When I got there, it was 7:10 (thank You, Jesus!).  It's about 30 degrees outside. I honked as I pulled up to their house before I realized that they were already on the porch and ready to go!
 
They got in my van.  The little one looked at me and then got in her car seat.
 Mama was by her side. You could tell the little girl was kind of nervous and "acted out" as she was now in the presence of a stranger and in a strange
vehicle. 

  Until today, they had been walking to DayCare and to work in the cold. The car trip is only about 5 minutes from their house. However, by foot, it would take them almost forty minutes each day. The little girl is about 3 years old and Mama in her early 20's and pregnant. She is having complications and the doctors say that she may be looking at bed-rest if things don't get better soon.
 
On the way there, Mama and I tried to talk. The little one, however, demanded to be heard. I remember hearing the little one say "Mama, my Daddy lives over there." but in reality Mama said he lives about 2 hours away. Then the little girl said "Mama, I don't want another Daddy!"
 
The mother was pleasant, listened and smiled, trying to offer comfort to her daughter. As we pulled up to the DayCare where we would drop the child off, she got out of her car seat and Mama said, "Say, Thank YOU!"  The little girl came over to me and held on as tight as she could and gave me a Big Hug!
 
And Once again, I was reminded of why we are here! This is the mission field, right here at home.  Again, my thoughts turned to where they need to always be - off of myself and onto the needs of others.
 
As Mama and I drove to another DayCare around the corner (where she works), she said "Have you been doing this long?  I said, "Yes, I was one of those who helped pray this ministry in."  I said, "I am a full-time volunteer."  She said (and I thought this was great)!   "I used to be able to volunteer, I love to volunteer especially at nursing homes. It is kind of difficult to help, though, when you don't have a car."  And I thought, "Yes, that is true".
 
What a wonderful heart she has. She wasn't complaining at all - only speaking the truth. As I drove back to my home, joy overtook me . . . you know, for the little things . . .  like my van which I can use to get to where I need to go and to help others, for the beautiful clouds above me, for my family, for my friends, for the ability to speak and to do . . . . . for our Lord, Who has given all these blessings. 
 
And, let me be honest with you again . . . I was especially thankful for MUMs, because MUMs offers me and many others this great opportunity to go out onto the mission field each day to help others. Today, maybe you are like I was, just needing a reminder of "Why am I here?"   In answer to that question, I pray that you will be blessed, today, with the opportunity to help someone!
 
I want to say a special note of thanks to our faithful drivers! What a great blessing each of you are!
 
For our contributors . . . . without you we would not be able to continue GOING OUT!
 
And also for those in the hidden ministry of praying for MUMs! As I have said before, those prayers are the foundation of Maury United and always have been. This ministry was founded on the prayers of so many!
 
Thank you for listening and know today, dear reader that I am praying for YOU!
 
With deepest gratitude,
Sheila Lucas
Volunteer Coordinator - Maury United Ministries