YES and NO...unfortunately

At the Oasis, one of the ways we show Christ's love is giving away clothes. It is great to be able to give to so many people who are in need. We are able to give, because so many Austrians give clothes to the Oasis for the refugees. Lately on Women's and Kids Clothing days, we give to as many as 40 ladies and 30 kids. On the last couple Men's Clothing days, we gave clothes to about 150 men. There is certainly a joy in giving. But the giving can be contrasted with something else we must do: Many more times now, we must say no.

We have a large supply of Women's and Kid's Clothing and yet there are not that many Women and Kids who need clothes. The Austrian Refugee Camp just up the street from the Oasis, has as many as 1,000 refugees now, and most of them are men. IF ONLY HALF were men, it would be a problem for us. Likely it is many more than 500 and we cannot even give clothes to 200 men in one day, even if we had the clothes for that many. Our supply of men’s clothes is often quiet low.

On the Men's Clothing day in recent times, we have to say NO to as many as 50 or more guys—they want and need clothes, but we cannot give them clothes. We know of some who do not come to get clothes because the crowd is always so huge and often the crowd pushes to get in to the Oasis (also a recent serious problem). In recent months, many times the men do not take NO for the final answer. They ask and ask and ask. So, while we are saying YES to as many as 160, we have to say no to as many as 50 on that same day. This is not easy when you see the needs.

Is it possible to lovingly say NO to a person? Yes. Will the person feel the love? Maybe not. Does this make the giving difficult? Yes. We remind ourselves from time to time that our purpose is to show Christ’s love, even when we cannot meet all the needs refugees have. And certainly we cannot meet all the needs refugees have. Only God can.

Please pray for us for the times we get to say YES
and especially for those times when we must say NO.

Thank you.
Dan Lincoln