Not optional

It is easy to be so critical of other people, and yet ignore the fact that we are not doing what God has already given us to do. Someone once said the the Bible isn't a package of trail mix where you can pick out the pieces you don't like. We do the parts that are convenient. We are often good at judging others...that person on TV who hurt someone...yeah he is a real bad sinner. But we don't look at ourselves. Are we seeking justice for the hurting? When someone speaks up or is brave enough to tell their story...do we say..."That probably didn't happen" or "It wasn't that bad." Or "I can't relate to that." Or "I just don't want to help."

We have all heard the story of God destroying the city of Sodom...but we usually miss an important part of the story--what it was that was so bad that God would destroy an entire city. The answer may surprise you. Yes, there was sexual sin...but read Ezekiel 16:49--"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor  and needy." God sees the people that don't do anything about oppression as being just as wrong as those who are the oppressors. No I am not saying your city is going to be destroyed if you ignore those who have real needs....but I am saying that God mentions caring for the orphans...helping the poor...the oppressed...and seeking justice numerous times. What is important to Him should be important to us as well. Caring for others isn't one of those suggestions you can just throw out...the responsibility is on you...yes you. And it's on me too. 

Now please don't think I am saying what I am not saying here. Would it be nice if everyone adopted a child? Yes it would be. Is that for everyone? Definitely not. Is it for you? Pray about it. It's not just orphans that God asks us to help...it's ANYONE who is experiencing injustice. ANYONE who has been abused...that's like 40-50% of the population. We are supposed to care for the widows, the hungry...those who don't have enough clothes, money, food...etc. 

You can do what I am doing and go overseas and work among the people living in poverty there...but that isn't what everyone is called to do. If they were, America would be empty because everyone was serving elsewhere. Find a need that you are passionate about and do something about it. Do you enjoy elderly people? Volunteer at a nursing home. Do you have a heart for orphans? Adopt, foster, go help at a children's home. Do you have a heart for those who have been sexually abused? There are organizations like the International Justice Mission that are shutting down trafficking rings on a regular basis. Single mothers? Help at a pregnancy resource center. And ministry isn't boring...it's one of the most rewarding and interesting things you will ever do. If you currently have small children and aren't in a position to go or to grow your family, that's okay too. You can sponsor a child...or you can pray for a missionary. Just do something. I know it's one reality of life...Jesus you will always have the poor with you. It's impossible to end suffering completely this side of Heaven...but for that one person that you do help...or two or three...you made all the difference in the world.

How Do You Learn?

This is just a collection of fun school photos from my 2007 trip to the Philippines. I had fun coming up with some captions for them. Answering the question, "How do you learn?"

With love from a teacher

Lying down on a couch

With a sister by your side

By asking for help

By taking a rest

By concentrating hard on your letters 

By making a face with your teacher

With hugs from a frien

By playing with your pencils

By playing with a hair band 

By laughing

By resting and writing simultaneously

By examining your apple before you take a bite

By stuffing the whole apple in

By sticking your tongue out

By making a goofy face

By praying about it

A Tale of Two Kitties

So this is a humorous story that happened during my last visit to the Philippines. Keep in mind that I USUALLY love cats. The one in the picture was one of the ones I had growing up--Shadow--aka cutest cat in the universe with an equally adorable personality. We got him when I was in 4th grade. I picked his name, and he died a few years ago at the age of 20. Back to the story at hand that has nothing to do with Shadow.

I was on the computer in the guesthouse this particular evening...likely on Facebook or working on my blog. The computer was right by the front door. And I heard the sound of a crying baby right outside. Now when you are working at a children's home, and you hear a baby right outside your door...and there is a gate around the house, there are obvious reasons why that situation needs to be investigated. So I go outside, and I walk in the direction of the "crying". It is coming from under one of the vans. Why would someone abandon a baby under a vehicle? Upon closer inspection the crying sound was coming from the mouth of a CAT. There was a cat under the car, and right as I was standing there the cat made a horrible angry sound and flew out from under the car, right at another cat...and they looked like they were going to kill each other. I screamed, and went back in the house.

Now normally, a cat doesn't scare me. Neither would two cats fighting, under ordinary circumstances. I grew up with two cats and they would fight...but never like this...and when a cat jumps out from under a car and attacks another cat, and it happens when I am right by the first cat and not expecting it...that is startling. Shortly after that, a few more missionaries came home...fortunately, they did not hear the scream. I did send one of the guys outside to open the gate and let the cats out. Just another evening in the life of a missionary, where sometimes the unexpected happens and you laugh about it later.

1/5 and an update

Well, I completed the first two of at least three garage sales that I am doing to help raise support for my trip to the Philippines. I raised a little over $250. I am also selling bracelets through Threads of Hope as part of my fundraiser...so it's hard to know exactly how much was raised as I sold lots of bracelets the second day. I get to keep half the cost of each bracelet and the other half goes to provide an income for the Filipino families who make the bracelets. I am at 1/5 of the $5000 I need to go on my trip. I need to order tickets next month--which will run probably $1350-1500. I am leaving in November which gives me about 7 months to raise $4000. That really seems overwhelming, but I have to realize that God doesn't work just like I work. He likes to surprise us and teach us to trust Him. He does amazing things. Therefore, I just have to keep pursuing my trip and trust Him to provide the money. And honestly, the last 2 times I went I had maybe 4 months to raise $4000...so it's not an unrealistic goal.

Speaking of amazing things that God has done, I mentioned several posts back about a sad time during church a few weeks ago. One of the expectant moms had gone to the hospital for a stress test because she was not feeling her baby move. A couple people prayed and then during the singing at the end of the service, the wife of one of the pastors announced that the baby has a good strong heartbeat. And of course I let out a cheer. The sadness in the room had turned to joy. And today, I got to hold that little 9 day old baby boy in my arms. God is good. We serve a God who is not only alive--my pastor said today that if Jesus hadn't rose again, then our faith would be a fraud--but He gives life. And this tiny boy is proof that He still works miracles today. It's things like this that I need to look at when I am tempted to wonder if He is going to provide money for my trip. It's silly to worry about money. God will provide that in His timing. Money is a small thing in comparison to the miracle of life. Today we celebrate that Jesus lives...and also we get to see Him breathe life into people everyday. Babies are such an amazing reminder of the life that God breathes into each and every one of us. We are all here for a reason. Now go out and do something about it.

Why I Do What I Do

While there are multiple reasons why I want to start a children's home in the Philippines, there is one that ranks most important. There is an eternal aspect to ministry that cannot be ignored. That of sharing with other people...particularly the children...but anyone The Lord brings across my path...the greatest news of all--the Gospel message.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomever believes [trusts] in Him should not perish [eternal separation from God] but have everlasting life [in Heaven with God forever after you die]."

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace [free gift of God] you are saved by faith [trusting in Christ's death on the cross as enough to pay for your sins] and that not of yourselves [you can't earn it] it is the gift of God, not by works [told you you couldn't earn it] lest any man should boast."

One of the precious things I got to do was to have a Bible Study with several of the older girls. One day, I decided let's get down to the basics, so I asked them what their understanding was on the Gospel. These responses came from 4 different girls, ages 10-12. I don't remember exactly who said what...probably a good thing.

"Believe in God and buy some Bible and read it and pray to God."
"Believe in God means like you have a relationship to God. Reading His Word."
"He forgive me. He's love me and I love Him."
"If you believe Him as your personal Lord and Saviour and you buy a Bible and you read it. If you trust Him and pray."

I think I like the 4th answer the best, although buying a Bible has nothing to do with becoming a Christian. But it was good to see where they were and what they understood. When working with kids...and with anyone we start back at the beginning with Adam and Eve. They have to understand they have a sin problem before they know that they need a Savior to do something about it. They must understand it's a free gift. Available by faith and trusting that He took care of it and to stop trying to earn it. It is so fun to see kids grow in their understanding of Jesus. Talking about the most important things in life with a child is so rewarding. Seeing the wheels in their mind turning as the pieces come together and they make their own decisions to believe on Jesus.

Here are some pictures from that Bible study group.

The Joys of Boys

This post goes out to all you mommies of little boys. Or if you just need a good laugh.

If there is one thing that I have learned working with kids, it's to choose your battles carefully. Also, if they ask a question, give them an answer, even if the question is silly or gross, or asked at a less than opportune time.

I had a moment where I was at the table with one of the boys. He was 7 at the time. Now, as I recall we were either the last ones eating, or it was just the two of us. Of course he is going to pick that moment to ask the all important question of "How do you get boogers in your nose?" How to address such a...ahem...delicate subject at the table? Well, a couple possibilities. Had it been a table full of people still eating, I would have told him I would be happy to answer that after dinner, and whispered to him that other people might not want to talk about that while they are eating. However, since it was just us, I answered him. My philosophy is that if they ask a scientific question, I dignify it with a scientific answer. Even if it's a gross question--and even if he might have been asking to get a reaction. If I reprimand him for his choice of topics, he is going to keep talking about the stuff in his nose at every given opportunity. If I answer his question, well, that was the only time he ever brought it up. I told him it was the dirt that gets in our noses and collects in the hair so that we don't swallow things that will make us sick. I added that is why we should never eat "boogers" to which he of course had to inform me that one of the boys eats his. You can always count on a kid to let you know exactly who is doing something they don't need to be doing, LOL!

With all that being said, boys provide lots of hilarious parenting moments...and sometimes you really never know what they are going to say...(not that girls are exempt from that either). The key is to keep your sense of humor intact and answer their questions. Here are some photos of some of the little men I had a chance to love on...I think I am going to keep it a mystery as to exactly which little guy it was that asked the silly question. But you have to admit, these little guys are not only cute, but you can tell they are lots of fun too! And they were pretty sweet as well.

Two Steps Forward

When you want to go establish a ministry overseas, there is a lot that goes into making that happen. There are fundraisers to get there, for one. My first one is going to be a garage sale at my church this Friday and Saturday. I am asking for prayers that an abundant amount of funds are raised through this. I will keep you updated.

The other thing about establishing a ministry is knowing how to do that legally. So, whom better to ask then someone who has already done it? Today I got to "meet" a sister in Christ who has opened a children's home in the Philippines. We talked on the phone for a little while and she gave me some great feedback. I now have more of a plan of what this will look like, although I think I am going to leave most of that off this blog for now. No posting of legal stuff...if you find that interesting and wish to know more, PM me :) But I feel really encouraged knowing a little bit more of what to expect and finally having some sort of a plan...it may or may not eventually look like how I expect it to, and that will be okay...but I have a good idea...which was more than I had earlier. And having direction makes me feel like I am actually getting somewhere. Not sure this trip is going to feel real until I actually have the tickets in hand though.

Well, I am going to cut this post short. I will tell another cute story later today. So check back for a fun post in a few hours.