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We are afraid of pain.
“The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.”
C.S. Lewis was, in my book, a very wise man. I was fishing through some quotes, and came across this one a few minutes ago and it really hit me that this quote makes me think of Simi Valley. Heck, it makes me think of the USA in general, but specifically the community I’m surrounded by.
The news on TV and on the interwebs wasn’t necessarily rife with information on the Kampala bombings on Sunday. In fact, Katie Couric spent a few minutes talking about it (and I mean, FEW) and then proceeded to do a special on…poker? COME ON! I realize that reporters and news personalities don’t usually get to pick what assignments they have to report on, but honestly. More than 70 people die, more injured, and all you can afford to spend on it is a few minutes of “oh how sad”?
Us in America don’t understand suffering. Ok, that’s a broad generalization that probably isn’t fair. There IS suffering, there is grief, pain, heartache, and unbelievable trials that people go through every day in this country. But when was the last time that you went to the grocery store, past the armed guards, just waiting for a IED to go off or a sniper to take you out as you cross an intersection? I’m guessing not very recently.
As a Christian living in the comforts of suburbia in California, I don’t know what it is like to truly suffer. I have had trials, have had hardships and grief, but I can not say with honestly that I have SUFFERED. I haven’t lost any family members to senseless acts of violence, I have not feared for my safety or that of my family’s when I go into a church service on any given day.
This isn’t intended to be a guilt trip, but more of a wake-up call. We have brothers and sisters living in terror, fear, and squalor around the world right now. We are 91% of the world’s richest people. What if we decided to sell all we own, sell our homes, live in a smaller space, live less comfortably, just so we know that our family across the ocean, across the border, would have a meal in their belly and clean water to drink in the morning?
How can we help?
Here are some resources:
a prayer request
I got this in an email today from Francis Chan - It’s from a pastor in the Punjab Region in India.
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Please Pray!
- There are significant violent clashes occuring between Christians and RSS members (militant anti-Christian Hindus) beginning this past day and threatening to increase.
· Numerous church facilities have been attacked, some destroyed. The Batala train station has been attacked, beating the train station computers, gathering on the tracks, and stopping railway service. There is a massive stike in Punjab today (they are 13.5 hours ahead of us), affecting bus service and closing shops. Police are telling Christians to not leave their homes to go to church meetings (it is Sunday morning there right now), as they are saying it is too dangerous. There were even threats printed in today’s newspaper that they will find Christian children and burn them. I would not dare use such rhetoric to create drama — these threats against the children were actually read in the newspaper by one of our ministry team members who I talked with a few minutes ago.
· This is a very serious situation that can easily grow into a bigger problem. One Christian has already been killed and many have been beaten. The RSS has been threatening, during this past year, to do in Punjab like they have done in Orissa (if evangelism continues), and I am calling on Christians to pray to God that this will not escalate into such massive violence.
· This is happening right in the center of the towns where our ministry is based in Punjab. I have talked with three of our leaders in Punjab over the past hour, and each of them are giving first hand accounts of the seriousness of this situation. Please pray!
· These problems started because Christians were protesting the public publishing of an insulting picture representing Jesus. It appears some Christians got out of hand, and now the RSS is using this as an excuse to go completely wild.
· Pray for all Christians to be graced with the power of the Holy Spirit to resist lashing out in any ungodly type of protest. Pray for all the Christians to be bold and humble in remaining faithful to God through this situation, to learn from Him, and to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Pray for the unreasonable backlash of radical militants to come under control, and for the protection of all men, women and children from violence. Pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be with the believers in Punjab during this time.
· Please take a moment to pray now, as right now the tensions are great, the threats against our fellow believers are real, and forces of darkness are craving to use this time to stir up violence from people who living in confusion and darkness.
· Please also pray for the militant anti-Christian people, that they would somehow see, by the power of God, their need for salvation, and recognize the salvation offered to them through Jesus Christ who died for each of them. After all, isn’t that one of the main reasons we are on earth right now, to see the “walking dead” brought to life through Jesus Christ, thereby bringing God the glory He deserves? Pray for the hearts of Christians to be turned in compassion towards those God has sent them to be a witness to!
this is not for the faint of heart, and i would suggest that adults watch it before they decide to let their children watch it. it is a raw, real, and graphic call to pray for our brothers and sisters that are in persecution in India. pray before you watch it, and pray after. although, i can’t see how you would want to do anything BUT pray after seeing it.
happenings
I’m selling handmade spoon bracelets to help support a few of my friends who are going overseas to do ministry. One of those friends is Christine Waldersen. She’s from the East Side, and has met with various community gatherings all over Simi Valley, and even out to Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch. She’s hoping to move to Thailand with Overseas Mission Fellowship. Also, I’m having lunch today with a friend who is currently trying to raise support to go do ministry in Marseilles, France with Christar. Hopefully I’ll be able to post some info about what he’s going to be doing, how much he needs raised, prayer requests, and how to help support him after our lunch today.
The bracelets are $20 each, or you can get them custom engraved for $5 more. That seems expensive, but just think of how often we drop $20 on a coffee and pastry in the morning followed by a lunch at Panera Bread. It adds up when you think that if you just skipped getting coffee for a week, you could buy a bracelet. Or even two. And let’s just be honest, we live in Simi Valley, California. One of the most ridiculously expensive places in North America. We can afford $20 worth of crap, why can’t we afford $20 to help send a brother or a sister to another country?
And just so you’re not worried that I’m gonna go televangelist with the money I get for them, I’ll have monthly updates of how much I raise, and 80% or more will straight into donations to Christar and OMF, while the remainder is used to buy more spoons to make more bracelets. I won’t be keeping any of the money for myself. It’s strictly me giving you a bracelet in return for a donation that 1)supports the missionaries and 2)sustains production. i’ll have pictures of some of the finished products w/ packaging and info card, but here are a few of ones I have made before.
Mr. Rogers I am not.
The title of the blog may be a little misleading, but I feel like it conveys the spirit of what I’m trying to throw together here. Complete with cozy indoor-and-outdoor cardigans, ties, and changes of shoes. But you won’t find any of those little puppet people here, those are just dang CREEPY.
Mainly, this is just meant to be a means of somewhat-effective communication of what is going on in our surrounding neighborhoods. I’d like to see posts on here announcing events, activities, needs, prayer requests, and even funny stories about random wild animals taking up residence where they are unwelcome (Like ducks in the pool. Go away! Your poop and feathers clog the filter!!).
If you are from East Simi, but outside of our little bitty area - Flanagan and the surrounding streets up that hill - you are more than welcome to read the blog and hang out with all of us! But also consider doing something like this for your neighborhood too (provided this works…because this could totally be a flop. i refuse to be pessimistic, this is only post #1!)
So lets get going! email suggestions, requests, and other things to:
eastsideneighbors[at]gmail.com
Please don’t send any of those dumb “pass this on or your not blah blah blah” or “forward to 10 people before you get hit by an angry rhino” things. I’ll find out where you live and give your children shots of espresso and pointy sticks.
