Winter is a funny time. A time when things in America seem to be transformed. When a simple drop in temperature changes rain into magical snow, and all our plans change from "have-to" tasks - to "get-to" events. When those pesky siblings become your number one priority to get to, and that disgusting green bean casserole holds a tradition that you simply couldn't imagine being without. We see the lines of scary rabid black friday shoppers, and shake our heads knowing that's not what it's all about. We snuggle beside fires, sing Christmas carols and feel a joy all it's own during candle lit services. This is a time when though the world speeds up we choose to take some time and slow down, and what we get out of it is always far more than we thought when we counted the cost and sacrifice of the hours and finances spent for those hours with the ones we love.
Maybe because of this season, maybe for a reason all together different, G0d has laid on our hearts A Whole Knew Idea, a whole knew way of looking at missions. We always have shared our stories, we've told people of what the stats look like, how stark things are and our obligation and passion to help those in need. We've talked in terms of projects and accomplishments, numbers and needs, requirements and solutions. But not this time.
This time we've taken a whole knew approach, an approach as old and natural as our worn journals and tear stained prayers. It has come time to simply introduce the people of S. Asia.
We recently spoke with some members of our church showing them pictures, pictures of real people, real faces, real stories, of real families, with real needs, real passions, accomplishments, and joy. This is the new idea, to remove the veil of stats, of programs and humanitarian aid "feel-good" projects, and simply get back to the basics of what ministry was all about, people. People who have needs that go beyond a day's activities, or one meal, or even much needed health care and education. People who need the life and love of Chr!st; yes to heal their physical bodies but so much more to reach the depth of their soul and their heart of hearts.
So that is our goal, our mission, our passion, as it's always been but is even clearer now. In 2013 we will be taking a team, a team of people, who are ready to feel and hurt and love passionately all who we come in contact with. We will gather with believers, with those questioning what is real, with children and families, the homeless and city leaders, who are sometimes one in the same. We will visit on buses on benches, in churches and homes, on sidewalks or simply in the dirt. We will share without holding back, we will love without worry, we will serve and give of ourselves, our talents, our time, to in any way possible show love and grace to the people of the city which we so greatly love. We will tell our stories, share of our pains, our healings, and our hope.
We will do these things of course not by our might, but His, and rejoice in knowing we are not in charge, but only responsible to follow the perfect leading of our gracious loving Father.
We are excited about this trip, and this time of learning and invite you to share with us, through pr@yer and partnership, and simply by asking us to tell more. Let us show you their faces, tell you their stories, and begin to get behind the crushing load of statistics into the lives and hearts of the people themselves.
Grace and Love.
-Sarah
Maybe because of this season, maybe for a reason all together different, G0d has laid on our hearts A Whole Knew Idea, a whole knew way of looking at missions. We always have shared our stories, we've told people of what the stats look like, how stark things are and our obligation and passion to help those in need. We've talked in terms of projects and accomplishments, numbers and needs, requirements and solutions. But not this time.
This time we've taken a whole knew approach, an approach as old and natural as our worn journals and tear stained prayers. It has come time to simply introduce the people of S. Asia.
We recently spoke with some members of our church showing them pictures, pictures of real people, real faces, real stories, of real families, with real needs, real passions, accomplishments, and joy. This is the new idea, to remove the veil of stats, of programs and humanitarian aid "feel-good" projects, and simply get back to the basics of what ministry was all about, people. People who have needs that go beyond a day's activities, or one meal, or even much needed health care and education. People who need the life and love of Chr!st; yes to heal their physical bodies but so much more to reach the depth of their soul and their heart of hearts.
So that is our goal, our mission, our passion, as it's always been but is even clearer now. In 2013 we will be taking a team, a team of people, who are ready to feel and hurt and love passionately all who we come in contact with. We will gather with believers, with those questioning what is real, with children and families, the homeless and city leaders, who are sometimes one in the same. We will visit on buses on benches, in churches and homes, on sidewalks or simply in the dirt. We will share without holding back, we will love without worry, we will serve and give of ourselves, our talents, our time, to in any way possible show love and grace to the people of the city which we so greatly love. We will tell our stories, share of our pains, our healings, and our hope.
We will do these things of course not by our might, but His, and rejoice in knowing we are not in charge, but only responsible to follow the perfect leading of our gracious loving Father.
We are excited about this trip, and this time of learning and invite you to share with us, through pr@yer and partnership, and simply by asking us to tell more. Let us show you their faces, tell you their stories, and begin to get behind the crushing load of statistics into the lives and hearts of the people themselves.
Grace and Love.
-Sarah
