Servants’ Hearts around the Globe

This weekend has been enlightening, challenging, and provoking all at the same time.

 

I went to a benefit dinner for The 1010 Project, which is a non-profit organization that serves people in Kenya by helping them start their own businesses. Their efforts are concentrated on raising awareness of extreme poverty in the world. One of their partners in Kenya, Michael, is here visiting the States for the first time, and was invited to speak to the United Nations in New York!

 

At church a video was presented on a family who moved to Cambodia. A few years ago they were able to start up an orphanage and are currently raising 16 children there. These vulnerable little ones were merely surviving on the streets, but now have food in their bellies, a large loving family, and a community where love and acceptance are at the forefront.

 

I watched a DVD about a newly founded orphanage in Uganda. These three young ladies from Colorado are responding to the call of seeking justice by providing a home for countless young ones on the street. Their vibrancy and deep desire to make change in these little souls is inspiring.

 

And today is Micah Sunday! The Micah Challenge is a “global Christian campaign…..halve absolute global poverty by 2015.”  Micah Sunday is a day in which churches around the world are joining together in prayer, seeking guidance and increasing awareness of extreme poverty in efforts to uphold justice and create positive change.

          

 

How remarkable it is to learn of what our neighbors are doing to stand up and fight against injustice in our world!

                               (photo pasted from www.micahchallenge.org)

 

 

 

 

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Check this Out!! November 14th!

Go to http://www.rockafricadenver.com/

for “an evening of advocacy, action, and music.”  Right here in Denver, CO!

African Children’s Choir

                                              (Photo pasted from website)

 

The African Children’s Choir recently performed at the White House. They’re heading west right now! All the proceeds from their concerts go towards development projects in Africa and to provide food, shelter, and education for thousands of vulnerable children there. Check out the website to learn more!

http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/

Beyond the Mind’s Eye

If anyone could be blamed for becoming overly consumed, at times almost paralyzed by her own thoughts, I could. Hands down, I am the queen of thinking, analyzing, and reflecting. Hence the title of my blog. Not that I am criticizing human nature, I’m just reminding myself and those like me, that an exciting world of possibilities is one thought or action away. There is beauty and freedom beyond the traps that our good-intentioned minds may find us in.

 

My brother and I will be visiting Zambia in January. In less than four months, I will be setting my eyes on my adopted Zambian family and running to them, preparing for huge loving embraces. I cannot wait. I’ve begun to lie awake at night envisioning that moment. I’m sure my little sisters and I will not be able to stop tickling each others’ backs and playing with each others’ hair, like we used to do daily. All of the stressful situations I’ll have in these next few months will be completely forgotten when we will be united again.

 

Today, instead of reading more about our nation’s crises, I decided to read about Zambia. One major challenge in Zambia is that there is no adult literacy policy. Thousands of elderly men and women who wish to pursue an education are hindered due to lack of facilities to promote adult literacy. To help combat this problem, a retired teaching couple in their 70s has started a literacy school in a rural part of the country. Teaching these adults how to read will enhance their quality of life; empowering them with such achievements. Outstanding!

 

It’s stories like these that ignite the fire within me; propelling me to higher ground. After reading the story, I decided that I could potentially meet this couple, live with them in their village, eat their nshima, and be one of their literacy teachers! Amen, my love for Africa is just the same.

 

Who knows what God has in store for me. But I thank him for moments like these when I can step outside of myself and my issues, and be reminded of what lies beyond my own created realm of existence. The world is truly at our fingertips!

Quote of the Day

 ”We are raised new creations in Christ. God is calling each of us to walk in the mercy and grace He has given us. He prepares us for works of service. Do we see what He sees? Do we feel what He feels? Can we hear the cry of His heart for the lost? This is poverty of spirit. God is calling us to be poor in spirit. When we are poor in spirit, we no longer compete. We no longer jostle for titles. When we have no drive to be noticed and known, we are not offended by lack of attention. We find no satisfaction in ministry status. Then we can walk in unity, preferring others above ourselves. Our only desire is to live the life of a humble servant-lover of our Lord Jesus.” 

 

 

 

Rolland and Heidi Baker are missionaries in Mozambique. This book tells the story of how God has blessed the people of Mozambique through their ministry in such bleak and tragic circumstances.