So, here's what I've noticed for years  already and dwell on lately. Our country, and maybe the world, of efficiencies and anonymities can/could/does dehumanize us. With a country and world as big as they are, though, is it possible to humanize things? I know some will say no...but I say yes. 

I try to put a face to mission work and a distant Asian country, on serving and purpose and "poverty" as I tell stories and testimonies. And I like to see light bulbs go on and support emerge... but is this perceived support for me? For a cause? For an issue? For God? Because of love? 

In my core, I long for people to fall in love with God and therefore people. Especially people who are hurting. I want relationships (and neigborhoods and small groups and church) to not be so homogenous, and for those relationships to disturb the way we think and to redefine love. 

These last months I'm not talking about the issue of poverty or the issue of clean water. I'm telling you about a human emergency. With faces. With names. With goofy laughs, tears, and kids to raise. We could have easily been born there instead of here...

And I wonder - there's a scripture that says that what you've done (that's good) for "the least" you've in turn done for Jesus himself. Is the opposite true? Terrible things we do to the least in turn we heap on Christ? (My train of thought here is regarding things like ignoring human needs, buying clothes from sweat shops, participating in voluntourism (dont get me started on this one) that just appeases our consciences for a while, not helping our financially challenged neighbor or our son's friend thats fatherless or widows or orphans or... I don't know... This could go in a very long direction... sorry)

I just want to say out loud that I'm in love with Cambodians. I see myself in them. I see them in me. I see God in them. It's not bizarre. 

For whatever reason 'oh I could never do it' plucks a nerve automatically and I get to rely on grace... and I hope they mean they could never have time to do more because they're helping others already. If you've said this to me and were the recipient of my 'oh! you've tried?' sweet sarcasm, I apologize. Yep, human in need of grace and forgiveness, right here...

All this is to say...to only care about self or immediate family isnt what we were created for... Get to know someone or a group of someones and love them. Let them love you. Do life together. Offer them your spare bedroom. Watch their kids. Pick up extra groceries for them. Move downtown. Pray with them and tell them they're beautiful....