Mission: Not Impossible

Last night, MP and I did something crazy. We sent our kids off to my MIL’s house to spend the night and we went out to dinner. We ate ribs. And corn nuggets. They were good. Now on to the crazy part…..

During our meal, we discussed an opportunity that we’ve just been presented: a Ug*ndan Mission trip. For a week. In September. 2011. Um, you guys, that’s in Africa. It’s like, eight (8) thousand (,000) miles away. And it’ll cost about $3,500. That’s three (3) thousand (,000.00) five (5) hunnerd (00) dolla dolla billz, y’all. What to do? Pray. Fundraise. And for everything else, there’s Visa. I kid. But not really.

Yes, we can see and feel the Lord working through us right now. It’s unexplainable, but our spirit was been moved for orphans. It’s a terrible epidemic here in the States and while we are saddened about the US orphans, our heart is literally broken in two for the orphans of Ug*nda. See, in the US, being an orphan is not a death sentence. In the US, we have government assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid. We have free healthcare, food-stamps, WIC, and CHIPS. We have free education though grants and scholarships. We have government funded Foster homes. We even have Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

Q. You know what Africa has?
A. Squat. And typhoid.

On this Good Friday I was reminded of this: We live in the greatest country in the world. In 2009, this country donated approximately $25 billion for foreign aide.

We live in a country that, in 2010, spent the following:
$11.4 billion on medical supplies and over the counter medications
$19.53 billion on food
$14.11 billion medical care
$3.65 billion on grooming

For our pets. I tell no lie. That’s an estimated $48.69 BILLION spent. On our pets. And it was estimated that we’ll spend $50.84 billion in 2011. OMG. Say it with me, ON.OUR.PETS. When children everywhere are hungry. *guilty*

We live in a country where we like to boast about Amendments and the “right to bear arms”, yet we deny our freedom of religion. We get mad when the “gubment” wants to mess with our healthcare or raise taxes. We protest against protesters and we got fighting mad when the “Tanning Bed tax” went into effect. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about, and yet we have no “Tea Party” fighting for God in our schools. We live in a country where we pick and choose which part of the Constitution we can say aloud. We pick and choose the Amendments and Bible verses that best accommodate our needs and then we justify our actions to ourselves. For Peet’s sake, we live in a country where our PRISONERS have more freedom that most free citizens of other countries. And yet so many of us take it for granted. *guilty*

Regardless, the US has been blessed immeasurably. God has poured out His favor on us, Sodom’s undeserving sister. I say this to myself because I have been so selfish with our “stuff”. We’ve been called to act. That’s a fact. Yet, I ask myself, “What if I just don’t? What if I like having extra money and extra time? What if I don’t want to share my family or our wealth or our resources? What if I consider vacations and deer camp as necessity rather than luxury? What if I’m not ready to give up more of ME for someone else?”

Ezekiel 16:49-50 *blink*gulp*blink.blink* I don’t like the answer.

MP and I have reached a place in our lives where we cannot sit idle any longer. Not when we know we’ve been commanded to act. And certainly not while knowing that so many children suffer. Like, these children seriously consume me. I cannot work without thinking of them. I cannot speak without speaking of them. I cannot love on my own children without wanting to love on them too. I have never wanted to hold and squish and love and kiss on a little black child so much IN. MY. LIFE. It’s borderline insanity, really. But you guys, they need love and if you know me at all, you know I’m all about showin’ some LUB! And great hair. But I digress.

So, what is the purpose of this post? Well, prayer. Pray for our safety. Pray for our kids. Pray for Africa. Pray for orphans of the world. Pray for the USA. Pray about your role. As Christians, we are ALL called to aide orphans and widows. It’s right there in the bible:

“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” Isaiah 1:17

And again:

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for the orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27

See? I told you so. But, “What can I do?” you ask. Oh, my friends, that’s easy:

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”  2 Corinthians 8:12

The Lord only asks to do what we CAN do. For some, that’s GO. For some, that’s PRAY. For some, that’s GIVE. I only ask that you pray about your role in God’s divine plan.

MP and I would truly appreciate your prayers right now. God is so good and has called us to take action. For that reason alone, we can’t NOT go. We are willing and able. The timing is right. The selfish part of me says, “What about my own kids?” I’m ashamed to admit that I almost said no to this trip because I would miss them so much. I told myself it was because I loved them so much that I couldn’t leave them for that long. However, this morning I was convicted about my selfishness. I was quickly reminded of these verses:

“ Then He said to them all, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take us his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

“Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family. Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:61-9:62

I realized I need to go BECAUSE I love my children enough to be faithful to God’s call. Ouch.

Please understand that this post was not intended to be a guilt trip. Or even a pan-handling letter; however, donations would not be declined. :) But if my words made you feel convicted, then good. SINNER! I kid. I pray that this speaks to your hearts. I pray that by this, I am using my God given talent as a tool for God’s glory and that He would be lifted up. And it is my sincere hope that you are all moved to action.

Please check out our friends at http://www.sixtyfeet.org/
Email me at usillypickle@comcast.net

In Him,
~cp