About a year ago I heard of this topic and had no understanding of what it meant. That has no changed. In Febuary I went to a training at Elgin Vineyard Church, offered by International Teams Ministry, based here in Elgin, Il. This is a huge problem arounnd the world and on our streets here in Elgin.
God says in the Bible to "walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise for the days are evil". One definition for circumspectly is - adj. Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent. Within that definition for myself I believe in all good conscience I need to pray and put feet to my faith in this arena. I received a newletter yesterday with a song called "I Have A Name" bringing stark awareness to the truth that each victim has a name and in most cases a family badly missing her. http://endslaverytn.org/I_Have_a_Name.htm Will follow with more about this need.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Missions
I have a great love for Missions locally as well as Internationally. At my Church (Elgin Community Church) I am organizing "Mission Moments" to help our congregation learn more and maybe a fire will be lit in their soul to get involved. Today Jim Jodrey from Administer Justice administerjustice.org here in Elgin, Il spoke of the work they are doing to help so many receive Justice. You can read more at their website.
I would so love to have great resources financially to help mission organizations as well as missionaries. It says in scripture that God "owns the cattle on a thousand hills". God is so rich in resources. We are his children and can call on the Lord to meet our needs "according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus). I cry out to the Lord that he will give me the riches to meet needs financially for good works going on to build his Kingdom.
We love you Lord Jesus Christ!
I would so love to have great resources financially to help mission organizations as well as missionaries. It says in scripture that God "owns the cattle on a thousand hills". God is so rich in resources. We are his children and can call on the Lord to meet our needs "according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus). I cry out to the Lord that he will give me the riches to meet needs financially for good works going on to build his Kingdom.
We love you Lord Jesus Christ!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Sisters and Brothers
Thinking about the joy it is to have a close "sister or brother". This has become very meaningful to me as I have gotten to know sisters and brothers who are part of the Lords family the "body of Christ".
Someone who brings joy to my heart, a skip in my step. Someone that I desire to show kindness to. Special ways to make their day happy.
As I write about this I realize this can be my goal with my two brothers and sister who are from my immediate family. This can with joy be my hope with all the people I share life with at Elgin Community Church and people I know in the body of Christ here in Elgin, Il and around the world. This lifestyle promotes joy. Giving someone a Birthday Card or a text to let them know they are loved. Some people I know who are very relational on Facebook. It is a gift.
Just think if each day we nurtured a relationship with a brother or sister. It weaves a fabric that binds us securely together.
Love to all my brothers and sisters.
Someone who brings joy to my heart, a skip in my step. Someone that I desire to show kindness to. Special ways to make their day happy.
As I write about this I realize this can be my goal with my two brothers and sister who are from my immediate family. This can with joy be my hope with all the people I share life with at Elgin Community Church and people I know in the body of Christ here in Elgin, Il and around the world. This lifestyle promotes joy. Giving someone a Birthday Card or a text to let them know they are loved. Some people I know who are very relational on Facebook. It is a gift.
Just think if each day we nurtured a relationship with a brother or sister. It weaves a fabric that binds us securely together.
Love to all my brothers and sisters.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Put Action To Our Faith
This is a followup to the Oct 1st piece I submitted that Don wrote while in Uganda. I pray that each one of us will take action with our Faith. I know that God Almighty will honor and bless our actions.
Men of Willow Water Project
October2011 Update
To the Men of Willow, Our Friends and Family,
This is our update for October 2011. You play an integral part in getting this message out. Don't let it stop with you. Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested. For more information about this project, visit us at http://menofwillow.com.
As of this date we have received $23,429 toward our goal of $30,000 to fully fund our second solar- powered water-purification system through our partner, Water Missions International.
Defending the Gospel
On my return flight from Uganda I found myself in an awkward position. I had a copy of a book entitled “The Book That Transforms Nations.” It is about the power of the Bible to change any country. The man sitting two seats over from me asked if he could look at it. After a few minutes he handed it back to me and asked me if I thought China might become a Christian nation someday. I said I had hopes that it could to which he replied, “I hope not.” He then began to give a dissertation on why he thought that the Bible offers no practical help for the suffering. He cited American attitudes ( from a supposed “Christian nation”) that he claimed did much more harm than good, things such as questionable foreign trade policies, the hypocrisies of those who claim to live by the Bible, and the futility of faith to make any practical difference. He said the real answers come only from the field of psychology.
It was then I knew I was in trouble. If I could, I would have got Tony Campolo on the line and handed the phone to this guy. Tony would have set him straight. But it was just me and him with a fellow sitting between us (an American) who offered a little support. It became obvious that this man was intellectually superior to me. (Contrary to what some may give me credit for, I just ain't that smart.) Like Nehemiah, I whispered a pray to God: “Help!!!” I felt like David against Goliath. But along with David, I believed our cause was worth defending. I just didn't have any stones handy. Or did I?
I pointed out that the majority of humanitarian aid around the world is from people and organizations that are inspired and motivated by Biblical principles. I gave him the example of what the Men of Willow had done in Ndejje and that we were close to funding another water project. I told him we did this in response to the Bible's influence on our lives. I then asked him what he, as an individual, was doing to make a difference; was he part of the solution or part of the problem? He had to admit his efforts were quite limited. I then asked him if he believed in an afterlife... which quickly ended further discussion. I wonder why?
It was a thought-provoking conversation. I have no idea what effect it had on him or the fellow sitting between us, but it has given me a lot to think about. Are we as well prepared as we should be to defend our beliefs? Do we do it by words or actions? The needs are so great and the efforts so inadequate. That is one of the feelings we felt while in Uganda. Everywhere we went we saw poverty and need; yet the people were relatively happy. Maybe it was partly because they have known of no other way of life. But for those we met, there was faith. Not shallow, superficial faith, but genuine, sincere faith. Extreme faith. You could tell by the way they worshiped and prayed. They were aware of their need for better living conditions and they longed for that. But their lack did not affect their faith and joy of life. Yes, there is much hardship and sorrow there, but there is also joy in knowing Jesus and that is what they cling to.
Inadequate
This is one of the words that describe what Bob and I felt when we saw the overwhelming needs in Uganda. Everywhere we went there were people carrying water jugs. They were either going down to get water out of dirty streams, ponds or swamps, or they were coming back with a heavy load of contaminated water. This is a daily task. We are trying to provide one more solar-powered water- purification system. When I saw the need, I thought 10,000 systems would barely make a dent in the overall picture. It seem like so little, for many, too late. From a strictly human perspective, our best efforts offer little hope. But we are not limited to human perspective, are we?
I am reminded of a story that is recorded in all four gospels. It is the story where Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand. And that was just counting the men. John's Gospel tells us that it was “a boy” who provided the five loaves and two fish which Jesus then multiplied to feed thousands. When presented with the need, the disciples thought it impractical for them to come up with the solution. Jesus saw otherwise.
Our approach to promoting the water projects has not been dependent upon our ability to raise funds. We have rarely asked anyone directly to give to this cause. We just inform people of the need and the opportunity to become part of this story. Then we ask God to move in the hearts of those he wants to give to this project. We do our part and God does his. Like the boy with the loaves and fish, what we do seems so little in light of the need. What God does with what we offer is far beyond our comprehension. Out of our hands into his. He turned water into wine, fed multitudes out of a lunchbox, made manna fall from the sky and made water gush forth from a rock in the wilderness. I wonder what he will accomplish with our offering of a solar-powered water- purification system? It is not what we give, but what he does that will really make a difference. We just have the privilege and joy of being a part of the story.
If you are inclined to be part of the story and contribute toward the $ 6,571 still needed to fund the next project you can do so as follows:
For directions on how and where to make your contribution, go to http://menofwillow.com and click on Contributions. Or you can go directly to WMI's online donation page by clicking
https://my.watermissions.org/donate and selecting Men of Willow in the designation box. You can also mail a check to Water Missions International, P.O. Box 31258, Charleston, SC 29417. Write “Men of Willow” in the memo section.
For questions or more information, contact Don Neuman at menofwillow@gmail.com or phone (847) 452-1100.
Men of Willow Water Project
October2011 Update
To the Men of Willow, Our Friends and Family,
This is our update for October 2011. You play an integral part in getting this message out. Don't let it stop with you. Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested. For more information about this project, visit us at http://menofwillow.com.
As of this date we have received $23,429 toward our goal of $30,000 to fully fund our second solar- powered water-purification system through our partner, Water Missions International.
Defending the Gospel
On my return flight from Uganda I found myself in an awkward position. I had a copy of a book entitled “The Book That Transforms Nations.” It is about the power of the Bible to change any country. The man sitting two seats over from me asked if he could look at it. After a few minutes he handed it back to me and asked me if I thought China might become a Christian nation someday. I said I had hopes that it could to which he replied, “I hope not.” He then began to give a dissertation on why he thought that the Bible offers no practical help for the suffering. He cited American attitudes ( from a supposed “Christian nation”) that he claimed did much more harm than good, things such as questionable foreign trade policies, the hypocrisies of those who claim to live by the Bible, and the futility of faith to make any practical difference. He said the real answers come only from the field of psychology.
It was then I knew I was in trouble. If I could, I would have got Tony Campolo on the line and handed the phone to this guy. Tony would have set him straight. But it was just me and him with a fellow sitting between us (an American) who offered a little support. It became obvious that this man was intellectually superior to me. (Contrary to what some may give me credit for, I just ain't that smart.) Like Nehemiah, I whispered a pray to God: “Help!!!” I felt like David against Goliath. But along with David, I believed our cause was worth defending. I just didn't have any stones handy. Or did I?
I pointed out that the majority of humanitarian aid around the world is from people and organizations that are inspired and motivated by Biblical principles. I gave him the example of what the Men of Willow had done in Ndejje and that we were close to funding another water project. I told him we did this in response to the Bible's influence on our lives. I then asked him what he, as an individual, was doing to make a difference; was he part of the solution or part of the problem? He had to admit his efforts were quite limited. I then asked him if he believed in an afterlife... which quickly ended further discussion. I wonder why?
It was a thought-provoking conversation. I have no idea what effect it had on him or the fellow sitting between us, but it has given me a lot to think about. Are we as well prepared as we should be to defend our beliefs? Do we do it by words or actions? The needs are so great and the efforts so inadequate. That is one of the feelings we felt while in Uganda. Everywhere we went we saw poverty and need; yet the people were relatively happy. Maybe it was partly because they have known of no other way of life. But for those we met, there was faith. Not shallow, superficial faith, but genuine, sincere faith. Extreme faith. You could tell by the way they worshiped and prayed. They were aware of their need for better living conditions and they longed for that. But their lack did not affect their faith and joy of life. Yes, there is much hardship and sorrow there, but there is also joy in knowing Jesus and that is what they cling to.
Inadequate
This is one of the words that describe what Bob and I felt when we saw the overwhelming needs in Uganda. Everywhere we went there were people carrying water jugs. They were either going down to get water out of dirty streams, ponds or swamps, or they were coming back with a heavy load of contaminated water. This is a daily task. We are trying to provide one more solar-powered water- purification system. When I saw the need, I thought 10,000 systems would barely make a dent in the overall picture. It seem like so little, for many, too late. From a strictly human perspective, our best efforts offer little hope. But we are not limited to human perspective, are we?
I am reminded of a story that is recorded in all four gospels. It is the story where Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand. And that was just counting the men. John's Gospel tells us that it was “a boy” who provided the five loaves and two fish which Jesus then multiplied to feed thousands. When presented with the need, the disciples thought it impractical for them to come up with the solution. Jesus saw otherwise.
Our approach to promoting the water projects has not been dependent upon our ability to raise funds. We have rarely asked anyone directly to give to this cause. We just inform people of the need and the opportunity to become part of this story. Then we ask God to move in the hearts of those he wants to give to this project. We do our part and God does his. Like the boy with the loaves and fish, what we do seems so little in light of the need. What God does with what we offer is far beyond our comprehension. Out of our hands into his. He turned water into wine, fed multitudes out of a lunchbox, made manna fall from the sky and made water gush forth from a rock in the wilderness. I wonder what he will accomplish with our offering of a solar-powered water- purification system? It is not what we give, but what he does that will really make a difference. We just have the privilege and joy of being a part of the story.
If you are inclined to be part of the story and contribute toward the $ 6,571 still needed to fund the next project you can do so as follows:
For directions on how and where to make your contribution, go to http://menofwillow.com and click on Contributions. Or you can go directly to WMI's online donation page by clicking
https://my.watermissions.org/donate and selecting Men of Willow in the designation box. You can also mail a check to Water Missions International, P.O. Box 31258, Charleston, SC 29417. Write “Men of Willow” in the memo section.
For questions or more information, contact Don Neuman at menofwillow@gmail.com or phone (847) 452-1100.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Childre are a Joy
Men of Willow is a Ministry I value being part of because of the tangible effect it makes in Ndejje, Uganda providing clean water. The website is menofwillow.com. Below is a letter I received from Don and Bob while they are visiting Uganda. Enjoy!
Oli otya. Hi, how are you? The people here are beautiful, inside and out. If you ask me what one thing stands out most that we have experienced on this trip my answer would emphatically be "The Children." I am filled with emotion as I write this. I wish I could either bring them all back home with me or bring you all here to meet them.Tthey are everywhere. It is both heart-warming and heart-breaking. For now I will tell you the good part about that.
As soon as we get out of the vehicle they swarm around us with looks of great excitement on their faces. They don't have their hands out in expectation or asking anything from us.They are not beggars, even though they are living in extreme poverty. They are just amazed to see two "pale faces." We were walking down a street ( it looked more like an alley with washed out deep ruts) and I heard them yelling something. Unlike what you might expect walking through the slums on the south side of Chicago, these were friendly words. They were calling out in sweet voices " hello muzingues, hello". That's a friendly word they use for us white folk. When we turned to look at them they waved at us and giggled. Boy, are they all adorable! They capture your heart. Aim a camera at them and they crowd in together like they are expecting candy to shoot out at them. Then when you show them their picture they jockey for position to get a good look at themselves with such astonishment as if this is the first time they saw a picture of themselves. They get so much joy from this and we do also. I asked our driver to stop for a moment so we could take a picture of some school children at play and he warned us that if we did they would swarm the vehicle to get closer look at us. They did. We loved it and so did they. I think this is how God intended life to be when Jesus said, " let the children come to me." What a shame when the world was robbed of its innocents. I must break the very heart of God whenever a child is mistreated or abused. Jesus said that it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and drowned then to offend these precious children. Here I go getting choked up again. I finding it hard to see the keys when I think about these dear ones.
But my heart is warmed when I think that we helped make the life a little easier and safer for the children in Ndejje. They don't have to spend their days fetching contaminated water from down in the valley. They don't have to drink water that will make them sick. I know that you have heard me say this before but I want to remind you that "clean water is flowing in Ndejje." Along with you, i had seen the pictures, I heard their stories how life was better in their community and how people were hearing about the "Living Water in Jesus." But now, I have seen it in person. I drank from it and it is good.
The people at Glory Center Church and others in the community keep telling us, "thank you and thank the Men of Willow."
What an great privilege and honor for us to be a part of making a difference here in Uganda. We have been exploring locations where the next water system could go as we get closer to raising the funds to do so.
I will close for now with the words we have heard so often on this trip. "Mukama Yay-ba-zee-bway." (Praise the Lord.)
Gratefully yours,
Don & Bob
Oli otya. Hi, how are you? The people here are beautiful, inside and out. If you ask me what one thing stands out most that we have experienced on this trip my answer would emphatically be "The Children." I am filled with emotion as I write this. I wish I could either bring them all back home with me or bring you all here to meet them.Tthey are everywhere. It is both heart-warming and heart-breaking. For now I will tell you the good part about that.
As soon as we get out of the vehicle they swarm around us with looks of great excitement on their faces. They don't have their hands out in expectation or asking anything from us.They are not beggars, even though they are living in extreme poverty. They are just amazed to see two "pale faces." We were walking down a street ( it looked more like an alley with washed out deep ruts) and I heard them yelling something. Unlike what you might expect walking through the slums on the south side of Chicago, these were friendly words. They were calling out in sweet voices " hello muzingues, hello". That's a friendly word they use for us white folk. When we turned to look at them they waved at us and giggled. Boy, are they all adorable! They capture your heart. Aim a camera at them and they crowd in together like they are expecting candy to shoot out at them. Then when you show them their picture they jockey for position to get a good look at themselves with such astonishment as if this is the first time they saw a picture of themselves. They get so much joy from this and we do also. I asked our driver to stop for a moment so we could take a picture of some school children at play and he warned us that if we did they would swarm the vehicle to get closer look at us. They did. We loved it and so did they. I think this is how God intended life to be when Jesus said, " let the children come to me." What a shame when the world was robbed of its innocents. I must break the very heart of God whenever a child is mistreated or abused. Jesus said that it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and drowned then to offend these precious children. Here I go getting choked up again. I finding it hard to see the keys when I think about these dear ones.
But my heart is warmed when I think that we helped make the life a little easier and safer for the children in Ndejje. They don't have to spend their days fetching contaminated water from down in the valley. They don't have to drink water that will make them sick. I know that you have heard me say this before but I want to remind you that "clean water is flowing in Ndejje." Along with you, i had seen the pictures, I heard their stories how life was better in their community and how people were hearing about the "Living Water in Jesus." But now, I have seen it in person. I drank from it and it is good.
The people at Glory Center Church and others in the community keep telling us, "thank you and thank the Men of Willow."
What an great privilege and honor for us to be a part of making a difference here in Uganda. We have been exploring locations where the next water system could go as we get closer to raising the funds to do so.
I will close for now with the words we have heard so often on this trip. "Mukama Yay-ba-zee-bway." (Praise the Lord.)
Gratefully yours,
Don & Bob
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Missions
I serve on the US Board for Joy of a Child in Mbarara, Uganda. joyofachild.net The Ministry cares for at risk childen as well as young women who have been sold into slavery. Please take a look at the website to learn more.
On Nov 19th we will have a 5K "Dash for Dreams" here in Streamwood, Illinois to benefit the Ministry. You can register or sponsor at : http://joyofachild.net/5kevent.html
Thank you for supporting this race!
On Nov 19th we will have a 5K "Dash for Dreams" here in Streamwood, Illinois to benefit the Ministry. You can register or sponsor at : http://joyofachild.net/5kevent.html
Thank you for supporting this race!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Missions
I have a great interest in Missions whether local or overseas.
I know two men who went to Uganda on Friday. Maybe not within their comfort zone but in obeidience to the Lord. Ndjjee, Glory Center Church all because of clean water. The Church serves clean water to the community Christian and Non-Christian alike, and has an opportunity to share the Gospel. The one Water Project is in place and the second project is nearly funded. I am blessed that I heard of this "good work" and that I can help provide clean water. New relationships have grown. A distance of 7600 miles from where I am but tightly bound within the Lords Kingdom.
You can read about the Ministry at menofwillow.com. Do you have Ministries you are interested in?
I know two men who went to Uganda on Friday. Maybe not within their comfort zone but in obeidience to the Lord. Ndjjee, Glory Center Church all because of clean water. The Church serves clean water to the community Christian and Non-Christian alike, and has an opportunity to share the Gospel. The one Water Project is in place and the second project is nearly funded. I am blessed that I heard of this "good work" and that I can help provide clean water. New relationships have grown. A distance of 7600 miles from where I am but tightly bound within the Lords Kingdom.
You can read about the Ministry at menofwillow.com. Do you have Ministries you are interested in?
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