may we never grow weary

     Over the weekend one of my favorite poets, Jonny Sun, announced the release date for his newest book that had recently been made available for pre-order.

     Many of his fans and followers replied to his tweet with excitement, giving him words of praise for his accomplishment. Although many had already pre-ordered the book when they responded, there were quite a large handful of his fans that were not in a place to be able to purchase the book at the moment but they still expressed their excitement for it to be sold used or put on sale. Jonny, having once been in this position himself, tweeted out a proposition: If you could not afford the book or were willing to purchase the book for someone who couldn't buy it, you would reply to his tweet and connect with someone. He even stressed the importance of staying safe during the whole ordeal and making the transaction over an Amazon wishlist which keeps your address anonymous.

     Seeing his tweet I felt compelled to buy this book for someone who needed it. So I began my search through all the replies until I found someone who could not afford the book and privately messaged them. I was able to connect with this girl through our similar interests not only in Jonny's poetry but in music and other literature. She was constantly thanking me as I kept her updated on the process of buying the book for her. She told me she had never been shown more compassion and was eternally grateful I was able to do something like that for her. All I asked of her was that she pay it forward whenever she was able and she readily agreed.

     I'd like to think God was smiling down on the interactions between countless book-lovers coming together to buy each other a book about loneliness. My heart is full of joy for simply doing something good. Something I was blessed to be able to afford at the moment.

     As Christ followers we are called to give to the poor and never tire of doing good for others. We are called to love our neighbors, that's it. And how easy that is to do. People from all walks of life gave willingly to others not expecting anything back. Imagine if everyone you came in contact with was as compassionate as those willing to buy a book for a stranger. How great a world that would be.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall real a harvest if we do not give up."
 Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

not the only missionary

     As my first international mission trip approaches (Costa Rica, whoo whoo!!) I'm reflecting and revisiting the awesome experience that I had on my first mission trip last year to Red Bird in Kentucky.

     Red Bird is a small and poor community deep in the mountains of Kentucky and the missionaries who gather are given the awesome opportunity to work up close and personal with the locals in need of God's Grace. You get to work with one family for the ENTIRE week and you get to know all the little details of the family you serve, like how miss Hazel saved each and every one of her animals. You get to build a relationship with their family, maybe over karaoke to Coal Miner's Daughter with miss Hazel's very own daughter.

     Through the week, as you finish your project, you are given the blessing of seeing the direct impact you made on their lives. You see the pure and unabashed joy and thankfulness that pours out through their words and actions as you leave for the final time.

     But something you don't see (and often don't see for weeks after your mission) is the direct change in you. You have spent so long reliving every moment of the trip to everyone who will listen and when you finally think you've said all you can say and your ready to move on, there's Hazel and her daughter pulling your heart back towards Kentucky.

     The people you serve and meet on your mission have an everlasting effect on you. You find yourself praying for their family and community daily and your worship grows so much louder and prouder because you had an encounter with such a loving family. Although missions are taken to serve those in need, those in need are often given an unknown chance to serve you and  become a missionary themselves. ALL of God's people our capable of spreading his love and whether intentionally or not, the residents of Kentucky will forever hold my heart.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)