Jenny will be leaving for Ethiopia in the wee hours Saturday morning. Our Charlie and her sister Barbra will be going with her. It is unsettling not to be with her. But those feelings are mild this time, better for having been there before and having grown so much in our faith and confidence in putting ourselves in His hands. They will be traveling with Greg and Melissa (also active here at KTM), who happen to have been friends of Jenny and Barbra since they were kids. Greg and Melissa will be bringing home an addition to their family as well. God is so good in putting all of this together so the timing worked out like this. We had no control over it, and the odds were essentially zero… or maybe the odds were 100% all along.
Anyway, we appreciate your prayers for all of us. I know my part isn’t as hard as Jenny’s but we have several traveling and three partial families at home - we all need Him through this, even those of us staying here. But I suppose that, in and of itself, isn’t different from any other day.
Back in the day, I was known for dishing out some taunting in the course of sporting events. I wasn’t a showboater - it was a strategic thing. I did it quietly and personally, and directed it specifically at real weaknesses that I thought my opponents might be insecure about. Despite the issues I now have with our sports and star-based obsessions in the US, there is much we can learn from sports (aside from the fact that Jim is a jerk). It’s an undeniable fact that if you can rattle someone’s confidence, they will be far less effective than if they are competing with confidence and assurance. And if I saw my opponent rattled, it raised my own confidence because I knew I could control his emotions, and thus, his performance.
Maybe that’s why I appreciate the occasional taunting in the bible. Among my favorites (if you know the original interpretation - it is a bit too crass for most English interpreters) is when (I hope I’m getting the right prophet here) Elijah challenges the phophets of Baal to call on their respective God/gods to light their offering with a fire from heaven. When the prophets of Baal are desperately calling out, cutting themselves, and clearly starting to fear failure, Elijah chimes in with, “maybe your god is busy, maybe he’s in the bathroom relieving himself.” After Elijah showed God’s power, there is a reason Elijah could single-handedly grab a sword and kill them all. They were beaten and Elijah (and God) made sure they knew they were beaten without any hope of victory.
But my hands down favorite is1 Corinthians 15:54-55:
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Death has no power over us. God’s promises tell us emphatically that He orders our steps, that He is all-knowing and all powerful, and that He loves us. And when we do die - as Paul said, it is only our gain. I have a feeling that death thinks he’s a pretty bad dude. But where is that sting? If we truly had confidence that there was no sting in death, I can’t help but think how different our lives would look. And how rattled (and less effective) the enemy would be.
Read the linked blog post below. Really. You need to. It is not easy to read or hear, but the Church must become aware of what we are allowing to exist.
This unfortunately ties in to discussions I’ve had recently with several well-intentioned, serious Christian brothers and sisters who have heard “prophecies” of impending financial collapse. First, let’s clarify what biblical prophets were (are). Biblical prophets had a direct, shattering experience with God. An experience that often compelled things like smearing themselves with excrement, marrying a prostitute to illustrate God’s faithfulness to an unfaithful nation, accepting the death of a wife (described by God as “the light of your eyes” when He told the prophet she would die so He could illustrate the message with more power)... False prophets were stoned. You had to be absolutely certain of your experience with God to speak as a prophet or you did so at risk of your life. Biblical prophets spoke directly for God, passing on a specific message He gave them. They were never scholars who, through their own diligence, insight, education, and research, figured out the timing and details of the future. In fact, the future was never their primary concern at all. Their primary concern was confronting God’s people with their unfaithfulness, and calling for repentance and a return to devotion to God as their Lord and Master. They did not pull any punches, and were never widely accepted by God’s people - Amos referred to the wealthy women of Samaria as “cows of Bashan” (that particular breed was a show cow, overfed, useless for any practical purpose, and fat even for the bovine species). These were not popular guys, and they did not give hollow predictions. The future predictions were only a means to that end - a description of what would come to pass if the repentance was not forthcoming.
Did you link through to that blog post above? Please do. Really.
Then consider this. Even if the “prophecies” I’m talking about are accurate, what should they motivate us to do? Does this sound right? We should worry. Then we should spend our time, effort, and emotional focus on figuring out how to best invest/hide/use our wealth so that our standard of living is impacted as little as possible. Then we should worry some more. Then we should spend most of our prayer time seeking specifics about how to keep our standard of living where it is “if” things get bad. Then probably some more worry. Because, after all, it is all about us.
In case the post I linked didn’t get the message across, things are already bad. Things are, in fact, desperate for billions of people, many of whom have never heard the Gospel. If our time is short, where should our focus be? If we have only a short time before the wealth of this nation collapses, what should we do with that wealth before it disappears? Really. What does the bible say about how we should use our excess. That’s the prophecy this nation needs to hear. The only problem? Throughout history, true prophecy is harsh, raw, and requires that the hearer turn from selfish indulgences. No one has ever wanted to hear that, and the Church does not want to hear it now.
I apologize for the tone. Really. I don’t want to offend anyone, but did you read that link? My kids grew up in that city. This is personal to me. I’ll kiss two kids goodnight tonight who once faced that future. I love them dearly, and I now see the kids who suffer and die every day due to hunger. I know them now. And I love them. I will fight for them, and I will call things the way I see them on their behalf. Please read this with the understanding that I am a father to two (soon to be five) of these kids, understand my sense of urgency in that light, and forgive my passion for them if it has offended.
Introduction by Barbra
Our KTM blogger today is Melanie. She is a KTM member and friend who has helped us with Ludlati projects and is now organizing a project for a missionary family and the poor neighborhood they live in and love in Reynosa, Mexico which is right across the US/Mexico border. Get to know the Soriano family, their love for their neighbors, and read about how you can help!
The last time I was in Mexico was 9 years ago this August. Blistering hot. Sunburned feet. Stomach issues. Struggling with the fast Spanish speaking (this is not like college class spanish). Traveling with someone I had never traveled with before. Uh, no, it was not for a “mission trip”. It was my honeymoon! Yes, it is VERY hot in August in Mexico. But when you’re in love, crazy love (stealing a phrase here) you will do some things that just defy the world’s sense of logic.
Now we find our hearts turned toward Mexico in a love way again. This time we would like to assist the people and children living in the Reynosa, Mexico area. This city is located 22 hours south of where we live in Illinois. This “project” started because Salome Soriano came to visit our church a few months ago to update us on their progress.
Felix & Salome Soriano, along with their 3 young children, have been friends of our church family for a few years. We have been blessed & privileged to see them grow as a family, and as servants of the Lord. They left for Reynosa last June. We are excited to partner with them on this project of donations, and look forward to establishing a greater bond with them and the ministry near Reynosa, Mexico. They have joined a group called La Vina Ministries. You can check out their website for other programs (this one is listed as “yet to come) La Vina has established. http://www.vineyardmcm.org/
In Salome’s words: “The people in our neighborhood are very poor and struggle daily to meet their basic needs. Most days they don’t have water. Here are some of the ways that we have brought the Kingdom of God into these people’s lives this last year by meeting a physical need: weekly feeding program, food distribution, clothing distribution, medical clinics, shoe distributions, school supply distribution, and educational classes. We are most excited about the growth that we have seen in our church outreaches. This last year we have added three vacation Bible schools, two weekly Bible study groups, weekly kids program, and Sunday service. It is amazing to see what God has done in this neighborhood this last year.”
If you would like to pray for this family, Here is a Top 5 prayer request list for them:
An outpouring of the Holy spirit.
*Provision for the construction that still needs to be done.
A reliable water source for the colonia.
Financial support for the Soriano Family.
Protection for the new believers.
The have some other needs, as well: School supplies in Backpacks, clothing all sizes all seasons, shoes, pots, pans, sheets, blankets, towels, washcloths, Spanish books, Spanish Bibles, diapers, toys, canned food, flashlights/batteries, Cash donations for a 16ft. flatbed trailer to carry items across the border.
The exciting news is that a backpack drive is now under way! They have about 390 students in their care area, and that seems to be growing all the time. I set a goal originally of 25 backpacks from our church family. If you or your bible study group, youth group, homeschool group, family, etc.would like to join us, we just may be able to get closer to that 390!
A truck is heading down to the Soriano family mid-August. So if you would like to pack a backpack or organize a group to do that, please let us know (see emails and phone numbers on the flyer). We are happy to pick up your items!
As I lived with what I wrote Thursday, I thought I should clarify my intent and what I really think. First - His burden is light. It is a burden, it is a yoke - it does require us to submit and sacrifice. But the yoke is easy and the burden is light. The burden we will ultimately bear in this world if we choose to reject the yoke - the submission and sacrifice that He has for us - on the other hand, is heavy. The point is that He is worthy of our all. A focus on Him and a willingness to surrender all, evidenced by sacrificial giving, is a path to participation in His purpose and joy - resulting in that easy yoke and light burden.
So, in light of considering our “but”, how do we prevent that from becoming a burden that is hard to bear? How much is enough? How much is too much?
I can’t answer that for any of you. Who am I kidding - I can’t even answer that for me. It is very dangerous to compare ourselves to other people either way - either saying; “I’m doing more than them so I’m OK” or saying; “so and so is doing more than me so I am falling short”. Surrender and willingness to Him is what is necessary. So I see it this way - we need to try not to ask how much is enough at all. Here is my practical application (I like practical applications and I realized my last post did not give one):
Be aware, be willing: Make yourself aware of His purpose, and of the great physical and spiritual needs in the world. Understand His passion for all people (we’re talking about people, not issues or causes - that’s just too impersonal), and understand their need and what his word says about our role in His plan. Become willing to give any piece or even all of what you have IF He calls you to that.
Live simply, give sacrificially: To what extent - how much sacrifice? Wrong question. Remember, we’re not going there. Start down the road with one step. If you don’t know how much or how far down that road is right for you, just start with something. Give up one specific, small, tangible luxury and put that to use for His plan. Prayerfully offer it to Him and tell Him it is offered to Him as sign that you want His will in your life, you want to know how much is the right balance for you. Ask Him to give you His Spirit as a guide and a comfort as you wrestle with this question. We ask for wisdom and He gives The Guide. We ask for comfort and He gives The Comforter. But we must do our part. In this area, I believe that means living more simply than we could otherwise - even if only to a very small degree at first - and giving something that requires a sacrifice (even if a very small sacrifice)... and seeking Him - doing that with a focus on Him, His plan, and the great need around us.
He promised to give The Guide. Our willingness and initial step down the road WILL be met by Him in His grace and mercy to show us the way. Sometimes I’m just not very patient in waiting for Him. I need to work on that.
I stole the title from an entry my wife wrote on our personal family/adoption blog (let me know if you want the link). As I often do, I’ll apologize for the shock value but it’s really an insincere apology since I’m kind of trying to get attention (and since an alternative title was Intellectual Honesty Part 2). Before I start, let me emphasize that this is not a ranting against all or you - this is a (painful) change I have forced myself to make in my personal thought process because I realized I was not being honest with myself.
Jenny’s entry was longer and more comprehensive than mine, but my brief spin on it is this: All the time, I catch myself thinking or saying, “I really want to do __________ for the (insert: poor/homeless/orphan/ child sex slave/sick/...), BUT ___________.” Here’s where I must consider my but, and where I must be honest with myself.
$30-40/month can literally save a child’s life, prevent the slavery/forced labor for that child, prevent preventable disease, and provide education and hope. We give that much many times over, but the need is still great. So, there is only one but for me. That but is this: “I really want to help, BUT I CARE MORE ABOUT HAVING MY SATELLITE TV / NIGHTS OUT / MOUNTAIN BIKE / MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKETS /... than I do about saving a life. I do. It’s shocking, but it’s the only honest but out there. I don’t care how much I’m already giving. If I choose to spend $70/month on satellite TV when that could save two lives, I care more about that TV than about those lives. Any other argument is just plain dishonest (and I would say stupid if I wasn’t such a kind, subtle, and gentle person).
You can insert buts about time or effort for my example about money as well. It still circles back to one but - I care more about a uses of time such as kids sports, jiu jitsu training, watching TV, etc… than I do about really connecting with neighbors who desperately need what Jesus has to offer through me.
So here I am - fallen, selfish and gluttonous at my core. How do I reconcile this to what I believe? I really beleive that the single but I propose is the only intellectually honest but. How can I live like I do? What a wretch I am, truly… truly in need of grace and ongoing change and growth in loving my neighbor as myself. I need His spirit for that, but I need to be willing… God help me be.
Ludlati Carepoint Support Level 41 Kids Funded; 42 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.
We have been blessed & privileged to see them grow as a family, and as servants of the Lord. They left for Reynosa last June. We are excited to partner with them on this project of donations, and look forward to establishing a greater bond with them and the ministry near Reynosa, Mexico. They have joined a group called La Vina Ministries. You can check out their website for other programs (this one is listed as “yet to come) La Vina has established. 
They have about 390 students in their care area, and that seems to be growing all the time. I set a goal originally of 25 backpacks from our church family. If you or your bible study group, youth group, homeschool group, family, etc.would like to join us, we just may be able to get closer to that 390! 
