So today I’m frantically running around trying to tie up some loose ends.. .buying gifts for the kids we are sponsoring; setting up an Our Response display at Community Pride Bank; picking up new sponsorship packets (15 now!); and a whole bunch of other stuff to get ready for this trip. I had the pleasure of having lunch with my Mom today, just the two of us for the first time in way too long – we were talking about the trip and I found myself getting teary eyed so many times. Maybe I’m just tired or maybe my heart has caught an earlier flight and is already over there — talking about things like orphanages and African community & generosity made me quite emotional; seeing the gift my mom had prepared for Dantine, the child she is sponsoring that I will be to meet was emotional.
Interestingly I found that my emotions were very different this time as I was talking about the pushback this effort is having from people who feel that we should only be doing stuff here or that we should only be handing out tracts or that the Africans deserve what they have; instead of a bit of anger it was more of sadness as I thought about the fact that anyone would have anything contradictory to say about people trying to feed, clothe, and care for the poorest of the poor. I will admit a little anger when I shared with her that when people tell me we should be doing something here, I typically include in my response to them a question about where they are involved locally. My perception is that there are a number of people sitting on their recliners who have an opinion on where we should be putting our efforts; I agree that not everyone should be involved globally; that there is need locally – but that we should all be doing something; and that those of us who are concerned about the plight of others are all on the same side – it just might look different to each of us.
So, with 2 days to go I’m working out final details and trying to spend time with my family. I am going to try as much as possible to keep this blog rolling; I have people that will help me get stuff onto Facebook and a couple local newspapers who are going to try to keep people update too. Thanks for the encouragement – I look forward to sharing with all of you either 1:1 or at the December 3rd kick-off. Keep it real…