Bundibugyo

O God, come to assistance of those suffering in Uganda; O Lord, make haste to help them.

I came across this blog late last night by accident. I could not believe what I was reading. I was in disbelief. These missionaries (doctors) are giving their lives for the sake of Christ.

I was hungry and you fed me.
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink.
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.

www.Paradoxuganda.blogspot.com

My New Favorite

A Few years ago Barry and I traveled to Spain on a missions trip. While we were there we heard of the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile or so (for some even longer) pilgrimage. The idea of a modern day pilgrimage seemed interesting, but a little odd. Fast forward to this summer. I came across this title. I immediately recognized the subtitle and decided to take a look.

I can't say enough about this book. My new found interest in the topic may be directly related to the circumstances of my life. It's been an easy read with priceless quotes that have directly affected my way of thinking. Who would have thought that walking would be so profound in a person's life.

Boers words felt so real to me. I felt that maybe we had been on the same journey, his by foot and mine by circumstances. I loved the following quote. It's a little long, but it's what pulled me in.
I encountered challenges that changed and transformed me. I did not welcome those opportunities; I endured them. I had no choice about experiencing them, only in what I would do with those experiences. They all reworked me. Long after the trip was done, I kept pondering it. I set my computer to use Camino photos for desktop pictures and screen savers. Even without such aids, the pilgrimage was always on my mind. Over a year later I still recalled vignettes and incidents every day. Each night, when I lay down, I revisited scenes. When sleep was long in coming, I would recall every place I stayed along the way. As I went for walks, uninvited memories flooded my mind. I always wanted to tell stories about my trip to others, whether visiting friends, sharing a meal with my family or teaching classes. I worried that I might become a bore. I could not stop thinking about what had happened. It took only a month to walk but required much longer to process.

Advent and Irving Bible Church

Matthew 25(Message):

Then the King will say to those on his right, "Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me.
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink.
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.

Not Just Ourselves is something that my church(Irving Bible Church) does each year at Advent. Since its birth IBC has seen 2 million dollars donated to various things outside of our church walls. Water is Basic has benefited from NJO and today the first of the water drills arrived in Sudan and will begin drilling a well a week. Each well will provide clean water for 2000 people. This year Not Just Ourselves is looking to donate $250,000 to Parenting Alone a ministry being launched by IBC. This ministry hopes to locate itself outside of the church and provide all types of help (medical,legal,parenting,etc.....) for single parents. IBC hopes to see other churches catch the vision and partner with IBC and open other Parenting Alone locations throughout the metroplex, but also across the country. I think it's ok when I say, "I'm really proud of my church." I believe this is what Matthew 25 looks like. When those in Sudan are given a drink, we are also giving that drink to Christ and when we provide food, water or even medical care to a single parent it is as if we are giving those things to our Savior. This brought to mind a quote I used a few months back by Mother Teresa:

"When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed. We have refused to be instruments of love in the hands of God to give the poor a piece of bread, to offer them a dress with which to ward off the cold. It has happened because we did not recognize Christ when, once more, he appeared under the guise of pain, identified with a man numb from the cold, dying of hunger, when he came in a lonely human being, in a lost child in search of a home."


Advent Prayer:

God,
You are everything to me.
You shepherd me and keep me safe.
Keep me awakened to everything in my life.
Keep my eyes fresh and my energy strong.
Keep me aroused with you power,
a power that sings within me,
a power that continually proclaims hope
in the midst of hopelessness.

Your word is strong,
stronger than any weapon
that can rule against me.
Help me to listen well to your word-
to stay awake and be on watch for you.
May I look to see the many signs
of your coming among us.
May I respond joyfully to the call
to be a voice
for all those who seek justice.

You give me this time of waiting and hoping
amid the craziness and falsehood of the season.
You call me to keep Advent holy,
even though everything around screams
Christmas-
Here!Now!
Help me remain patient
when it is difficult to see you.

May I be your song,
and may I journey well
with my brothers and sisters
who long to see your face.

I will wait for you. Amen.

Tis the Season

The season is off to a great start. We were able to attend Grapevine's yearly Christmas parade on Thursday with a few Irving Bible friends.(It brought back wonderful memories of Wheaton) The weather was great. It was just cold enough to wear a coat and gloves (sure beats the freezing temp. in downtown Chicago this time of the year).