Imagine when you get home from work this evening that you are forced to leave your house and you can only take possessions that would fit in a trash bag that you can carry. How would that make you feel? Would you be able to do it? What would you take? Where would you go?
While this might seem like a far-fetched hypothetical situation — for refugees and people in extreme poverty, this is a very real, scary and sad scenario.
Beginning today, some of our high school students are going to get to see first-hand what a life of true poverty is like while on the Wichita Missions Trip. They will sleep on the floor in a church, learn what resources are available to those in poverty and have to utilize those resources while on the trip. I am super-thankful for their opportunity this week, as I believe getting uncomfortable is important in our individual journeys of faith.
Later this fall, Hope is going to partner with HopeNet to host a Bridges out of Poverty class for anyone interested in getting uncomfortable and learning more about poverty and the ways in which we as the church can better understand and help out. Stay tuned for more details on that in the coming months.
Also, our Ride4Refugees team is currently riding border to border in an effort to raise funds for refugees — those who have been displaced from their homes due to circumstances beyond their control. They fled with only what they could carry. Many are forced out of their country and have to learn how to navigate in a new culture with a language they don’t speak. I truly can’t imagine the weight of that on an individual.
In speaking to the ride and how the team is approaching this epic undertaking, Pastor Steve shared these thoughts:
“I did share with our crew right before we headed out from Brownsville, how I have been praying through Exodus 14:21-22. Asking our Father to make a path for us as we drive and ride. To clear a path with weather, traffic, and whatever. It has been a great visual for me. Why not? God is still God. He has made a way for us through Jesus… he has taken all of us refugees and put us on the right path through this sinful world taking us to the Promised Land of being home with Him in His House. As we ride and Hopesters give… through Jesus and Heart for Lebanon we are making a way for the 4,500 refugee and marginalized families they work with every month.â€
I love this illustration of a path. Jesus gave us a path back to the Father. Jesus has a path for each and every one of us, whether we are in poverty, a refugee or are sitting comfortably in our homes. We have true hope and refuge in Him alone. And the only way to successfully do this is to remain in Him. We’ll talk more about that this coming week and see how we can bear much fruit for the Kingdom when we do.
Please be praying for our high schoolers and our Ride4Refugees team this week.
Peace,
Charlie
While this might seem like a far-fetched hypothetical situation — for refugees and people in extreme poverty, this is a very real, scary and sad scenario.
Beginning today, some of our high school students are going to get to see first-hand what a life of true poverty is like while on the Wichita Missions Trip. They will sleep on the floor in a church, learn what resources are available to those in poverty and have to utilize those resources while on the trip. I am super-thankful for their opportunity this week, as I believe getting uncomfortable is important in our individual journeys of faith.
Later this fall, Hope is going to partner with HopeNet to host a Bridges out of Poverty class for anyone interested in getting uncomfortable and learning more about poverty and the ways in which we as the church can better understand and help out. Stay tuned for more details on that in the coming months.
Also, our Ride4Refugees team is currently riding border to border in an effort to raise funds for refugees — those who have been displaced from their homes due to circumstances beyond their control. They fled with only what they could carry. Many are forced out of their country and have to learn how to navigate in a new culture with a language they don’t speak. I truly can’t imagine the weight of that on an individual.
In speaking to the ride and how the team is approaching this epic undertaking, Pastor Steve shared these thoughts:
“I did share with our crew right before we headed out from Brownsville, how I have been praying through Exodus 14:21-22. Asking our Father to make a path for us as we drive and ride. To clear a path with weather, traffic, and whatever. It has been a great visual for me. Why not? God is still God. He has made a way for us through Jesus… he has taken all of us refugees and put us on the right path through this sinful world taking us to the Promised Land of being home with Him in His House. As we ride and Hopesters give… through Jesus and Heart for Lebanon we are making a way for the 4,500 refugee and marginalized families they work with every month.â€
I love this illustration of a path. Jesus gave us a path back to the Father. Jesus has a path for each and every one of us, whether we are in poverty, a refugee or are sitting comfortably in our homes. We have true hope and refuge in Him alone. And the only way to successfully do this is to remain in Him. We’ll talk more about that this coming week and see how we can bear much fruit for the Kingdom when we do.
Please be praying for our high schoolers and our Ride4Refugees team this week.
Peace,
Charlie