Compassion

Lets look at the hurting until we hurt with them. No hurrying past, turning away, or shifting of eyes. No pretending or glossing over. Let's look at the face until we see the person. - Max Lucado in Out Live Your Life

This thought has really stuck with me as I've worked with American teams coming to third world countries as missionaries and Max Lucado has put my feelings into words. It's so easy, especially in our society, to shut your mind off to the possibility of helping or healing. How often do we turn the opposite direction if we see a homeless person asking for money or food? What about paying a visit to the parentless kids in your community? Too dangerous? Too dirty? My favorite part of being involved with missions is being able to see God work in peoples' lives. When people are here (myself included), our purpose is to show love. It may be through evangelism, spending time with kids, building a house for a family, supporting children and their education or just offering a listening ear. Regardless of how we're doing it, we're here to make sure that when we leave... these people know that they matter. What ends up happening is something unexpected and even terrifying for these giving souls: their life is changed. Who would have ever imagined that through giving, you are the one that's receiving the gift. More often than not, I sit in on meetings on any given last night for a team and hear about the unexpected change that's taken place in their heart. I am blessed beyond words to be able to see this tiny piece of God's plan...seeing people look at the hurting and see them as people for the first time. They stop labeling them as "homeless, drunk, junkie, dying, hungry" and actually look the individuals as humans and hurt with them. I can only pray that they'll take that home with them and realize that the "beggars" back home are as human as any of the people they've connected with here.

CHWC left yesterday and it was, as always, hard to see them go. There's an undeniable happiness around here when we're together and have a week to reunite. I'm reminded year after year how blessed I am to have such incredible people in my life. Michelle has been one of my most inspirational and best friends over the past few years and I'm constantly watching her give without seizing. She truly takes Matthew 6:3 to the core in not ever giving to receive credit or acknowledgement. I'm always learning from her love and wish we didn't live on opposite sides of the country!

On the teams' last night, I spoke to them about how to make this short-term mission a lifelong experience. Any time I speak, I ask God to say what he wants through me. I don't trust myself to say anything that would be remotely inspiring or even educational to the teams compared to the words He has. For any CHWC people reading, I do have to apologize because looking back, I remember saying a lot of "I" and "me," which may have seemed normal in an autobiographical speech about my experiences but I feel like I gave myself some kind of credit for the work I've been able to be a part of when I have nothing to do with it. The only thing that I did was agree to go along for the ride and see where He would send me. One thing I've learned over the years is that God's going to do what he wants whether we're there for it or not...I could have NEVER reached where I am today if I hadn't listened to where He was telling me to go and kept faith that He'd provide in all areas of question. Once you follow the path He's put you on, you will be abundantly blessed-that is a promise. One other thing I've learned is that He won't ever fail and if He's telling you to do something, it's exactly what you should do. My passion for missions is unquestionably from Him and I want to go back and say that God gets the glory for the desire and motivation He's given me for missions.

Yesterday I had some time to relax before the next team came in and spent some time by the pool reading Out Live Your Life. If there's a place more serene than the side of the pool with a book in hand, listening to the waves from the ocean... I haven't been there. It's so good to have Betty back here and to have met Blythe. We went to church this morning and are spending the afternoon physically and mentally getting ready for the week ahead! By next Friday, there will be a roof over the head of a sweet man that doesn't have a home, hungry stomachs will be filled and love will be felt at a level that's beyond any of our dreams.

Hopefully I'll be updating much more this week than last week!
One love