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GregBoyd
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 1818

Posted 1/3/2002 4:57 PM (GMT -6)

Just returned from our 9 day Haiti missions trip today. A few reflections:

1) If you're remotely middle class American (or any first world country) you're filthy RICH by global standards -- and by historical standards. So you and I must ask, "what does the Lord require of us?" "To whom much is given, much is required." We just got LUCKY, since there's no reason why we're born in a first world country rather than a 3d world country. And the only relevant question is: How much are you going to cash in on your good luck for your own benefit?

I always come back from Haiti with a raised awareness of the many many many passages in Scripture that call us to take responsibility for the hungry and oppressed.

2) The ministry I'm a part of (Providence Ministries -- note that guardians) supplies a home, food, schooling and Christian parental love for some very underpriviledged Haitain kids who otherwise wouldn't have it. It also sponsors about 300 kids going to school. And we're thinking about linking up with another food program. Most of our time was spend with the kids in our home or kids in a future food program.

I'll tell you this: When you're holding an adorable three year old child whose belly is hard and extended, whose got worms, whose hair is orange from malnourishment, and whose only meal is the glass of protein drink you're giving her that moment, it REALLY makes you question a great deal of what the American evangelical church spends a great deal of its time and money on. What really matters? How many kids could have their lives prolonged, and maybe even hear the gospel, with a single $10,000 ornamental chandaleer hanging from an already overly ornate church temple?

3) My ministry team is my small group ("covenant group," "cell group" "house church" etc.). Experiences like this are bonding. I wish every believer had a group like this. I'm really a rather anti-social person by nature: but I've learned the value, joy, fulfillment, growth, and necessity of intimate friends. I'm convinced that THIS is the basic unit of the body of Christ.

4. I can't believe how much activity has happened on this site in the last week! (I thought this would be a down week, newyears and all!@). I don't know where to begin to try to jump in!

Good to be back.

Doc

"Three is the magic number, oh yes it is, it's the Magic Number" - De La Soul

n/a
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 218

Posted 1/3/2002 7:14 PM (GMT -6)

Welcome back Dr. Boyd

quote:
4. I can't believe how much activity has happened on this site in the last week! (I thought this would be a down week, newyears and all!@). I don't know where to begin to try to jump in!

You should check out the open view thread

, I think some pretty good topics have been started.
God Bless
Paul

Our natural greatness is seen as part of God's image, and that natural greatness has been conferred on us to enable us to achieve our supernatural destiny:to be related to God and to obey him freely.---Diogenes Allen

trosie
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 550

Posted 1/4/2002 1:29 AM (GMT -6)

quote:
What really matters? How many kids could have their lives prolonged, and maybe even hear the gospel, with a single $10,000 ornamental chandaleer hanging from an already overly ornate church temple?

One of the residents at the senior living facility we lead a bible study at commented the other day on how she thought it so sad and wasteful that people so freely spend their money on going to the movies (many of which do nothing to edify the soul) when instead people could be using the money to support missionaries and mission work. Yet if one is to feel a guilt when paying to see a movie then what about dining out or any of the other luxuries that we Americans are able to afford? It's important to understand our responsibility toward missionary work but it's also important to question the balance. I guess this is where the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit is SO crucial and necessary in helping us make decisions on how to spend and invest our money. Hopefully the leaders of a church would seek the Holy Spirit's leading before purchasing a chandeleer for an "already overly ornate church temple"!

quote:
We just got LUCKY, since there's no reason why we're born in a first world country rather than a 3d world country And the only relevant question is: How much are you going to cash in on your good luck for your own benefit?

On a mission trip back in college I recall driving through the country in Mexico and seeing nothing but what looked like cardboard shacks that were being used as homes for the people. I recall thinking to myself that if my heart broke at the poverty we were encountering on this trip how much more God's heart must break. He NEVER intended for there to be poverty, famine, disease... WHAT A WAR!!! We are all definitely called to take some part in fighting in this battle.

The thing that touched me deeply was seeing the joy that some of the people possessed even in the midst of their poverty. I realized through this encounter that it's NOT the tangible things of this world that bring about true joy and tranquility but a personal, real, loving relationship with the Lord. The pearl of wisdom that I discovered through this college mission trip was that this world is a TEMPORARY stopping ground. The things of this world are temporary therefore even in the midst of hardship, pain, or poverty we are given the promise that one day all poverty, famine, disease, heartache ... will cease! It's the hope found in the promises of Jesus that can help to make sense out of the pain in this present world. We need to instill this hope in others, especially to people in devastating living situations.

quote:
I always come back from Haiti with a raised awareness of the many many many passages in Scripture that call us to take responsibility for the hungry and oppressed.

I think mission trips are a great way for people to really get a grip on another aspect of this warfare that we are called to fight against.

BTW, WELCOME BACK, DOC!

trosie

"Sometimes when your heart breaks God is the only one who can put it together again." Author Unknown

Mephi2K
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 713

Posted 1/4/2002 11:20 AM (GMT -6)

Dear Dr. Boyd and cohorts,

I used to think that you were a solid thinking pastor. But that has been cast into serious doubt by what you've said. To be blunt...What are you SAYING, man?? Are you actually asking the American church to think about the extremely poor people that live in 3rd world countries? Do you dare to ask people to release themselves of patriotic ethnocentricism for just ONE minute? Then you have the gall to talk about ministries actually doing something practical to help the human condition...AND advocate the promulgation of church "covenantal" groups? Do you realize the danger of what you are asking, you dissenter?!? You are threatening our way of LIFE, you are! Are you so unaware of our society to realize that we churchgoers have finally been able to convince ourselves that the American dream is completely God's way of doing things? Maybe all that reading has gotten too you. Holding one to many of those children, as well. Tsk, tsk...

Surely, you realize that if some of us were to take the time to examine the poverty, suffering, and evil ABROAD that some of our members would begin to ask what they could do about it. NEXT thing you know, they'll be trying to do things about the poverty, suffering, evil that lies HERE IN AMERICA...right next door! But, confound it, what about our new fellowship hall that we were planning? What about the new stained glass windows for the Church? What about the offerings? What if (gasp) people actually contribute MORE money and time DIRECTLY to other extra-church ministries rather than OUR churches? How will we pay for next year's church trip to Disneyworld? Dr. Boyd, I am sorely disappointed in your lack of priorities!

Then look at Trosie. You are an even WORSE case, woman!! You are actually buying into the idea of bypassing church leaders telling you what to contribute where...supposedly acting on a Sprit-led basis? What are you THINKING? Don't you realize that these people don't know what to do (including giving) unless WE leaders tell them what to do?? I think you are taking this archaic "preisthood of all believers" thing WAY too far! Besides, by making people feel GUILTY about being relatively wealthy, but effectively leaving them in the dark about 1) being Sprit led and 2) healthy ministries to contribute to, we enhance our church budgets. Those plush velvet pews with the gold trim don't just grow on TREES, you know.

At base, I think you people have obviously lost sight of what the Kingdom of God stands for. You people are emphasizing the poor, underpriveleged, and helpless. The KOG is about peace, joy, and prosperity...which I value. You people talk about being led by God's spirit. The KOG is about WISDOM to do things (be wise as serpents, He said...)...which I also value. I cannot help that the Kingdom of God happens to so mesh with America's capitalist, democratic values. That's just a bonus. Now, I suggest that BOTH of you poor souls repent for your quite unpatriotic criticism of American evangelical Christianity and make penance. Cash, check, or credit card will be acceptable at your nearest church.

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
Aunt Samantha (Uncle Sam's religiously-inclined Sister)

Mephi2K
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 713

Posted 1/4/2002 11:23 AM (GMT -6)

Yo...

WELCOME

BACK

DOC!!!

Edited by - mephi2K on 01/04/2002 4:24:56 PM

geej
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 93

Posted 1/4/2002 11:51 AM (GMT -6)

We sure are glad to see you back and I'm equally glad that your whole group came back safely. (?)
GJ

churchmouse522
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 163

Posted 1/4/2002 12:15 PM (GMT -6)

Mephi,

Thanks for putting Doc in his place.

Seriously though, before I actually went to Haiti for the first time my friend who started the ministry used to try to tell me about it. I sincerely didn't get what she was talking about. (Not that I get it now.) But now this ministry is such a huge part of my life. Come on - Let's all get a little crazy.

And GEEJ,

Yep, we all got back safely (if you don't count intestinal problems and zillions of bug bites.) Thanks again.

Mouse

"We're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy." Seal

Triskal
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 198

Posted 1/4/2002 8:48 PM (GMT -6)

Welcome back Doc! It's amazing when you think about the huge contrast between our country and places like Haiti. There's a lot of harsh reality to deal with when you get past the thick walls of comfort our country has around it.

"In Him we live and move and have our being" - Acts 17:28

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