It’s the time of year when we start planning for our next annual visit to Ludlati Carepoint. This year’s trip is scheduled for July 24th through August 4th (return home Aug 5). We are having a trip information meeting this Saturday @ West Side Church in Champaign, IL from 9:00-10:30AM for anyone interested in traveling or supporting the travel team.
Here is the video made from pictures and footage from last year’s trip titled “Home Away From Homestead”.
We and our Ludlati friends sincerely thank God for everyone who gives time, energy, skills, supplies and finances to make the trips possible to visit our neighbor kids and people in and around Ludlati Carepoint. KnownToMe started on the journey with Ludlati in November 2009 with a long term development plan to raise support and provide resources for the Swazi ladies (Bomake) who faithfully work at the carepoint, and build infrastructure and relationships. All these things help to meet true needs, but these relationships we actively build are the only way to deliver encouragement, love, hope and life. God spreads His love through us to our Ludlati neighbors and back again to us, because He loves us all individually and together as a family community. Will you join us?
Please come to the 2012 Trip Information Session to…
Learn how we partner with Childrens HopeChest to support the people of the Ludlati Carepoint in Swaziland for mentoring, discipleship and caring for the children of their community.
Understand how the Swazi people are partnering with Children’s HopeChest and AdventuresInMissions to break the cycle of loss from dependence and the HIV/Aids epidemic in Swaziland.
Hear from past travelers from area churches and the reciprocal impact of visits. The Summer 2012 visit will be the third visit from our community to the Ludlati community in Swaziland.
Learn all the 2012 visit details and upcoming fundraising opportunities.
You can find this link to travel team information always available at the upper right corner of the right column: 2012 Swaziland Travel Team Info
Here goes a confession…I love Jesus. I have a heart that aches (sometimes beyond what is reasonable) for those who are hurting in this world. Now for what could surprise some of you… I also love and value Christmas. More shocking, I don’t think Jesus is super caught up in Christmas. There, I said it, Jesus doesn’t (in my opinion) care about His “big day”, beyond any other.
The Gospel is the “Power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”(Romans 1:16) In it “a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” (Romans 1:17) This is ENORMOUSLY good news! It requires a response that changes EVERY SINGLE LITTLE THING about how we live, who we serve, and what we value. The truth of the gospel reveals the message that it is our whole purpose as believers to share. Our whole lives have no legitimate purpose beyond reflecting who our Lord is here in this earth until He returns.
So, back to Christmas, I completely understand and appreciate the adjustments that people are making in their modes of participation in this American cultural event. Is it appropriate to spend billions of dollars on things we don’t need? Of course not, but that is not special for Christmas. How about we stop self indulgent consumerism as a way of life, generally? I think Jesus cares about our fully surrendering to His plan and Lordship everyday.
My family will continue to take what is valuable in keeping the tradition of Christmas. We will continue to snuggle up in front of Christmas movies. We will enjoy Christmas music and Christmas cookies. We will work on surprises for each other, and for a few friends. My little girls may even find a wished for dolly under the tree. We will think of others and give extra (till it “hurts”) to those who have need. We will build traditions and make memories with the children whom the Lord has brought us, but have precious little time with. We will reflect on and rejoice in the miracle of our salvation and relationship with the God of the Universe.
We will not spend incredible amounts of money. We will not look through catalogs and make lists of things that we want, or worse, think we need. We will not even shop, for the most part, in typical stores. We will also not teach our children that Santa is real, although we don’t mind enjoying him as a cultural figure and representation of selfless giving. Truly, though, these are not special Christmas rules. These are just consequences of a different world view held everyday. I am guessing that our everyday is what really matters, and our celebrations at Christmas can be held without compromising hearts surrendered to a God who didn’t stop in His plan for our salvation at just making us servants, but instead made us His own children and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). AMAZING!
My opinion… you know by now I’m pretty free in giving that out:
The Holiday Shop this Saturday is among the best ways to support those in need. It’s not just a fundraiser. Many of the vendors have contributed to our cause to offer their wares. That is cool, we should support them. It is so important to encourage and support those who support others. But even more importantly, we will have a broad variety of “good stuff” (that’s a technical guy-shopping term) produced by micro-business in Africa that provides true economic activity and a hand up rather than a hand out. That is invaluable in creating real, long term opportunity, income, hope, and dignity.
And, trust me. I’m an artist by heart and hobby, and we have REALLY good stuff this year. Jenny actually forbade me from buying out some of it before the shop date. Because I wanted ALL of what we have in more than one item.
Just a reminder… mark your calendars, 7pm 10/28. My family, ages 5-41 will all be there. Perhaps ear plugs for the little ones, but it will be really good music and fun for all. Donations of canned goods requested for the Restoration food pantry. Our second October Action gathering will also be moved this month to the 5th Sunday - October 29.
...Or I should say, regularly scheduled series on Luke - for a special anouncement.
KTM is bringing Sean Michel to Restoration Urban Ministries for a free concert. Who is Sean Michel, you ask? Here’s the official press release:
Sean Michel has been performing Christian blues and praise music in venues around the world since he was a teenager. In 2006, Sean was a contestant on CBS’ American Idol where his foot-stomping audition qualified him for the finals in Hollywood. Sean and his band recorded their debut album in 2007 and have traveled nationally and internationally playing in concert halls and church sanctuaries. In 2009, Sean released “I Know I’ve Been Converted”, a blues influenced album that contains new renditions of several old spirituals mixed in with original songs. On October 28th Sean will be bringing his gospel blues, rock and soul sound style to Champaign, IL for a free concert at Restoration Urban Ministries, 1213 Parkland Court at 7:00 PM. Concert goers are asked to bring a donation of canned goods for the Restoration Food Pantry.
I’ve seen him perform twice, and I can assure you it will be a GOOD time in many ways. He puts on a great show and God is really present in what he does.
Since a picture says a thousand words, a few videos probably say more that that:
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Ludlati Carepoint Support Level 54 Kids Funded; 29 Kids To Go
About - KnownToMe
We have begun to ask ourselves...What would we do if our neighbor was starving right before our eyes? Would we not help? Today, their plight is not hidden from us. It is known. We believe there is a clear mandate that we must care for societies most vulnerable members, the widow, the orphan, those in extreme poverty. If you are stirred to a similar belief, if you know there is more that you must do, Known To Me will make you aware of specific needs and opportunities to help.
