Listening to God’s call

“Only God can fully satisfy the hungry heart of man.”

-- Hugh Black

I looked odd Tuesday morning sitting in the back of a room filled

with nicely-dressed women. I wasn’t one of them. To make my meeting

on time, I went in jogging clothes. I felt God wanted me to hear the

guest speaker, and I believe God cares more about my heart than my

hair.

I received some quizzical looks, and one friend said, “I’m so

proud of you for coming here like that.”

“Do I really look that bad?” I asked.

She smiled, hugged me and said, “I’m really proud of you.”

I must have looked even stranger, because I repeatedly caught

myself hunched over with my mouth wide open. I then quickly sat up

straight and closed my mouth. But what I saw and heard was incredibly

hard to believe was real.

But it was and is very real.

The short version of a 50-year story is that a 13-year-old New

Zealand girl named Colleen Redit heard a speaker from India at a

church camp. At the end of the talk, the speaker said, “Who knows,

someday God might call one of you to India, and if so, I wonder if

you will answer that call.”

“I bowed my head and said that I would,” Colleen explained.

When Colleen was 23, she felt God made it clear to her that it was

time to go to India. Miraculously somebody offered to provide boat

fare.

“I stepped out in faith. I didn’t know how I’d survive, what I’d

do,” Colleen said humbly. “When I left for India I had no money, only

a call from God.”

Dr. Colleen Redit then shared some of what has happened as she’s

obediently followed God’s leading, and how he faithfully provides for

every need, many of which seem impossible. We watched a gripping

video, Colleen answered questions, and several friends who have

worked with her in India spoke of their experiences.

From starting with no funds, no support and no home, her humble

beginning has developed into a large organization with more than 250

people working full time, helping approximately 2,000 people daily.

There are now 22 different ministries for the poor, feeding their

hungry bodies as well as their hungry hearts. These include a school

for 700 children who live in the slums, an orphanage for 200

children, educational and vocational training units, a leprosy

rehabilitation center, soup kitchens in three slums, a 24-hour

hospital, sponsorship programs and more.

Sponsorship means that for the cost of a meal out, we can support

a poor child for a month with food, education, medical help,

uniforms, counseling and training. Many of us already sponsor

children and others decided that it would be a perfect thing to do as

a family or a meaningful gift to give at the holidays.

We can never underestimate what God can do through any of us who

listen and obey. Perhaps God is calling one of us right now to become

involved in this or another worthwhile organization, either

prayerfully or financially. How will we answer that call?

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.