and the constant is...change...

I leave for China on Monday.

One of the things that I learned early on in doing missions, ministry, and cross-cultural work (and I guess any work for that matter), is that one thing you can absolutely count on is change.  So we plan the best that we can, be as prepared as we can, and then know that something about our plans - sometimes something small, sometimes something big - is going to change.

Part of the plan for my time in China was to visit the rural orphanage shown in my previous post.  This trip would serve a significant role in my planning for the team I'll take there in June.  The orphanage has a great story and great need for its children.  Today, when the final confirmation call was made to them, we were told that apparently the local government has built a brand new orphanage, that this one will be moving, and that there won't be a need for us to come this time or in the future.  Hmmm...ok...

This isn't something that I really understand.  It wasn't in the plan - for next week or next June.  We'd planned; we'd communicated; we'd visited in August; we'd planned some more; and then the inevitable change...

So, we'll get on our various planes on Monday and fly to Beijing.  We know that there are others there who have significant need - some we've had previous discussions with but who didn't seem to fit "the (our) plan" as well as the orphanage in Fuyang did.  There will undoubtedly be many emails flying back and forth between now and then as we reset our plan...remembering that it isn't "our plan" but "His plan"...

Good thing I'm getting to be so laid back and flexible...

Heading to "the Other China"

In October I will be headed back to China - this time with chinaconnect.  We will be headed into what we refer to as "the Other China" - the China which is beyond the bright lights of Beijing and the hoopla of Hong Kong.  One of the places we'll visit is an orphanage where I will be taking a team next June.  Below is a rough video that I've put together from pictures and video clips that have been shared with me by friends who were recently there.  If after watching it there is something tugging at your heart, maybe you should consider joining me in June...if you can't, maybe you'd like to join us through the sharing of your financial gifts.  As you'll see, there is a lot to be done to help these kids - and that requires not only many prayers, but some dollars, too!

Giving Generously or Living Generously

There are many newsletters which arrive regularly in my inbox.  Frequently - admit it, you do this, too - I just hit delete.  When I do find myself opening and scanning down through a particular message, there will usually be something that jumps out at me.  Such was the case today as I was reading the current edition from Excellence in Giving.

The headline read, "Giving Generously or Living Generously - Generosity is not a one time action it is a constant way of life".  Interested in the topic and curious about what they were going to say, I clicked on the link.  The author, Jay Link, shared some thoughts and experiences which resonate with me.  Mr. Link says, "The lesson is this: I can be generous in how I give without being generous in how I live. Conversely, I have also learned that a person who lives generously always gives generously."  Hmmm....

Following snapshot shares a couple of his points (click here for the entire article):

Characteristics of those whose lives model "Living Generously":

"Characteristic #1:  Generous Living is Open-Hearted

Those who live generously are open-hearted and alert to find people who are struggling, hurting or in pain. They empathize with those whose world is difficult and they enjoy trying to make it better.

Characteristic #2: Generous Living is Open-Minded

The minds of those who live generously are always thinking about creative ways to bless and encourage others in both great and small ways. They are consciously engaged in their world and the lives of those around them, poised to show generosity to anyone whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Characteristic #3: Generous Living is Open-Handed

The resources of those who live generously, all of them – (time, talent, treasure [and torso]), are ready to be gladly given whenever a need or an opportunity is discovered. When it is within their power to respond, they relish the privilege to make a difference and bless the life of another – friend or stranger. They live out the extreme attitude, “What is mine is yours and you can have it.”"

I don't know about you, but while I work hard to give and live generously, I think I've got some work to do.  Let's all make it a goal to do so - just think how much better our world would be!  Thank you, Mr. Link, for your transparency and prompting to thought and action.

What do you see?

What do you see? Right now. What do you see? Stop looking at the computer screen and glance around you. What do you see?

I see...

• a photo of an old weathered Honduran man strapping some blankets to his equally old burro, preparing to go gather wood in the hills;
• a poster asking, "Does the Bible Provide an Adequate Answer for the Problem of Suffering?";
• a bunch of piles nearly out-of-control;
• Bibles in various languages, devotionals, books on fundraising, writing proposals, "Facing Your Giants", "Guide for Charity Board Members";
• blown up and framed photographs of energetic kids in China, blank-eyed babies in Ukraine, kids playing on a playground in Quinhagak, Alaska, my nephews, a friend & me in Beijing;
• a newspaper headline, "Status quo..." peering out from under a book;
• a partially written thank you note;
• a trash can greatly in need of emptying;
• materials promoting the great works of Back in His Arms Again, chinaconnect; Doma International, Eyes Wide Open International, Orphan World Relief, the CLiF Network;
• a dying plant;
• the bill from the unexpected and unbudgeted engine work on my car;
• a strategic plan for a new ministry;
• bags of Honduran coffee;
• a yard stick.

Every now and then I get into what  my mom refers to as a "funk".  When in one of my funks, I get out-of-sorts with pretty much everyone and everything, and I lack all passion and motivation.  These seem to occur at times which I have taken my eyes off those things which are important - those things which represent my faith, passion, and purpose - and have shifted to the "stuff" which surrounds me.

I don't think that I'm all that unusual.  How often do our eyes get distracted from what is really important and on to the "stuff" which only seems important? How often to we allow ourselves to get frustrated by those things which are really not a big deal, but seem to have the ability to skew our attitudes and outlooks?  Probably more often than we'd like to admit.

The next time you feel yourself sliding into a funk, I'd like to encourage you to take another look around.  While there may be lots of stuff in the way, work hard to look through it and really see and focus on those things which are really important, which give you your faith, passion and purpose.