A Night for HOPE

What is the hope we can all cling to?

A little while ago I was invited to an event on Facebook. I had heard about the event last year, I treasure the friend who invited me, and I was semi-interested in going. I clicked "Maybe attending". I didn't write it into my planner. I didn't program it into my phone. I forgot about it. As the date drew near I noticed more and more people I knew planning to attend. I once again checked out the event and daringly changed my RSVP to "attending". But again, I forgot about it.

After class yesterday a new friend of mine, we shall call her Swan, asked if I was going. I stared at her blankly and said "uhhh...to what?" She told me of the event and I hung my head in shame for forgetting...again.

So with new resolve I programmed the event in my phone and told myself I was going. The day went on and I got a little reminder on my phone at 6:30. I sighed, hit snooze on the reminder and continued putsing around on the computer. Finally, at 7pm (the time the event began) I scrambled out the door. I turned in my lamest, least valuable used textbook at the door (the entrance fee was to bring a used textbook) and walked inside. I briefly chatted with my treasured friend who had invited me initially on Facebook. She was very pleased that I was there. I wandered around and found some friends...still shamefully clinging to some skepticism for the whole night. We found our seats and the night got started.

A Night for HOPE is basically a benefit concert for an organization at UF called HOPE. It's a group of students with hearts for those who seemingly have no hope. People living all over the globe in poverty and pain.They are students with passion, love, and a desire to serve. So what is the hope that they share? It's the gospel...the good news...Jesus Christ, our Savior. Real HOPE!

So I sat there listening to the first musician and watching the slideshow of pictures and my heart was being broken over and over again. God wanted me there. He wanted to break me of my selfishness. He wanted to break my heart for what breaks His. He brought me out of myself and into where He wanted me.

The whole night, from then on was just a night of uplifting hope. I'm not one who cries easily but I found myself tearing up. All of the musicians were rock solid and their lyrics were so true and God-oriented. If you want, check out Peter Lebhar on iTunes. All proceeds from his song "Who Will?" go to support HOPE's partnership in Magambua, Tanzania.

I was moved by story after story of God working in far-off places. People getting dirty and getting messy to bring hope to people. To serve people and also to learn. My friend Swan was emceeing and I was laughing so hard and yet so filled with compassion with her stories. Hearing Paul Emory from the US Office for World Missions was growing as he challenged us to "go!" and finish the work placed before us.



Anyway, all this to say, what are YOU placing your hope in? Is your hope in yourself? Is it in your job? Is it in your government? Is it in your ability to please others? Is it in your health? Is it in your financial status? OR...Is it in JESUS CHRIST the one who is HOPE within himself? Are you sharing that hope? Do you sing it from the rooftops and declare it from your soul?

Maybe we should.

Prayer for a stranger

I would love to write about the beginning of my spring semester but for now I will live you with a short little story.

Today after class I hopped on the bus to head home. A few stops later an older woman got on, walking with a cane - possibly homeless. It crossed my mind to stand up and give her my seat (there weren't many left) but she found one in the back so I ignored her and continued playing with my phone. We continued on and all of the sudden I hear this horrible hacking noise. The old woman had a terrible, terrible cough. It was just this dry unproductive hack. She would have a coughing fit, take a few breaths, and then go right into another fit. I stared hearing comments of people saying "ew" or "ugh" and I was a little grossed out at first - who knows what she has!

But in the midst of my silent complaint I felt this pull on my heart. I HAD to pray for this woman. While I was too chicken to go sit with her, chat with her, and pray in person with her I was GOING to pray. I sat there on the bus and just prayed for this woman. I prayed for her health, for her cough, for her life. I confessed my unwillingness to get messy and simply talk to her. I prayed that someone out there has or will talk to her and share the gospel with her. I prayed that God might reveal himself to her - that someone in her life might share the Good News and she would come to know Christ (if she doesn't already).

As I was praying her fits of coughing became decreased and she was able to breathe normally for a while. I was thankful for that. I don't know God works but I do pray that He does heal her if it is His will.

I don't know if I will see this woman again - maybe I will, maybe I won't. I don't know if I'll talk to her next time - maybe I will, maybe I won't. But that's ok. God knows. =)

Where are all the christians?

Do you ever wonder where the christians are in this world? They're not visible in day-to-day life. Come out, come out wherever you are!

When there's a little girl at school who is picked on, has a bad family life, and eats lunch alone...where are the christians to invite her to youth group and do homework together?

When a middle class man loses his job and can no longer provide for his family...where are the christians to pray for him, buy him a weeks worth of groceries, and help him job search?

When a young girl in college becomes pregnant, considers an abortion, and cries more days that not...where are the christians to offer her comfort, wisdom, and love her no matter the decision?

Come out, come out wherever you are! It's time we come out of hiding.

Jesus wants to accept, heal, and love these people with open arms. And He wants to use US to do it. He wants His church--the body of Christ to go, see, and reach. But we...I...sit here cowering. What's that saying about me?

My faith is so little. But God is so big.

I am weak. But God is strong.

I can't. But He can.

Operation Christmas Child

Have you guys ever heard of Operation Christmas Child? I'm 95% sure you have. I've heard of it again and again, year after year. I've never participated before. I never really thought about poverty, 3rd world countries, or really anything besides myself until I came to college. Then in college I've justified my lack of giving by being a "poor college kid." This year when it was announced in church something stirred in my heart. I knew that I was going to fill a box this year. I realized that while I may be poor by America's standards, I'm still filthy rich in the standards of the world. (And beyond material possessions, I've also been made spiritually rich by the blood of the Lamb who was slain!!!)

So I went shopping. I decided to consider prices as I went but not make them a deciding factor on any particular item/type of item. I work two jobs, I can afford rent, I am able to buy food for myself, I even splurge on items every once and a while. I HAVE ROOM TO GIVE!!!

I decided on putting together a box for a 10-14 year old girl. RoseLaure, my sweet sponsored child, is 14. While I know she won't be getting my box...or possibly any box for that matter...it was easier for me to buy things I knew she liked, needs, and would fit into. Plus, I figured other people like to buy cute baby things and little kid toys. They've got those age ranges covered. I hope.

This is what I bought: A pink skirt, a purple butterfly shirt, three boxes of candies, two toothbrushes, toothpaste, a bar of soap, two wash cloths, cute girly pencils, a pencil sharpener, markers, a pad of drawing paper, and a paddle ball.

I had every intention of going back out and getting some more things - a jump rope, a stuffed animal, and other miscellaneous fun things. Unfortunately, as I packed the things I had bought from my first shopping trip I soon realized the box was out of space. I was really sad I couldn't put more in it but I'm glad I was able to fit what I did already have.

Next, you're supposed to wrap your box. It's not a requirement but it just makes it a little more Christmassy. I, however, don't own wrapping paper. I have a few miscellaneous birthday gift bags but those, clearly, would not do! So I had to be creative.

What college girl doesn't own puffy paint? I decided to puffy paint the lid. I hope the girl who receives this box likes it! Bondye beni ou means God bless you in Creole.

This side says Fete Nwel or Merry Christmas in Creole.

So I turned my box in at the church office and we prayed over them as a congregation this past Sunday. As a church we collected over 230 boxes! They're all going to Haiti! This makes my heart joyous and I hope it makes the kids joyous!!!

RoseLaure

Have you, my loving readers, noticed the picture I have placed on my sidebar - M'renmen RoseLaure? If you havent, look to the right side of the screen. Smile. This is RoseLaure (and me). She is the sweet and wonderful girl whom I sponsor through RMI.

I cower from being one of those middle class Americans. So many people see those heartwrenching comercials, send in some money, and think they're justified in ignoring the rest of the poverty and problems.

Anyway, I sponsor RoseLaure. She's my girl. I met her when I was in Baraderes, Haiti in May. She is one of the "orphan" children who lives in the pastor's house. I say orphan in quotes because most Haitian orphans, in my experience, are not actually orphans. Most of them have parents, or at least aunts and uncles. The problem lies in the fact that the parents cannot afford to care for them.

Wow, I feel like I keep typing myself down rabbit holes. Sorry for that.

I met RoseLaure while I was living in the pastor's house for a few days. She is quiet and shy but she has a smile that shines as bright as the sun. I was in love. My first interaction with her, the pastor was trying to get us to guess her age. She's small and petite. I figured she couldn't be over the age of 10. Wrong. She's 14. I couldn't imagine the life she had lived that made her not grow. Every once and a while I'd run into her in the house. We didn't get much of a chance to interact because she was busy doing chores.




RoseLaure talking to one of the missionaries.




We got to meet all of the children who live in the pastor's house.
And they enjoyed a couple hours off from doing chores.




We were able to give these children a little baggie of gifts.
They each got mints, jolly ranchers, pencils, a pencil sharpener, and some small toys.



We saw her in the clinic briefly. Then one afternoon she was hanging out with her friends who live in the pastor's house with her. I was walking by the river and stopped to chat with them. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip.



"Hang out" time by the river. RoseLaure is on the right.




She's so adorable, don't ya think?



This picture makes me laugh. RoseLaure was so excited that her toothpaste made it into the picture.

It was bittersweet to leave Baraderes, especially because it would mean leaving a piece of my heart behind. Oh and yes, that is a barbie dress. At 14. And she doesn't care. That wouldn't happen here in the States.

When I came home from that trip I was moved to do something. I sent in my money (done through church because my church works closely with RMI) and requested RoseLaure. I knew it was unlikely that I actually got her but I could hope and pray. When it came time to pick up our sponsorship packets, I saw her face and I jumped up and down and squealed with joy!

I love being able to support her financially and help her in what small ways I can. I love being able to pray for her. I love being able to tell people about her. I love seeing a picture of her face pop up on my phone's background. I love her. I love her people. I love her country. So much love. I'm so glad that God's love for me is leading me to love so deeply that it overflows to RoseLaure. I'm so thankful for the mere opportunity to know this girl and love her.

Do you sponsor any children? Who do you sponsor them through? Have you met them? Do you love them?