Giving to the poor or Giving from God

I am very excited about this class and have great expectations! (No pressure Anna.) In 2004 Helen and I began working with orphans in China. These experiences have really tested my faith, my thinking, and my view of the world from the kingdom. Let me share an experience.

Last year I visited an orphanage in China and met with its leaders and the government officials who operate it. This is a really sad place, a collection point for society's unwanted. This is one of 30 sad places I visit. While I am there, I can control my emotions. In the quiet places, however, I have wept uncontrollably. One year a flight attendant on the trip home asked if I needed help after seeing a grown man cry for hours.

During my visit last year the struggle reached its apex. After visiting this place every year for six years very little has seemed to change. I stood in a room and looked over so many children who were defined by the act of their parents. No less than six charities have worked at that orphanage, yet so many children still remain. We could pour every penny we raise into that orphanage and when we left, it would still be there. What would Jesus do?!

What would happen if Jesus came to that city and taught for a year? If Jesus came and taught, I am convinced that the orphanage would still be there when he left. Jesus says "the poor will always be with you" (Mark 14). In John 9, Jesus heals a man blind from birth. The disciples ask Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" and Jesus responds , "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." How does God use orphans? Like the man born blind, so that the work of God might be displayed in their lives."
My perspectives have truly changed. God will use the plight of orphans to bring glory to Himself.

Going through this week's lessons, it would be easy to feel guilty -- let me suggest to you that this week's lessons should not engender guilt but EMPOWERMENT! Who is more able to affect the earthly lives of the poor? We are, for we have been so richly equipped. No guilt is required. Responding to the plight of the poor is the effect, not the cause. The cause is God's never ending love for us that fuels our desire to please him. When we reach out in love to those in need, the work of God is shown in their lives.

Day 5: 30-hour Famine

As I sit here in my well-stocked kitchen with a full belly from lunch, I can't help but feel guilty and blessed at the same time that my children are well and fed, and that they've never known true hunger. I can't imagine living in a community where the young die at such a rapid rate, simply because they don't have any food. I think of all of the food that I've had to scrape into the garbage that didn't get eaten, and how so many would have been happy to have eaten half of what was served at that meal.

I will never forget this video I saw of some American soldiers delivering food to remote villages in some desert region of the Middle East, and how this one elderly man was hunched over sifting through a section of the sand surrounding the soldiers' vehicle, looking for and collecting the single rice grains that had fallen from the bags that were delivered. Single rice grains in the sand. That is true hunger, and I'm thankful to God for sparing me and my children from experiencing that.

If that wasn't enough, here's another sobering fact for me to think about today: 80 children died of hunger while I typed this entry. I can feel God's heart breaking for these children, and am feeling the call to action.

Day 2: Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink

I cried at this video. Despite the upbeat music, I sat and watched in horror as the people in Africa carefully scooped and SAVED each drop of the filthy, muddy, bug-infested water that they had traveld HOURS to get. My mind instantly thought, "How can I help these people?" and then the video showed Africans drilling for wells. Progress needs sustainability.

I know that this study is going to shrink God's world for me, and that already my heart aches for those in these impoverished areas. I just ask that you consider helping financially in some way some cause that God lays on your heart through this study. A share of a deep well is $100--I'm willing to give up our eating out money for that--consider ways that you can sacrifice and do what God expects of you. I'm so thankful that He spared me from that life, but I pray that He doesn't allow me to forget about those that are living it everyday.

What I Packed

Based on today's assignment I made a mental packing list:
Bible
Tennis shoes
Pants
Shirt
Jacket
Here are a few of the things I used today that I didn't pack:
Undergarments
Pajamas
Tooth brush/paste
Soap
Towel
Van with four car seats to safely transport my kids + an extra around town
Dishes
Espresso machine (twice)
Phones (land line + cell)
Computer
T.V. + DVD player
Exercise bike + gear (was riding the bike while making the list)
Dishwasher
Fridge
Freezer
Special blankies + books + the couch reading to my kids
Toys
The list goes on. Last time I did this activity I was traveling to Grandma's for Christmas. I had packed four suitcases for my kiddos and I. We left our house full of things- you couldn't even tell anything was missing. On the way to the airport I thought of a bunch of things I forgot. And we traveled to another house full or stuff, but I still "had" to stop at Walmart on the way home from the airport. And to think, I would have classified myself as un-materialistic. Hmmmmm.

Freak Out

OK, so last night as I was lying in bed I was plotting my day without water. I decided not to work out, shower before bed, brush well and cross my fingers. As I thought about this the more I became uncomfortable. Not just nervous but actually began to have a physical response. My throat was becoming dry, I felt like I was having a hard time swallowing and breathing and my heart was pounding. In the moment I was trying to not "freak out" and just go get a glass of water. I actually think I was having some kind of anxiety attack. The thought of not having water was enough to cause me to have a physical reaction of major panic and discomfort. I don't typically have panic attacks so this felt big and significant. So I reluctantly decided not to do the water challenge. However I was very aware of how accessible and how often I use water. I typically go through 3 water bottles by lunch time. Working with preschoolers I noticed the water was not only for my thirst but to recharge and start fresh... a sort of fresh slate. So water plays a huge role in my mental as well as physical health. Oh how it breaks my heart and makes me think about the anxiety and pain many have to endure through everyday without water. It's not right, nor fair. Today every time I turned on a faucet or took a drink out of my water bottle I praised God and thanked him many many many times for WATER!

Harmony

A Day Without Water

Kristen and I both participated in this day without water experiment. For the most part, we were prepared for the physical challenges. We knew that our throats would be dry, our hands would be dirty, and we couldn’t really prepare any meals. We chose to forgo our workout at the gym because we couldn’t take showers afterward. Our daily routine had to change in the absence of water.

What we weren’t prepared for was the mental aspect of this challenge. This experience led us to realize just how much we rely on water and its on-demand availability. We spent a lot of time just thinking about water. It occupied so much of our attention that we found it difficult to focus on the task at hand. Both Kristen and I noticed that we were more hungry than usual, probably because our bodies were trying to send us a message. Food didn’t sound appetizing, though. It’s much easier to go without food than to go without clean water.

Of course, we really can’t complain about this short little experience. Even though we felt the physical and mental effects of going without water, we knew that an endless supply was waiting for us at the end of the day. Overall, it was a not a fun challenge, but it was a worthwhile challenge. We prayed today that God would remind us of the mere 12 hours we spent without water in order that we do not take for granted the simple action of being able to turn on the faucet.

Is my Jesus God-sized?

Do I have to answer honestly?
Could I answer honestly?
Exodus 20, familiar because it is home of the 10 Commandments says that "when the people saw the thunder and lightening and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." I know the best friend, pocket-Jesus I have clutched close to my heart since elementary school is a dim reflection of his full self. But even with my bite-sized Jesus, I confess I have often preferred a mediator between myself and scripture. The stand-alone bible is beautiful and awesome and sometimes raw, especially in its instructions regarding my attitude towards the poor.
So, I am afraid it is true. Twenty-seven years into my life with Christ, and I suddenly realize I don't know his size. How embarrassing, when I think back to all the sweaters I have bought him for Christmas.