Just Neighbors

Do you ever think about who is your neighbor? At my job I deal with issues of disaster relief and sustainable community development on an international level. As a result, it is very easy for me to get wrapped up in thinking about my neighbors as those over "there" and forget that I have neighbors who are "here" as well. In preparation for a Habitat Blitz Build that will occur this spring, I have been reviewing a curriculum called "Just Neighbors". I find it to be extremely thought provoking but not only that, it also makes me want to act. My neighbors who live right "here" are living in poverty and I am failing if I do not confront the injustices associated with it. Check out the materials at http://www.justneighbors.net/

Love in India

I went on a two week trip to India in the beginning of December. The lessons I learned about how to show Christ's love tangibly will not soon be forgotten. Here is an article I wrote for my church newsletter that talks about how our simple, daily decisions can make an impact. What will you do today?

Eating Rice and Beans Provides Blankets for an Indian Village

Every two weeks a group from the contemporary congregation meets together to share a simple meal of rice and beans. The idea behind the dinner is to raise awareness that many in the world are limited to this food choice day after day. Instead of gathering and spending money to eat out in a local restaurant, the attendees chip in the saved funds into a corporate bean can. The money that is collected is then distributed to local and global charities, including causes such as the crop walk.

The most recent contributions were gathered for the trip that Natalie Perdue and Julie Justus went on to India. They gave the money to Leena Lavanya, the woman that they went to visit in Andhra Pradesh. Leena has started several ministries that meet the spiritual and physical needs of the marginalized in the surrounding communities. Among her ministries are an AIDS Hospice, a home for lepers, an AIDS orphanage and a sewing school for women who are coming out of prostitution.

The money that was given by the rice and beans participants was used to purchase blankets for those living in a small village near Leena’s home. The villagers spend their days begging in order to have enough food to eat. Leena normally brings rice to them but this month they had asked for blankets. Their homes are simple huts and no electricity is available to the community and so the blankets will be useful in keeping them warm during the colder winter month. They gathered together when the team arrived and Leena led in the distribution. The experience was touching as each family came up to receive the Christmas gift. It is amazing how the simple act of eating rice and beans can show the love of Christ on the other side of the world.