I usually keep up to date with Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer and Sophie aka Boomama. And I knew (and was insanely jealous) that they were going to Uganda with Compassion International. Live blogging about the lives of children who need love and Jesus? That’s my kinda gig.
For whatever reason, I missed out on their posts when they left for Uganda. I guess it was when my internet was acting all selfish. I glanced at their sites the other day but knew I didn’t have time to sit down and spend the time I needed with them. Now it’s Saturday, Les is playing golf and Lydia is napping. I knew it was time for me to visit Uganda.
I have now read all of Shannon‘s posts, all of Sophie‘s and most of the rest of the Uganda Bloggers.
And I’ve been sobbing.
Sobbing because although I KNOW that there is poverty and children living without parents and without food and without medical care and WITHOUT Jesus, I still complain about my bed. I still buy an extra set of dishes when they’re 50% off at Target. I still dislike Lydia’s plush carpet in her playroom. I still wish I had another pair of jeans that fit!
And I know being guilted into caring about poverty is not the point. But you know what? It is! If we don’t know about the poverty, we’ll never do anything about it! Playing on our emotions is the right thing to do! We are SO blessed and SO rich here it would be hard for even the most selfless of people to focus on someone 8000 miles away!
I heard an awesome quote from Sara Groves about this very thing. (It’s not a direct quote, it’s just from memory.)
When I see tragedy in the world, I no longer wonder, “Where is God?” I wonder, “Where are God’s people?”
WHERE ARE GOD’S PEOPLE?
I think most of us sit here and blame God for poverty. We do. We think if God was really loving, He’d do something about AIDS and hunger.
But what are we doing?
What are we doing?!
This is one of those things that can go overboard. Les and I have enough money we could sell half of everything we owned, including one of our cars and still live like kings in comparison to the kids in Uganda. I’m not suggesting God is expecting us to do that. (He might be…) But the point is, we CAN do SOMETHING.
And as soon as Les gets home we’re going to search through the faces of the children who need us. They need our money. Period. They need food, they need love, they need support, they need Jesus. And my 32 bucks a month can bring that to them.
THIRTY-TWO DOLLARS.
I think it will be 32 holy dollars. And I do not say that lightly or flippantly. I think God will use that money to make an eternal difference in the life of a child.
Please go read the blogs. Look at the pictures. Watch the videos. Listen.
annie says
I’ve been reading the posts too, and I have been moved in the same way Amanda. We are God’s people. We are here.
bee says
I’ve been reading them too. And crying. I announced to HH last night that I thought we should adopt a kid (obviously not even thinking that he was not reading the post as I was and had no clue what I was talking about). Once he quits twitching, I think I’ll explain to him what I meant. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Doing your bit is a great place to start 😉
Good for you!
Amy says
Thank you for sharing these blogs, Amanda. I’ve just gotten done reading BooMama’s blog. Makes me feel ashamed for complaining about my fun down place. No matter how run down I might think it is, these kids are a lot worse off than me! Thanks for the eye opener!
Catie says
I heard about that trip. That Sara Groves quote is soooo true! It’s amazing. I also find myself worried about stupid things like taxes and my major. It’s amazing that I forget those children so easily just because I can’t see them. I have not went and read any of the blogs yet, but even you’re blog about it made me cry. I’ve been thinking about it lately, and I want to go oversees so bad. I’ve decided that that’s what I want to do with my nursing degree. People hear might have to wait in line at the emergency room, but they can get help. There are so many people oversees who can’t even get medical care and a lot of times it’s something that can simply fixed, but they don’t have that option. I love this post! It’s inspirational.
Catie says
That was supposed to be “seas” and “here” I don’t want you to think I’m I can’t write… I’m just trying to do multiple things at once (and it doesn’t work out so well for me) lol
Leigh says
Good for you! In my former life (pre-lids), I used to work for a child-sponsorship agency and got to visit Senegal and The Gambia to see the work that we did. Very moving. Compassion has a wonderful mission and a great reputation in the non-profit world. Your donations will do great work!
Leigh says
um, I have no idea what “pre-lids” is. That was supposed to be “pre-KIDS.” That’s what happens when I’m up with kid #2 in the middle of the night and decide to read blogs!
Megan@SortaCrunchy says
Where are God’s people? That is so powerful.
MorningSong says
Such a great quote!! I love Sara Groves!
It is easy to forget there are people suffering in this world when we are all caught up on how our car is 10 years old, and although in great condition – it isn’t as fancy as the Joneses!
Blessings!
(Happy Blogoversary too!)
Jen says
I’ve been following these too, and it sure has had an impact on me as well! I’m definitely going to sponsor a child…what a little sacrifice to do so much good!
Christi says
I too, have been extremely moved by following along on their trip. I sponsored a child starting last Monday who had been waiting for 6 months to be sponsored, and can’t wait to learn more about him!
Your quote reminded me of the song, “If We Are The Body”….why aren’t His arms reaching? Because we, as God’s body, aren’t doing it!
brandybuzz says
It is amazing having the chance to be a child sponsor. How cool is it that you get to walk with this child through life and still live so far away! I LOVE IT! I started with one and moved to 3 very quickly:) Poverty is a product of the fall. It is up to us to do our part to make things right.
Alexis says
I have known many people who have done the sponsorship thing. I will have to check out the site for myself.
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falownik says
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!