today on the matatu
Riding on a matatu is always an adventure. Actually, I firmly believe that riding a couple hours on a matatu helps you understand what sardines must feel like when they're stuffed into cans (if they were alive before they were stuffed that is...). Today on our way to Eldoret, my lips were an inch away from unwillingly kissing a Kenyan on the cheek...but I guess it could've been worse, since on the way back to Kapsowar I was inches away from kissing 4 cheeks with my lips...and these cheeks weren't of the face variety either.
mzungu...mzungu...Jesus?
If you're white and in rural Kenya, you most likely will hear children shouting 'mzungu' while you walk down the dirt pathways. I heard it many times on different occasions today. But lately, I've been hearing something I hadn't heard before; and I have heard it several times by several different people. I'm not sure if the wind is blowing my hair differently on these particular days, but I've been getting told that I look like Jesus...how do you respond to that?
obwati nee okwek agobo Kristo? (what do you think of the Christ?)
the 'TO BE CONTINUED' from my last post...
We will live our lives according to how we answer the above question. (Disclaimer: friends, much of what I'm about to write is more aimed at my brothers and sisters in Christ, but feel free to listen in).
Riding on a matatu is always an adventure. Actually, I firmly believe that riding a couple hours on a matatu helps you understand what sardines must feel like when they're stuffed into cans (if they were alive before they were stuffed that is...). Today on our way to Eldoret, my lips were an inch away from unwillingly kissing a Kenyan on the cheek...but I guess it could've been worse, since on the way back to Kapsowar I was inches away from kissing 4 cheeks with my lips...and these cheeks weren't of the face variety either.
mzungu...mzungu...Jesus?
If you're white and in rural Kenya, you most likely will hear children shouting 'mzungu' while you walk down the dirt pathways. I heard it many times on different occasions today. But lately, I've been hearing something I hadn't heard before; and I have heard it several times by several different people. I'm not sure if the wind is blowing my hair differently on these particular days, but I've been getting told that I look like Jesus...how do you respond to that?
obwati nee okwek agobo Kristo? (what do you think of the Christ?)
the 'TO BE CONTINUED' from my last post...
We will live our lives according to how we answer the above question. (Disclaimer: friends, much of what I'm about to write is more aimed at my brothers and sisters in Christ, but feel free to listen in).
Is Christ your source of comfort? I hope so, since we are told that nothing in all the world can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). We can hang on to these words for comfort. But do we ignore the fact that Christ, the apostles and the disciples suffered MUCH for their faith (Philippians 3:10); and it is for this reason this comfort that we speak of is so vital? Yes, Christ is our comfort...but He is our Comfort BECAUSE as believers we will suffer much (Psalm 34:19). Safety or comfort should NEVER be a determining factor in how we decide to live out our lives (but in reality, are they not our main determining factors?). Just as Paul pressed forward despite unbelievable HARDSHIPS (Acts 20:23-24), we also must press forward despite HARDSHIPS and avoid the temptation to live out our lives solely by avoiding and running away from troubles...and running away from others who are in trouble!!!
Do we even know what 'enduring' means (2Tim2:3, 10)...or are we the type of people to quickly quote John 10:10 and Romans 8:37 while omitting what is found in the surrounding passages of John 12:25/Luke14:26 and Romans 8:36? Do we quote 2Corinthians 1:4 and sip back a Tim Horton's coffee as we debate whether or not the pastor should wear a suit and tie when preaching...ALL THE WHILE completely FORGETTING to discuss how we'll take action on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters...ahhh, how we so easily forget the verse that says, 'for as we share ABUNDANTLY in Christ's sufferings, so we share ABUNDANTLY in comfort too'. YES, sharing in others' sufferings will be UNcomfortable and may take you to places that make you feel sooo out of your comfort zone, but it is for those times (and those lives) that we memorize and meditate on verses like Romans 8:38-39.
Why do I say all this...? Well, it's because this is what's on my heart; this is what has been put on my mind and soul even MORE since coming to Kenya. I guess my main point is this: the disparity between the rich and poor is unbelievable and the way we 'do church' is whoring Jesus' bride. We are simply not doing what the church was called to do...
If you don't want to read anymore, then don't, that's OK. I won't know. ;-).
i'm not going for the warm and fuzzies...but for TRUTH and LOVE
I could sit down and write you a post of my time in Kenya that'll make you smile, laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy...and I could write you a post that'll never never make you question...reconsider...and take action against the disparity between the oppressed and the good life. But you see, if I did that, I'd be writing you the most unloving post. I'd be feeding my friends and family (you guys!) the same message that many of the Canadian medias and the churches have been feeding you already; and it's something they've been feeding us for way too long. I care for LOVE...I care for JESUS.
no love without Jesus, therefore no blog without Jesus
Friends, I write this blog to you out of love. My motivation is LOVE...and this LOVE can only be described in the context of JESUS. I know many of you don't quite understand that; and I know some more of you have been frustrated that I continuously bring my Saviour to the forefront of this blog (and in these conversations)...but if you want any of me in your life, you will most definitely also be getting Him! His grace gives me every minute of every day and I will do my best to give every minute to Him. He is ALIVE and He is REAL!
Brothers and sisters, if my words come across as harsh, know that they are harsh words motivated by Christ and from nothing other than the LOVE of Jesus. Something I've been realizing and accepting more and more is that I'm not on this planet to be friends with everyone but rather, I'm on this planet to be loving and show more of Jesus to everyone. Often times I do an awful job of showing Jesus and for that, I am sorry. I know I fail much. I have to daily turn to God for forgiveness and for His correction. He is good.
how can we help?
What the poor need is training, is opportunities, is relationships...is it easy? Definitely not, but it's what must be done. A book by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert says it better than I ever could: When Helping Hurt: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor...and yourself. This book was given to me by Africa Inland Mission and has really changed my view on giving...not only here in Kenya but also when I return home and continue the fight against the poverty and the forgotten in our very own backyard of Canada. What's the solution to poverty?... I don't know... I'm not sure any of us really do. But maybe this book can shed some light. You don't have to agree with everything in the book and it probably won't be the most exciting thing you've read since Jurassic Park...but at least it'll get you thinking about how to truly HELP THE POOR! And as we should all know, helping is more than just mindlessly going on a 2week mission trip to Africa or handing out 'freebies' to the poor currently littering downtown Toronto; it's NOT about doing things to help us feel better about ourselves. It's about ACTUALLY helping! We must train, provide opportunities and build relationships!
we are not freed from helping, but we are freed TO HELP
Think Romans 12 frees you from giving generously and helping the poor...think that giving to the poor isn't the 'gift' you've been given? (Once again, I write this because these are not moot points...I have heard these things...often...in our churches...shamefully...I've heard it said so much in our churches!!!) Think you can't 'afford' to give to the poor? If you're reading this in North America, think again! Don't stop reading Romans 12 once you get to verse 8...but rather, continue reading and see what Paul has to say in the following verses from 9 to 21. You'll find out we are to ASSOCIATE with the lowly, and WEEP with those who weep and SEEK to show hospitality...to OVERCOME EVIL with good. This might mean you forgo some 'rights' and 'luxuries' and start getting more INVOLVED! Disagree with me, but here is a quote from the book I mentioned above that I don't think anyone could disagree with:
Intrigued? Spend a good $15 and buy the book...mark it up...learn...DO SOMETHING! Church, brothers and sisters, we gotta start WAKING UP (and then start waking up others)!!!
2 Samuel 24:24, 1 John 3:16-18,
...whether old or new testament, these passages (among the other hundreds of other passages) speak for themselves...do we really understand Christianity? Are we doing it right? Seriously, are we getting it...are we getting HIS message??? I don't think we are. There's a reason we are suppose to COUNT THE COST before we join...(Luke14:28)...
are we missing something?
Do you...do I... even UNDERSTAND that we have brothers and sisters that meditate on Matthew6:11 with the mindset that they may not eat for days, or worse yet, that they might not make it through the night due to starvation??? Orrrr are we too me-focused with our 'house/car-problems' and the abundant wealth in North America...?
John 11:35 shouldn't just be brought up for trivial sake in highlighting the shortest verse of the Bible but it should and MUST be brought up because Jesus JOINED His friends and brothers with heartfelt sorrow. We must mourn with our brothers and sisters who are suffering and hurting just like Jesus did; this isn't a sign of lack of faith but rather honest sorrow with the knowledge that suffering/death is a result of sin... BUT REMEMBER: joy can follow if death is followed with the knowledge of hope (1Thess.4:13). Ahhh, it's so beautiful. But brother and sisters, I'm sharing this because we MUST weep more with those who are weeping (Rom 12:15) and we MUST help (more) those brothers and sisters who are suffering.
feeling a tad uncomfortable?
Do we even know what 'enduring' means (2Tim2:3, 10)...or are we the type of people to quickly quote John 10:10 and Romans 8:37 while omitting what is found in the surrounding passages of John 12:25/Luke14:26 and Romans 8:36? Do we quote 2Corinthians 1:4 and sip back a Tim Horton's coffee as we debate whether or not the pastor should wear a suit and tie when preaching...ALL THE WHILE completely FORGETTING to discuss how we'll take action on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters...ahhh, how we so easily forget the verse that says, 'for as we share ABUNDANTLY in Christ's sufferings, so we share ABUNDANTLY in comfort too'. YES, sharing in others' sufferings will be UNcomfortable and may take you to places that make you feel sooo out of your comfort zone, but it is for those times (and those lives) that we memorize and meditate on verses like Romans 8:38-39.
Why do I say all this...? Well, it's because this is what's on my heart; this is what has been put on my mind and soul even MORE since coming to Kenya. I guess my main point is this: the disparity between the rich and poor is unbelievable and the way we 'do church' is whoring Jesus' bride. We are simply not doing what the church was called to do...
If you don't want to read anymore, then don't, that's OK. I won't know. ;-).
i'm not going for the warm and fuzzies...but for TRUTH and LOVE
I could sit down and write you a post of my time in Kenya that'll make you smile, laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy...and I could write you a post that'll never never make you question...reconsider...and take action against the disparity between the oppressed and the good life. But you see, if I did that, I'd be writing you the most unloving post. I'd be feeding my friends and family (you guys!) the same message that many of the Canadian medias and the churches have been feeding you already; and it's something they've been feeding us for way too long. I care for LOVE...I care for JESUS.
no love without Jesus, therefore no blog without Jesus
Friends, I write this blog to you out of love. My motivation is LOVE...and this LOVE can only be described in the context of JESUS. I know many of you don't quite understand that; and I know some more of you have been frustrated that I continuously bring my Saviour to the forefront of this blog (and in these conversations)...but if you want any of me in your life, you will most definitely also be getting Him! His grace gives me every minute of every day and I will do my best to give every minute to Him. He is ALIVE and He is REAL!
Brothers and sisters, if my words come across as harsh, know that they are harsh words motivated by Christ and from nothing other than the LOVE of Jesus. Something I've been realizing and accepting more and more is that I'm not on this planet to be friends with everyone but rather, I'm on this planet to be loving and show more of Jesus to everyone. Often times I do an awful job of showing Jesus and for that, I am sorry. I know I fail much. I have to daily turn to God for forgiveness and for His correction. He is good.
how can we help?
What the poor need is training, is opportunities, is relationships...is it easy? Definitely not, but it's what must be done. A book by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert says it better than I ever could: When Helping Hurt: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor...and yourself. This book was given to me by Africa Inland Mission and has really changed my view on giving...not only here in Kenya but also when I return home and continue the fight against the poverty and the forgotten in our very own backyard of Canada. What's the solution to poverty?... I don't know... I'm not sure any of us really do. But maybe this book can shed some light. You don't have to agree with everything in the book and it probably won't be the most exciting thing you've read since Jurassic Park...but at least it'll get you thinking about how to truly HELP THE POOR! And as we should all know, helping is more than just mindlessly going on a 2week mission trip to Africa or handing out 'freebies' to the poor currently littering downtown Toronto; it's NOT about doing things to help us feel better about ourselves. It's about ACTUALLY helping! We must train, provide opportunities and build relationships!
we are not freed from helping, but we are freed TO HELP
Think Romans 12 frees you from giving generously and helping the poor...think that giving to the poor isn't the 'gift' you've been given? (Once again, I write this because these are not moot points...I have heard these things...often...in our churches...shamefully...I've heard it said so much in our churches!!!) Think you can't 'afford' to give to the poor? If you're reading this in North America, think again! Don't stop reading Romans 12 once you get to verse 8...but rather, continue reading and see what Paul has to say in the following verses from 9 to 21. You'll find out we are to ASSOCIATE with the lowly, and WEEP with those who weep and SEEK to show hospitality...to OVERCOME EVIL with good. This might mean you forgo some 'rights' and 'luxuries' and start getting more INVOLVED! Disagree with me, but here is a quote from the book I mentioned above that I don't think anyone could disagree with:
North Americans Christians are simply not doing enough. We are the richest people ever to walk the face of the earth. Period. Yet, most of us live as though there is nothing terribly wrong in the world. We attend our kids cover games, pursue our careers, and take beach vacations while 40% of the world's inhabitants struggle just to eat every day...We do not necessarily need to feel guilty about our wealth. But we do need to get up every morning with a deep sense that something is terrible wrong with the world and YEARN and STRIVE to do something about it (yes, i added the emphasis). There is simply not enough yearning and striving going on.
Second, many observers...believe that when North American Christians do attempt to alleviate poverty, the methods used often do considerable harm to both the materially poor and the materially non-poor. Our concerns is not just that these methods are wasting human, spiritual, financial and organization resources but that these methods are actually exacerbating the very problems they are trying to solve. Fortunately, there is hope, because God is at work...
Intrigued? Spend a good $15 and buy the book...mark it up...learn...DO SOMETHING! Church, brothers and sisters, we gotta start WAKING UP (and then start waking up others)!!!
2 Samuel 24:24, 1 John 3:16-18,
...whether old or new testament, these passages (among the other hundreds of other passages) speak for themselves...do we really understand Christianity? Are we doing it right? Seriously, are we getting it...are we getting HIS message??? I don't think we are. There's a reason we are suppose to COUNT THE COST before we join...(Luke14:28)...
are we missing something?
Do you...do I... even UNDERSTAND that we have brothers and sisters that meditate on Matthew6:11 with the mindset that they may not eat for days, or worse yet, that they might not make it through the night due to starvation??? Orrrr are we too me-focused with our 'house/car-problems' and the abundant wealth in North America...?
John 11:35 shouldn't just be brought up for trivial sake in highlighting the shortest verse of the Bible but it should and MUST be brought up because Jesus JOINED His friends and brothers with heartfelt sorrow. We must mourn with our brothers and sisters who are suffering and hurting just like Jesus did; this isn't a sign of lack of faith but rather honest sorrow with the knowledge that suffering/death is a result of sin... BUT REMEMBER: joy can follow if death is followed with the knowledge of hope (1Thess.4:13). Ahhh, it's so beautiful. But brother and sisters, I'm sharing this because we MUST weep more with those who are weeping (Rom 12:15) and we MUST help (more) those brothers and sisters who are suffering.
feeling a tad uncomfortable?
Luke 12:48...does this verse ever make us feel uncomfortable? I think it should. Because if you are living in Canada with the wealth, the ability and the knowledge you have in front of you, you will be held to a higher standard on the last day (Matt. 25:29, Mark 4:24-25). Thankfully, elsewhere in the Gospels, we are told we have a Helper who will forever be with us (John 14:16)...so if you're wondering if you're content in Christ (Phil 4:11) or content in your idols/wealth/health, you can get on your hands and feet tonight and pray to the living God that His mercy will reign down on you and that the Spirit will reveal more Truth to you...trust me, HE WILL (or has) reveal Truth to you if your heart is on Him. Dust off your Bible and read HIS WORDS, and I assure you if you're open to dying to yourself, God will take you where only dead people can go; afterall, that's what our LORD wants of us (1 Peter1:14-15; 23)! And it's only after you die to yourself that you can confidently and accurately quote the often misquoted verse of Phil4:13.
WAKE UP CHURCH!!!
It's not about coming to God with our desires and getting Him to answer what WE WANT. It breaks my heart that I'm writing this but I must; we are way too consumed with ourselves in Canada!!! What is it really about? It's about coming to God as empty as possible and being willing to do whatever is possible only in Him...and then after all that, it's about standing firm on the promises of God and realizing that we have been given STRENGTH to do all things God DESIRES of us (Phil4:13); not all things that we desire for ourselves.
If we read the Bible, we'd know the Biblical message is a hard one; it's not an easy one, but it's a message the gives us hope. The message is not about us...(despite what many worship songs may say)...yes, it's not about us, it's all about God!!!
WAKE UP CHURCH!!!
It's not about coming to God with our desires and getting Him to answer what WE WANT. It breaks my heart that I'm writing this but I must; we are way too consumed with ourselves in Canada!!! What is it really about? It's about coming to God as empty as possible and being willing to do whatever is possible only in Him...and then after all that, it's about standing firm on the promises of God and realizing that we have been given STRENGTH to do all things God DESIRES of us (Phil4:13); not all things that we desire for ourselves.
If we read the Bible, we'd know the Biblical message is a hard one; it's not an easy one, but it's a message the gives us hope. The message is not about us...(despite what many worship songs may say)...yes, it's not about us, it's all about God!!!
Family...jobs...money...friends...all these things can be such good things! But they can also be such evil things if they are our excuses for NOT doing what has been written out so clearly in the Bible. Brothers and sisters, please wake up. WAKE UP!!! Giving 10% of your earnings every Sunday and the occasional $5 to the poor on the streets of Toronto or Vancouver is not going to cut it on the last day. WAKE UP!!! Stop grumbling about dress codes...and musical preferences (Titus 2)...and for crying out loud, can we PLEASE stop allowing bitterness and grumblings to be the mark of the Canadian church??? WAKE UP!!! It's NOT ABOUT YOU!
--It's hard to think of others over ourselves...
---and it's hard to ask for forgiveness...
---and it's hard to ask for forgiveness...
--and it's hard not to complain about the 20year-old carpet that covers the church building's floor that is so unbelievably dirty and out of style...
--and it's hard not to think we need the MOST updated and newest technology...
--and it's hard not to gossip to lift ourselves higher...
--and it's hard not to go out every evening to a restaurant for dinner because 'we can'...
--and it's hard not to think that buying more is our right...
--and it's hard to turn to another brother or sister or enemy or stranger and be so unbelievably kind to them because WE ARE TOLD to be (and not because of some hidden agenda)...
--and it's hard...
--and it's hard...
--and it's hard...
...but it's the reality of our situation. It can't just be hard for me, can it? Do you hear me? Do you hear me? Let's support each other...support those at home and those who are away!
We must start allowing Acts 2:42-47 to be true of the church again as opposed to how we are allowing the church to be viewed/run today. It's no wonder that so many of our loved ones have turned away from Jesus...why would they follow Someone who seems so dead and not present in our churches? WAKE UP CHURCH! Stop trying to allow your popularity or your 'politically correctness' to be your motivating factor for not speaking out!
Don't let health and wealth paralyze you!!!
DIE TO YOURSELF!
That is my cry and my prayer for you all.
That is my plead for myself.
If we die to ourselves, maybe we'll be able to give hope to another...
I write not as one who has accomplished this, but one who is working out his faith(Phil. 2:12)...and trying to learn from both my own past mistakes and the mistakes I have seen in the church...please join me!!!
And for those of who have told me that they 'don't do church', don't think I'm rallying around you, because I'm not!!! ahhh, running away from the church is NOT the solution! And that is NOT what I am saying. The church is Jesus' bride and is precious to Him... unfortunately, we are becoming less beautiful and more like a whore...(Isaiah 1:21...54:5...Hosea...)...please, please...can we please wake up!?!?!
seriously, downgrade your lifestyle and give the money WISELY to the funds that are REACHING THE POOR!!!
There are so many ways to help out!
There is a fund that I can (and will later on this blog) direct you to that I can promise you is helping the poor in unimaginable ways. 100% of the money you give to this fund is getting to those people that need it most (100%!!!!!). I'm asking YOU (my friends and family) to rally around the poor and forgotten to help them out; afterall, it was GOD who put us in such blessed situations so maybe it's time we listen to what He has to say. Will you join me? With the amount of people we know, there is no reason for us to not raise some ridiculous amount of money for this fund that is sending orphaned Kenyan kids to school...and giving them some small glimmer of hope. Are you feeling protective? Coming up with EXCUSES not to give? STOP IT!!! The money is GETTING TO THE PEOPLE, it's hitting the ground and helping the people who have been given nothing in this world; so give to it!!! There are soooo many organizations out there that have overhead costs and 'administration' fees that are ridiculous...let's give but give WISELY! Let's rally around each other! This fund that is helping the 'unloveables' is constantly running dry...THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING!!! Especially in light of the riches we have in North America!!! Let's do church right (many churches ARE doing it right, but I'm scared far more are doing it wrong...)...1 John3:16-18...enough said...
One child I met at this orphanage was tied to a tree in the thick Kenyan forest and left to die there at the age of four. Thankfully, someone found the child before he died and thanks to this fund, he has a future...as do many others. Unfortunately, this fund is dry and many children are left parent-less, homeless, school-less and unloved by Christians in North America. Sounding a bit more harsh? Want to turn me off? I'm cool with that, but I'm NOT cool with us NOT doing church right! Guys, giving out money mindlessly is stupid! But I've seen it with my own eyes, this fund...this money...your money you give...100% is getting into the hands of those who need it. I know we can come up with so many excuses and one BIG one I've heard in the past is, 'is it really doing anything...is it really getting to the poor'? Yes, THIS MONEY IS!!!
I think we need a wake-up call...and a big one! Let's downgrade and I'm pretty sure we could raise thousands and thousands for this fund...are you still willing to join me?
This stuff has been on my heart, mind and soul for way too long. Many of you have heard me speak about this already, but now I'm asking you even more to step-up to the plate and do something. There are not many funds that can say 100% o the money gets to the people...can we please do this together?
I'll be posting more information later about this fund...but you could always send me a personal message me and I'll send you the needed information for this fund.
pray pray pray
As always, pray nonstop for the lives of the Kenyans. Pray that they continuously see Jesus and fall deeper and deeper in love with Him despite many of them going deeper and deeper into physical depravity...
Pray that God is my only God. Ultimately, pray that God's will is done in my life and that whatever He sees fit to do in my life is allowed to happen by me; yes, that I actually allow HIM to do as HE WISHES!
We must start allowing Acts 2:42-47 to be true of the church again as opposed to how we are allowing the church to be viewed/run today. It's no wonder that so many of our loved ones have turned away from Jesus...why would they follow Someone who seems so dead and not present in our churches? WAKE UP CHURCH! Stop trying to allow your popularity or your 'politically correctness' to be your motivating factor for not speaking out!
Don't let health and wealth paralyze you!!!
DIE TO YOURSELF!
That is my cry and my prayer for you all.
That is my plead for myself.
If we die to ourselves, maybe we'll be able to give hope to another...
I write not as one who has accomplished this, but one who is working out his faith(Phil. 2:12)...and trying to learn from both my own past mistakes and the mistakes I have seen in the church...please join me!!!
And for those of who have told me that they 'don't do church', don't think I'm rallying around you, because I'm not!!! ahhh, running away from the church is NOT the solution! And that is NOT what I am saying. The church is Jesus' bride and is precious to Him... unfortunately, we are becoming less beautiful and more like a whore...(Isaiah 1:21...54:5...Hosea...)...please, please...can we please wake up!?!?!
seriously, downgrade your lifestyle and give the money WISELY to the funds that are REACHING THE POOR!!!
There are so many ways to help out!
There is a fund that I can (and will later on this blog) direct you to that I can promise you is helping the poor in unimaginable ways. 100% of the money you give to this fund is getting to those people that need it most (100%!!!!!). I'm asking YOU (my friends and family) to rally around the poor and forgotten to help them out; afterall, it was GOD who put us in such blessed situations so maybe it's time we listen to what He has to say. Will you join me? With the amount of people we know, there is no reason for us to not raise some ridiculous amount of money for this fund that is sending orphaned Kenyan kids to school...and giving them some small glimmer of hope. Are you feeling protective? Coming up with EXCUSES not to give? STOP IT!!! The money is GETTING TO THE PEOPLE, it's hitting the ground and helping the people who have been given nothing in this world; so give to it!!! There are soooo many organizations out there that have overhead costs and 'administration' fees that are ridiculous...let's give but give WISELY! Let's rally around each other! This fund that is helping the 'unloveables' is constantly running dry...THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING!!! Especially in light of the riches we have in North America!!! Let's do church right (many churches ARE doing it right, but I'm scared far more are doing it wrong...)...1 John3:16-18...enough said...
One child I met at this orphanage was tied to a tree in the thick Kenyan forest and left to die there at the age of four. Thankfully, someone found the child before he died and thanks to this fund, he has a future...as do many others. Unfortunately, this fund is dry and many children are left parent-less, homeless, school-less and unloved by Christians in North America. Sounding a bit more harsh? Want to turn me off? I'm cool with that, but I'm NOT cool with us NOT doing church right! Guys, giving out money mindlessly is stupid! But I've seen it with my own eyes, this fund...this money...your money you give...100% is getting into the hands of those who need it. I know we can come up with so many excuses and one BIG one I've heard in the past is, 'is it really doing anything...is it really getting to the poor'? Yes, THIS MONEY IS!!!
I think we need a wake-up call...and a big one! Let's downgrade and I'm pretty sure we could raise thousands and thousands for this fund...are you still willing to join me?
This stuff has been on my heart, mind and soul for way too long. Many of you have heard me speak about this already, but now I'm asking you even more to step-up to the plate and do something. There are not many funds that can say 100% o the money gets to the people...can we please do this together?
I'll be posting more information later about this fund...but you could always send me a personal message me and I'll send you the needed information for this fund.
pray pray pray
As always, pray nonstop for the lives of the Kenyans. Pray that they continuously see Jesus and fall deeper and deeper in love with Him despite many of them going deeper and deeper into physical depravity...
Pray that God is my only God. Ultimately, pray that God's will is done in my life and that whatever He sees fit to do in my life is allowed to happen by me; yes, that I actually allow HIM to do as HE WISHES!
I truly do love you guys!
And I'm praying for many of you!
Keep me posted and we'll be lifting you up in Kapsowar!
Keep me posted and we'll be lifting you up in Kapsowar!
I'm really encouraged by your words, Lucas. Thanks for boldly speaking out about the things God has been teaching you.
ReplyDeleteLove is pointing people to Jesus, and that's what you're doing. Keep loving the way you've been loved.
And keep falling in love with Kenya. Don't stop being amazed by the things God is doing. Be grateful for the privilege he has given you to see him move the way he has.
I haven't stopped praying for you :)