Childish Generosity

Hello there once again!!

(Side note: read this one all the way to the end, you won't wanna miss it -- and don't skip to the end, that's not cool either...)

I can probably describe the last three days in three phrases, and the majority of you could guess what's going on. Here, let's try:   kids who act like they're on a sugar high, adults who try to keep them under control, and everyone screaming (in a positive manner) about Jesus. If you guessed Vacation Bible School, congrats!! You're right! I've had the privilege of spending some quality time with the children of our church and teaching them about faith in Christ, and it's been amazing! But really, I think sometimes I learn more from the kids there than they learn from me.

These girls set up a lemonade stand
to help raise money for me!
It was a huge success!! 

I've been blessed with the opportunity to be the "missionary" for this year's VBS. However, I'm not sharing about it myself. I've been watching (dressed as a goofy news reporter, ha!) from the "sideline" as one of our characters, "Officer Usee Everywhere" (also known as my youth pastor), tells about the "missing" Emily Coral Holliday who is 'wanted' by Jesus, I've been able to observe from a different perspective. I've had the chance to see how the journey God has called me on has affected everyone around me - both adults and children. Don't get me wrong here, I don't favor either adults or children over the other, but being around so many kids this week has made me appreciate something special about them: their generosity.

Soldier Christian Church VBS

Over the 4 days of VBS, these kids have amazed me. They've come in with Ziploc bags chock full of change, money safety pinned to their shirts, and we even found a euro penny in the offering plate. These kids are scrounging up everything they have! It's just like the woman in Mark 12. "But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents." And what did Jesus have to say about it? "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others...she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on" Mark 12: 42-44 (NIV). The kids here in Soldier, Kansas, even though they probably don't realize it, are living out true generosity; they're a perfect example of what Paul tells the Corinthians, " Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have " 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NLT).

While being blown away by this picture over the last few days, I've also had to ask myself, what if I gave with that much abandon? What if the adults were as willing to give as their children? Or even, what if, instead of buying the newest "Christian" CD, t-shirt, or book, we decided to give that money to help people that God has beautifully and wonderfully made?

However, I'm not saying that adults aren't generous. In fact, that's why I wanted you to read all the way to the end (yep, almost there!!). I wanted to let you know that I've seen childish generosity, and I have proof of it. As I've decided to stay in Uganda more specifically until the end of April 2013, I've seen something awesome happen right before my eyes: I'm fully funded for my stay there! God is rich, and He's used His people to help me realize that. So, thank you all so much for your support, prayers, and donations; I am eternally grateful. Well my friends, I leave in 3 weeks; I'll continue updates as things progress. Stay childish!

Beyond Measure

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by God's goodness that you simply can't contain it? So aware of the blessings He's pouring out on you that you can't help but fall to your knees and praise Him? I'm there, and all I can really say is that I'm blessed beyond measure.

This week, I've seen our Glorious Father moving. He's moving in individuals and groups, children and adults. I've known all along that He would provide the things I need for this adventure, particularly financial support, but as I've watched my funding rise by thousands of dollars over the last few months, once again, God has completely blown my mind! He's led several people to unexpectedly make donations towards Surrender Uganda this week, as well as opening up more opportunities for me to simply share my story. I'm blessed because God is faithful. He led me to this, and His Word lets me know that He will finish the job He started, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" Philippians 1:6 (TNIV).

In the whole of this journey so far, my King has led me through some difficult experiences, and I'm blessed by them. "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" 1 Peter 1:6-7 (TNIV). I praise Him because He is intentionally refining me into the image of Christ. He desires both you and me to be near Him, but because of His perfection, we cannot stand before Him as we are, in our sin. He chose not to give up on us, so He sent the Rescuer. In the same way, He is my Rescuer through trials. He's the hand that leads me through even the roughest times. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" Psalm 73:26 (TNIV). I am blessed because my trials are in God's hands, not mine.

My Family!

I am also blessed by my amazing family - both biological and my family in Christ. Without their support and encouragement, I would never have been able to carry out this journey. They've helped me let people know about Surrender Uganda, raise funds, and prepare for the trip. Along every step of the way, they've been there with me. "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" Philippians 2:1-2. I'm blessed by the unity God has created in my families.

Some of my sisters in Christ!

Obviously, I could go on and on about the blessings God's given me. The point I want to make is this: The blessings God has poured out on me have always been there. He has always been faithful. He has always been in charge of my trials, and I have always been surrounded by an amazing family of believers. But I haven't always been aware of these blessings. I wasn't looking for them; I was content to sit and complain about my life. Through this spiritual journey, God has made me start looking at the world I live in and realizing that I am blessed beyond measure. Many people couldn't even dream of what I am surrounded by in everyday life. So, I'd like to challenge you. Look around at what God's given you - I think you might just realize that you're blessed beyond measure too.