Ripples...

Sometimes you see a need and just volunteer to meet it without knowing how the story will unfold or the ripples that small act will create. 

You see, in 2013 we were on home assignment after our first term in Uganda and we were scheduled to serve at a camp meeting in PA. We were expected to speak on missions night, teach a youth class and participate in the missions marathon. But then we also served food in the dining hall and volunteered to watch children in the nursery. And it was just our boys and another family or two... but what happened afterwards we could never have imagined... 

That family we got to know from serving in the nursery, started praying for us, then started supporting us financially and just yesterday reached out to say that they would like to increase their giving by 50%. And as my husband commented this is #whyyouvolunteertobabysitatcampmeeting 

But it wasn't why we volunteered. We saw a need and we knew we could meet it. and after that the camp meeting realized they could be serving the kids at camp more (which is always a good thing. kids are people too). 

And you know that adorable toddler in the nursery we took care of? She says she has been having dreams lately that God is calling her to the mission field. just maybe in part because we said yes to God and volunteered in the nursery at camp meeting (and of course mostly because her parents are raising her well and are pumped about missions). Our kids are watching. What gets you excited? Where are you investing your money?

He is always up to something bigger when we say yes to Him! 

So, volunteer in the nursery- you don't know what seeds of faith you will plant in those tiny lives. See a need and meet it. And if you're a missionary- please volunteer for something besides preaching on missions night- it's the relationships that matter.

Video Update

This was shared at Sicklerville UMC today!  God is on the move and we're eager to return to Uganda.  Is He calling you to join our team?  Click here to join our prayer team and here to set up a recurring or one-time gift.

Every little bit helps

"I don't have enough money to give to missions; my budget is tight enough as it is."

"The need is too big; $5 isn't even a drop in the bucket."

"I'm just a kid; I can't support a missionary."

We all say hear these excuses all the time.  Somehow we've gotten it into our heads that if we can't give $100/month or send large gifts to missions, then it isn't worth trying. But those are lies from the enemy. 

Giving isn't about us.  It isn't about a dollar amount.  It's about our heart.  It's about doing our part- no matter how small.

We were at a church picnic for missions last week, and God knocked our socks off with a gift.  It was awesome!

The givers: two boys.

The amount: $8 {in pennies}.

The heart: All the kids were told that they would get one penny for each water balloon piece they picked up after the water games.  They picked up a lot of popped balloons!  And then they cashed them in and asked if we could use the money towards our mission!  YES! 

The lesson: Every little bit helps.  You can give what you have.  The smallest task with a big heart is HUGE in the kingdom of God.  Picking up water balloon pieces doesn't look like much in the eyes of the world- neither does $8- but God is going to do something awesome because of this gift.  And I have a hunch that this is just the beginning of their missions journey!

Is there something God is asking you to do that you felt was to small?  Be obedient!  Obedience is priceless.

Also giving a shout-out to Cherry Run Camp Meeting missions marathon Water Balloon-Palooza:  this camp rounds up all the staff (including the missionaries) in a gladiator style ring, and buy water balloons to soak the staff.  All the money raised from the water balloons goes towards their missions program!  All it takes is thinking outside the box and you can make a difference!

Wednesday With Molly

We love summer camp! What a joy it was to partner with Cherry Run Camp out in Western PA for their annual camp this year. Cherry Run is a very traditional camp meeting in the sense that there is a lot going on for all ages throughout the week. We were given the opportunity to speak to the youth each morning in their missions class. We loved hanging out with the youth and enjoyed our times together (two classes each day: one for middle school and one for high school). Our discussion focused on Kyle Idlemans book “Not a Fan” and we discussed what being a true follower of Jesus is like. I want to introduce you to someone who is acting out her call to follow Jesus.

Molly was one of the high school girls we got to know and spend time with. She was always involved in the discussion and we could tell she was taking it seriously. On our last full day of camp Molly came up to Kelly and handed her a wad of cash. Molly explained to Kelly that just before coming to camp she cashed her most recent paycheck and felt Jesus telling her to give it to us because her plans for spending it focused mostly on ice cream. Jesus told her that what is happening in Uganda is where the money should go and so Molly obeyed. How awesome is that!? We love seeing students obey the voice of Jesus and know that God will bless Molly for her obedience. -Josh

TIA: Driving Across the City

Cows are not that uncommon here.  Their horns are epic.  I still get amazed when I see them in the city.  Traffic Police are also not that uncommon here.  I still get a little nervous when I see them as I drive. 

The other day I was driving across to hang out with my friend Vanessa (who is very pregnant and does not need the stress of driving to my house).  As I assumed would happen- a traffic officer flagged me down and indicated for me to pull over.  I greet her warmly and offer her my driving license so she can confirm my stats.  The rest of the conversation goes something like this:

Officer: How is that tire??
Me: It is fine, thank you. (smile)
Officer:  I have no lunch today.
Me: Oh, I am very sorry.
Officer:  Where is my lunch?  You have my lunch for me?
Me: (realizing I packed boiled eggs to make salad for Vanessa and I) Yes!  Here you go, a cooked egg.  God bless you.
Officer: (smiles) Thank you, sister. You may go.
Me: Thank you. Good day.

Relief pours over me, as that could always go much worse than it did.  Caleb asks- "Why did you give that lady our food?".  And I reply, "Because we share our blessings."  She could have asked for a million different things- school fees, a bribe, my sunglasses, etc.  But she asked for lunch.  And I had food.  Isn't that just God's way?  If we're paying attention, He can use us to be a blessing. 

Who can you bless today?  What need lies in front of you that you can meet?

Teaching Kids to Serve: Friday Five Links

This Summer I've been thinking a lot about the qualities we want to instill and nurture in our boys.  At the end of the school year I took note of the ways they were growing and learning.  But I also want to be intentional as a parent.

So I started to ask:  What character traits are we cultivating?  What values are we instilling in them?  What am I modeling?  When am I actively training and teaching them? 

Today I want to highlight one value-  {serving}.  You mean, just because we're missionaries we actually have to teach our kids about service?  Yes.  And we have lots of room for growth.  As we were sitting in traffic the other day, a girl with a baby on her back came to our car window.  She was begging.  And I avoided making eye contact.

There are many conflicting views on how to respond to poverty- but in that moment I knew that Jesus would have reached out and not turned away.  A ton of kids begging on the street are working for someone who will take all the money they get.  And I don't want to reward begging, but I can't ignore them... "if you've given a cup of cold water to the least of these, you've given to Me..." I'm wrestling with this.  Asking how He would have me respond.

All that to say- teaching our kids to serve is vital.  And that is what prompted this post.
 
Serving is helpful on so many levels:

• it takes focus off of self.
• it grows compassion 
• it makes them grateful
• it gives children an avenue to show love for God and for others
• it teaches them responsibility

Here are five great links with ideas of how to get your kids serving and growing!

• The Reason We Serve
• 19 Ways to Serve
• Mighty Warriors Club
• 7 Ideas for a Stay At Home Mission Trip
• Reach Out from your Doorstep

 {How do you respond to beggars?  How does your family serve your community?} 

Live as Light

"Arise, shine; for your light has come!  For the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." -Isaiah 60:1

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:1-8 

Candles flickering.  Scent diffusing throughout the room.  Filling.  Glowing.  Warming.  Dispelling the darkness.


Shine!  Our Light has come!
Be imitators of God. 
Be loved.  Love. 
Give. Give thanks. 
Light.  Live as children of light.


What does that look like in this dark world?  What does that look like at Christmas?  In your hometown?  In Uganda? 


No impurity.  No greed.  No foolish talk.  No idols.  But rather, thanksgiving.  

As we wait on Him, One who came down all for love, He comes to us.  He spreads His love abroad in our hearts.  And we can give that love away.  We don't have to wonder if there will be enough left for us- He takes care of those who give!  We cannot out-give God.  And so we look for ways to love and give and light this weary world, like baby diapers and rice under our Christmas tree.  Our gifts to those who have nothing. 

For us, we are reaching out to a nearby babies home.  The boys and I went to the babies home on Monday to love on the babies.   We wanted to reconnect, since we hadn't been there since summer, and to find out what their needs are.  The boys aren't really connected to need in a real way, and nor are they capable of truly comprehending.  But this was our introduction.  And it was good. And hard.  These babies, in a full house, with lots of aunties, yet all alone.  And it breaks my heart that I can't take even just one of them home.  To our real home, with Christmas tree and cookies, with love and joy and brother-fights, and hope.  But we will do what we can.  And I'll play this song and this song over and over this Christmas. 

I love watching Seth in action- he loves babies.  Caleb isn't quite sure.  So mostly he just handed toys to babies.  And played with the toys.  But it's a first step;  it's a part we can play, and they will grow into it.  I'm excited about that!

What first steps are you taking this year to be light and give Christmas love away?

Advent Resources

I love putting great resources in your hands for advent- how to make the season meaningful and missional!  Today you have the awesome opportunity to buy Truth in the Tinsel for only $2.99! 

Want to start teaching your children about the true meaning of Christmas? Amanda at impressyourkids.org has written Truth in the Tinsel; an advent devotional that teaches the main characters of the Christmas story, using age-appropriate lessons and a creative craft ornament to make with your child!  Decorate your tree with the true meaning of Christmas this year! Because aren't our kids our first mission??

Ann Dunagan, author of The Mission-Minded Family, has a series of Christmas posts with lots of great ideas for making this Christmas more missional! 

Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree devotional from last year- looking forward to doing it again this year with my boys!  And this post- Who's birthday is it really?  A must read.

And I love this post on how to have a radical Christmas!  

Advent begins next week!  How are you preparing?  How will you give the love of Christ this Christmas?

"I was hungry..."

A Hymn of Faith
Though the fig tree may not blossom,  
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Thouh the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,  
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength;  
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.” 

-Habakkuk 3:17-19

As I see effects of drought, famine, poverty, I pray that God’s people in Uganda, Kenya, Somalia would be able to claim this Hymn of Faith.  It is hard to watch people go hungry.  I’m sad that people can’t find work.  There is such need.  And it’s hard to know what to do- there is a guilt, and an ache- to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  And yet, there is knowledge that “hand outs” don’t really help people.  That equipping and training people- empowering them- is the way to truly help them overcome their circumstances and make positive changes.   

So what do we do about the hungry people in Africa?

• We can live modestly, and share our wealth (sponsor a child, donate to Community Health Empowerment, etc).
• We can fast and pray for the hurting and hungry (fasting not only enhances our prayer life, it helps us stand in solidarity with the poor).  Or even just take one day a week and eat rice and beans for dinner- like many around the world- and share the weekly savings that choice brings.
• We can promote awareness of global need in our circles of influence.  Bring global/missions issues to the table at your church, at work, in conversation with friends.
• We can advocate for the poor at the national level.   
• We Can Help: Kenya Famine Relief with WGM 
• We can donate toward relief efforts. Compassion International is also on the ground in East Africa.   

Billy and Joanna Coppedge share their hearts about the great hunger in Northern Uganda.

image from fews.net