KIT Blog

by Steve Meredith

God’s abundance through your prayers.

Steve Meredith reflects on the blessings of the past and the urgency needed for the future.

The recent years in the life of the mission have been extraordinary. International current affairs and health events have truly tested the capabilities of our organisation on a regular basis.

We have been truly blessed with God’s provision and guidance during this period. 

Those in positions of management and governance have felt the power of prayer in helping to sustain and guide decision making at times of great need.

I’m reminded of the term used by Billy Graham that prayer is our ‘faith strengthener’. That is the most important spiritual exercise that a Christian can have. Jesus seems to have devoted Himself especially to prayer at times when His life was full of work and excitement. The bible reminds us to pray at all seasons (Ephesians 6:18). A big thank you to our prayer partners!

My term as TLMA board chair draws to a close, along with my service to the board. I want to praise God for the amazing group of people that sustain the organisation across so many valuable roles. Donors, volunteers, churches, members of the National Council, management or the board itself - God bless you all.

I feel truly blessed and privileged to have been given the opportunity to represent the organisation and help build a small part of its future as it moves to eliminate leprosy in our lifetime.

I believe God has given us everything we need to fulfil our mission. We have been blessed with an ‘abundance’ of financial resources during a time when many other organisations have suffered. However, it remains a world where leprosy still exists in many communities. Individuals and families still face significant loss of hope as they deal with the disease, its stigma and disability.

This is our biggest operational challenge - to move with urgency! Keep stretching our efforts to eliminate leprosy. Make sure the financial resources entrusted to us have reached the ‘front line’ in a timely way. Aggressively combat leprosy transmission. Scripture says, ‘While it is day let us work because the night is coming’ (John 9:4).

I am a keen student of world history and that of the United States. George W Bush’s Inaugural address delivered on Friday January 20th, 1989, still resounds today.

"And so, there is much to do; and tomorrow the work begins. I do not mistrust the future; I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger. Our challenges are great, but our will is greater. And if our flaws are endless, God’s love is truly boundless."

Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance. There are many competing priorities across multiple geographies. We grapple with investment decisions relating to the research and operational needs of the mission. In many situations we need to coach others how to make effective and responsible financial decisions as responsible stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

My prayer is that we take heed of the example of the Apostle Paul in the passage Ephesians 3:14-21. We are encouraged to comprehend the love of God (3:14,18), experience the love of Christ (3:19) and be filled with God (3:19). God will continue to do ‘exceedingly abundantly’ above all we ask or think.