Poverty

 We have been preparing to speak with some churches, small groups, and individuals. We want to share the vision that God has given us and find out if people feel called to join us in this vision. Do they want to support us, financially or prayerfully and by doing so invest in God's kingdom? As we prepare, we are becoming more aware of what God is calling us to do and why he chose our family to do it. 

One of the things that we continue to come back to is relationships. Our entire family is passionate about developing relationships. We want to connect with our Haitian staff, other American missionaries, Haitians in the street, Haitians our organization supports, and visiting short-term missionaries. We love to connect.

So, what does this really means for us? We are becoming aware, on a deeper level, that relationships, through Christ, are all about loving. Love is a word that is overused, but it is real. Its not the kind of love that is looking to 'get something' but the kind of love that IS, simply because the other person is a valued child of God.

One of the series of verses we stand on is 1 Corinthians 13. It talks about doing many good works, but without love, those good works are nothing. It then goes on to describe what love is. I believe everyone has heard the list, and everyone, especially me, can feel convicted by some description of true love. But it gives us something to aspire to. 1 Corinthians 13's final verse is this,

"Three things will last forever- faith, hope and love- but the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:13

I was watching a tv show the other day. It is about a woman that was a midwife on the east side of London in the 1950's. The poverty was great. She was struggling with the reality of poverty and was talking to a priest. He explained to her that poverty was not a lack of money, hygene, or personal property. Poverty is a lack of being loved and being treated respectfully. 

This is so true! Love and respect. This is something we try to give to those we encounter, through our actions, our words, our eyes. Our family wants to be used by God to show others that they are loved, they are respected. They are a valued child of God. To be called to be an ambassador of Jesus is the highest honor. We are thrilled that we get to do this in such an impoverished (loveless place where people are treated with little respect) area. 

I stole this picture from a friend. :) Love that smile!