~~~
~She sells her body to make money to feed her child.
~4 people in the church of 100 own a Bible.
~She's sick and dying of AIDS. She has been sexually abused more
times than she can count. She is 7. And cares for 4 younger siblings.
~He sleeps in the train station. Starving. While there are hundreds
of very edible cows wandering on the streets. But he won't dare touch
one... because he believes that cow might just be his uncle, father, or friend.
~Her husband was martyred last year, leaving 40 orphans in her care. Somehow, all 41 of them survive on $10 a
day.
I've seen their faces.
I've looked into their eyes.
I heard the unique tones of each voice.
I've smelled their homes.
I've slept in their rat infested rooms.
I've held them as they've wept.
I've tasted the sourness of their food.
I've laid on the dirt under the stars, holding sick, dying orphans who don't speak a word of English, falling in love with them as their bright eyes smile up at me through dark skin.
So its real to me.
And over and over again, I try to innovate new ways to help them. Because over and over again, it reverberates in me: "This is not just THEIR problem."
When a part of my body isn't functioning right, it manifests itself, sometimes through a cough, a sneeze, or weakness. When something isn't in sink with the rest of my parts, we'd say that I'm sick, and begin to do what needs to be done to get me healthy. If my lungs, stomach, or head suffer, the rest of me suffers, too....
When a part of the Body of Christ isn't functioning right, the rest of the Body suffers. When we who CAN do something do nothing, it affects everyone, even though you might not see it externally... eventually, what's going on internally will manifest on the surface.
Their conditions are not just their problem. And I'm not just talking about physical conditions. I'm talking about emotional and spiritual as well. Far too often we all walk around in a cloud of self-consumption, saturated in our present level of depression or happiness, the price of gas and the economy, our relationship issues, or any other situation we can keep our minds busy with.
And we miss the big picture.
Starving children in Mozambique aren't actors in a Compassion International infomercial. They really do exist. I've held their boney frames.
Women enslaved by the sex trade aren't statics. I've seen the emptiness in their eyes, and heard their unspoken cries for a Friend.
You know you're awake because you want to wake everyone else up, too.
If you don't want to, then maybe you're still sleeping.
Maybe you need to walk straight into something uncomfortable. Something you don't understand. Something that even frightens you a bit.
Until you do, the real world keeps passing you by, while you live in the Matrix.
True, waking up requires much more effort. But I promise you, its worth every tear, drop of sweat, and question that keeps you up at night.
Feeding starving orphans is not just the orphan's problem. Loving the love-starved is not just the love-starved's problem.
And waking sleeping people up is not just the sleeping people's problem.
I've decided its mine, too.
Looking for a way to wake up?
Good news: Its on your front door step.
On Saturday, September 13th, 2008 a massive hurricane (affectionately called Ike) ravaged the gulf coast of Texas and the surrounding areas. It made the top news stories for about 5 days... and then it was right back to politics again. But the people of Galveston, Kemah, and Houston are still dealing with the aftermath. Debris is all over the roads. Houses are flooded. People are in need.
Ike didn't hit Houston at a Category 5 like Katrina did New Orleans five years ago, but the damage is just as bad. 115 mph winds have left many families helpless, and a month later, are feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work that STILL needs to be done.
And its not just their problem. Its our's, too. I'd be lying if I told you that part of me doesn't want to be there right now, helping my family and friends clean up. Part of me absolutely does, yet today God has positioned me to work in Bangkok. But maybe you can help....
Maybe it's for the weekend. Maybe it's for a week. Maybe for a few. I realize that the economy isn't in the best shape right now, but the people of Texas are in the same fiscal boat as everyone else. Maybe you don't know what you have to offer.... You're probably just as experienced as the homeowners who are weeding through their memories in the rubble.
I've learned this year that just showing up when there's need, brings healing.
When my dad died a few years ago, many people came to our aid those first couple of weeks. They sent cards, flowers, food, and quite a few showed up at our doorstep to just sit with us in a house that was now dad-less. After the funeral, everyone went home, and back to their lives as they were before... but my mom, my brother, and I were about to deal with the loss every day for the next few years. Everyone else's life could go on as normal, but for us, everything had changed.
Southeast Texas still needs support. Let's not forget the trauma that many people are now living with every day.
If you are an ex-World Racer,
consider doing again what you gave your life for during those 11
months-- loosing your life to find it.
If you're able to take a week off of work and lend
your feet and hands, consider laboring with the people of Houston.
Take a family trip. Get your kids involved in serving while they're young.
And if you're living in an area of Houston that didn't get hit too badly, consider joining with AIM. There are hundreds of opportunities.
My greatest Hero said that what you sow is what you reap... here's a chance to sow love into the lives of people who need comfort, restoration,
relief, and help. If you CAN help, please contact us. AIM has set up efforts in Houston.
Shoot me an email, or email sarahmccord@adventures.org, or call 800-881-2461 (ext. 212). Find out more: Hurricane Ike Blog
Please don't equate lack of media coverage with lack of need--
~~~
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This morning, I saw your update notice in my inbox and knew I was about to reconnect with the truth behind the veil of this distracting "reality" that is a lie all around me.
I work at a shelter for abused women and their kids...and I find it disturbing that even in that setting, part of me seeks to find the comfort of "forgetting" the need and pain that is everywhere. Thank you for the re-awakening. Sincerely!
Like Kelly said, there are plenty of places in the area (read: Houston, "Galveston Bay area") that need help. I keep calling all of this a "restoration effort" because there are a lot of people who need more than just "relief." We have handed out meals and water to relieve their hunger, but tomorrow they will be hungry again. I'd prefer to restore them, to give them a hope and a future, you know? This is just the beginning. Other organizations will help (and do good work, too, don't misunderstand what I'm about to say), but they will be gone soon. Our churches will still be here because this is where we live, this is where we love, this is where we serve. Will we keep it up and struggle the good struggle?
I don't know with whom AIM intends to work for these efforts, but there are two "major" organizations I know of and support that are currently working in Houston and the Galveston Bay area (Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Kemah, Galveston, etc.):
a) Generation One - http://www.generationone.net/
"Generation One is a non-denominational ministry located in the Third Ward of Houston, Texas and is committed to the spiritual growth and physical rebuilding of the impoverished areas of the Third Ward."
b) CORE Alliance - http://www.core-alliance.org/
"C.O.R.E.–Christians Organized for Relief Efforts was established in 2005 by two churches from Houston, Texas to assist in meeting the needs of people hit by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast area. Ultimately, C.O.R.E. housed nearly 9000 volunteers coming from all over the US and several countries as they rallied to provide relief to Mississippi citizens. Today, C.O.R.E. has evolved into C.O.R.E. Alliance, an open group of churches banded together with the mission of serving the community as the hands and feet of Christ. Pooling our resources and efforts enable maximum impact in the community whether we are acting as first responders to a disaster or acting in concert to positively affect the community."
Matthew Davis
Ecclesia Clear Lake
http://www.ecclesiaclearlake.org/
Praying with you for Houston. Strange to be away, to see the pictures and know the places, but know the actual feelings of the every day.
Appreciating your heart,
Liza
Thanks for your "help-cry" for us Houstonians, too. We have no cheetahs here!
your sis
-B.EAST
Elysa Mac
http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/
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