What a fantastic, stupendous policy!!

My friends work for Servants Ministries.  And they have a policy. A policy that says their folks must stay at or below the standard of living of those they're serving.

I absolutely love this.

I love it because I hear the talk about "rich foreigners", I (and others) get offered children to take them to "a better place", and I see the look on their faces when they perceive we're not the same, worlds apart.

(And coincidentally people seem tickled when I say I don't have AC, or a car, or a house helper, or a driver.  To be perceived as "regular" is utmost to me - walking with them is easier when you're not also walking across a chasm that's separating you too.)

I know many organizations and folks would disagree - that it doesn't make a difference - but I'm one who stands by this particular idea.

I spent a few days at my friends' house in a slum community by the city's open sewer while they were away.  I didn't feel threatened, I didn't get sick. I enjoyed their banter, and had perfectly fine running water.

There was a window pane missing in the door - no problem. There was trash everywhere outside - no problem.  The ally smelled like urine - no problem.  The upstairs neighbor's drain ran into the propped open manhole in front of our door - no problem.

We yelled at kids the same way. We laughed at things the same way. We stood up, stretched and popped our backs the same way.

While possibly intimidating to walk into at first, after 5 minutes its hard to imagine having the nerve to say, 'I'm sorry, I'm better than this and I don't want to live and love incarnationally.'  (Yes that's a massive blanket statement - I'll leave it at that knowing there's a whole lot that could be unpacked on both sides. I like to do that sometimes :)  )

I'll keep this short and leave off at that festering last statement.  I'm not saying I'm moving to a slum.

I am however saying its necessary and not as bad as one might think.

As those of us who follow Jesus surrender and mature into being more Christ-like we can say, like Paul, after we've tried, stayed at, and done bizarre things for His glory '.. I've learned how to get along happily whether I have a lot or a little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I've learned the secret of living in every situation..'  Philippians 4:12  And it was worth it.

My "job" trajectory is taking a new course.  I've had a good conversation with my "boss" - a meeting of the minds.

I've served with Alongsiders International (www.alongsiders.org) since Nov 2014.  I've seen God's hand:

- in my own heart as I meet mentors (Alongsiders) and current and former Little Brothers and Sisters,
- in India, Indonesia, and Cambodia as more and more kids have hope and someone walking with them,
- allow my boss to speak at major 4/14 or World Without Orphans conferences to share his God-given vision for caring for vulnerable children,
- expanding and rooting this movement even without our help in Rwanda, Myanmar, Senegal, China, and Pakistan!

Its been a ride! 

And I've worked myself out of a job.

I've taught Karuna - our spunky admin assistant that couldn't afford college but is making herself indispensable based on her abilities instead of book smarts - to run reports, renew insurances, update job descriptions, track receipts, and make better tea and coffee to name a few :)

And I've walked with Darath - our young, lovable office manager - how to create and do staff evaluations, make a budget, use google calendar, and manage his time better. 

Excellent!

So I've been asked to switch to just 10% admin oversight and 90% capacity building. Based on my relationships with staff and language ability he wants them to learn computer, life, health, and spiritual skills that will improve them for their days to come.  

I LOVE this and I'll have to narrow down the 1000 things I want to share.  The window for this is now til August, when the office moves another hour further from my house. And after August?  

Well.  We'll seek God and see.  

    One generation away. From many things, but today in this way.... weaker faith. 

I   I was invited to the engagement ceremony of a neighbor and friend.  She has helped put herself through college, is the 5th of 6 kids, and loves to teach kids Bible songs and Bible stories.

    Her parents have arranged for her to marry a non-Christian. And she’s agreed. Let me note there are several, multiple factors in this, most importantly that in Khmer culture you’re never outside of the influence of your parents no matter the age.

But still. My mind is processing this...

She’s the 3^rd of a handful of ladies lately that love the Lord and have been praying and waiting for a godly husband, yet have accepted their parents' introductions.  

"Do not be unequally yoked.” 

There is an initial disappointment in my (western) heart – that they won’t immediately know the joy of being joined to and in a partnership with a godly leader of their family of 2. But we'll pray hard that this happens. 

Then, there is the point in the conversation where they say ‘but Lori I’ve already talked to him and he says my belief is no problem.’  And while this is a half of a check mark – at least he’s not upset you have a different religion from him – its not a full check mark.

Continuing, ‘… and Lori he says he’ll go to church with me after a year or so.’  Again. The check mark is half drawn based on a promise.

Today I'm talking about faith. It will sound dramatic to some, but its true when 2 opposite opinions or lifestyles join in any capacity. The odds are good that the the majority of the time the joint lifestyle leans the way of the "weaker" link. Nutrition. Travel and socializing. Faith. Spending habits. Savings. Disciplining children.

Their kids will be quick to see the difference in mom and in dad. 

"Do not be unequally yoked, but if you are...."  We're not just left with a command. We're left with a path. 

Hear that I'm not advocating disobedience to parents. 

I am saying that life isn’t cut and dry. I'm saying God understands the thousands of cultures He created. 

And I will pray for heaps of blessings and faith be heaped on these two - that this was a divine appointment from the beginning of time for this fellow to hear Christ's love for the first time.