Wow

Last weekend we went to a Christian comedy show with some dear friends. The comedians shared their passion for a program called World Vision, similar to Compassion, that goes into impoverished communities and assists with everything from making potable water available, to education in its many forms, to sharing the Gospel, etc. We had been thinking about child sponsorship for a while and this felt right to us. So, we found a beautiful little girl in Haiti to sponsor and thought we'd see where God leads.

Today her packet came. I had a real sense of humility as I opened it. I didn't know what I expected to find, but I somehow didn't expect what we got. That sounds bad, but bear with me for a minute. In addition to the normal info about writing letters, your child's family, etc, the packet had info about how HIV and AIDS are affecting her community. How entire generations are being wiped out and what World Vision is trying to do to help. To be completely transparent, I have had little or no contact with anyone dealing with this disease. And now I have a picture of someone whose name God knows, who He created in His image, who may or may not have this disease, but even if she doesn't, she knows people who do. And now my six degrees of separation from something I know is being battled all over the world, is removed and this issue is much more real to me.

Her birthday is May 19th. I hope we can get her a care package before then. I don't know how long it takes things to get translated, etc, but I want her to know we care. All the way from Portland, Oregon, we care and we are praying for her. Prayers whose answers we may never see, and wouldn't know what they would look like anyhow. I always know what I am asking for when I pray for friends and family. I know what the outcome "should" look like. In this case, it's just asking God to know and to hear our words and to do what only He can. So, I feel humbled and it's good. I need to dive a little deeper into this. I can't really see the whole picture yet. But, Goes does.

Lord, please help me, help us, to open our hearts to whatever you are doing. I don't see it yet and feel like I'm doing my best to be faithful as I walk blindly. I know you know what she needs and I pray you will use our small offering each month to help accomplish those things. I can't even imagine what it takes to even qualify for this kind of program. Help me to have the courage to fully delve into whatever you want for both families and to do it without shrinking back. You are so good to us and I thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen--