The Question
By Ben
We moved to Capitol Hill when we got married. It was then that poverty and human need ceased to be a story or grim stastic for us, and became a reality. We saw people in need, in need of physical assistance- not just spiritual and emotional help. As we let James 2:15-17 sink into our hearts, we began to feel compelled to love the suffering in our world in tangible and eternal ways.
The we watched Hotel Rwanda, a film about the genocide in Rwanda in the mid 1990's. In one scene, a soldier from the UN describes the West's indifference to the suffering in Rwanda. "People in America will see this story on the evening news. They'll put down their forks long enough to say, 'That's terrible.' Then they'll pick up their forks again, keep eating, and forget about it." That quote brought me to tears, and it still haunts me today. I do not want to be ignorant, indifferent or passive about the suffering of my brothers and sisters across the world. I want to join Jesus in being moved with compassion toward a bleeding and broken world.
Suffering still abounds in the world right now, and Capitol Hill is only the slightest of glimpses of that is happening to those whom God loves. About a week after watching Hotel Rwanda, I came across a quote at the very end of Tony Campolo's book Speaking My Mind. It read simply, "There is a plague of biblical proportions taking place in Africa right now." The plague it refered to was AIDS. The time for indifference had passed.
That quote led us to ask the question, "What can we do?" We are normal, average people. We don't have the wealth of Bill Gates, nor do we posess the celebrity or cool sunglasses of Bono. What can we do?
This question is why we are going. We have been called to experience the answer. Please pray for us - experience can be a cruel teacher.
We moved to Capitol Hill when we got married. It was then that poverty and human need ceased to be a story or grim stastic for us, and became a reality. We saw people in need, in need of physical assistance- not just spiritual and emotional help. As we let James 2:15-17 sink into our hearts, we began to feel compelled to love the suffering in our world in tangible and eternal ways.
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Suffering still abounds in the world right now, and Capitol Hill is only the slightest of glimpses of that is happening to those whom God loves. About a week after watching Hotel Rwanda, I came across a quote at the very end of Tony Campolo's book Speaking My Mind. It read simply, "There is a plague of biblical proportions taking place in Africa right now." The plague it refered to was AIDS. The time for indifference had passed.
That quote led us to ask the question, "What can we do?" We are normal, average people. We don't have the wealth of Bill Gates, nor do we posess the celebrity or cool sunglasses of Bono. What can we do?
This question is why we are going. We have been called to experience the answer. Please pray for us - experience can be a cruel teacher.
posted by The Mongoose Chronicle at 1:46 AM
3 Comments:
Ben, what a touching and articulate expression of your heart (and God's heart). I am so proud of you!! I am with you in prayer, and I really think that Dad is too. We love you!!! MOM
Dear Ben:
Greg and I are so delighted that God chose you for our daughter Alicia. Though your journeys may be arduous and fearful at times, your rewards will be the full measure of your sufferings. Isn't it amazing how faithful God is? Through His family, you were provided just what you needed for this mission, not too much and not too little. We pray for you constantly with the knowledge that God will bless your every effort.
We love you dearly son,
Mom and Dad Nixon
Ben,
Just to let you know we had the baby's one week check up today and everything is going very well. Mom and baby are both very healthy and happy. We are praying for you guys.
Tim
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