compassion kids...

got a packet today fedex from compassion international...our new kids are here! so...be sure to look for the compassion/one/zfam table...you know, the one swathed in purple...should be up this sunday morning in the narthex as a 'focus' table!

why is this a good thing? seems to me that one could interpret this as a 'throw money at the problem' and not get out of our comfort zone thing. sure. but i believe in this idea for 2 reasons:

1) the whole idea behind the one campaign is that you make a commitment to fight poverty, and then actually do something about it. most of us can't fly to africa (central america, etc.)and hang out with the kids. but we are able to offer up some what we have to help them. so this is a real world, straight to the kid way to back up what we say we as christians are about. and it's fairly easy -- scratch the check, make a lump sum payment (tax refund?), write a letter, and pray for little johnny or susie. what a cool thing for our kids to do -- have a brother or sis halfway around the world who is not only being fed and educated (school and Jesus stuff), but recieving our love, prayers, and letters. what would it be like if the compassion kid actually came here, or we went there, and our kids got to hang out?

2) we are supporting someone already on the ground, doing the ministry, there, everyday. compassion is working daily with the kids they ask us to sponsor -- they've got folks there interacting. i'm really growing in my support of the idea that we can get behind people who are there everyday with our funds and prayers...plus, the majority of what we give goes directly to the kids and their families. pretty cool way to make a direct difference in a life.

i think that this is an avenue that could have a profound impact on our families...so prayfully ponder this and visit the table when you get a chance...

much love.

verse to ponder: Matthew 25:37-40

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'