loaves and fishes and Dukoral shots

So for the yoga fundraiser at Parkwood I had in mind 100 people so that we could raise $1000 (100 people X $10 a person). Prayed about this and left it with God. Well I didn't have 100 physical people on the lawn but many made donations that were not in attendace. So I will call them honorary attendees. Despite having just under 30 people in attendance physically we raised $980.

It reminded me of the accounts of what Jesus did with loaves and fishes supplying enough for everyone in Luke Chapter 9 and there being extra left over. We have enough in our world for everyone it's about distribution and inequity. Trying to turn in my fish and bread when it is asked of me. I'm thinking $20 or more is still out there somewhere.



The other scripture that came to mind was from Revelation 3:15-17(NIV)
"I know your deeds,that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say,‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." This scripture because of the context of that although in North America we have wealth we are poor in many ways. Those in Nicaragua may not be wealthy by North American standards but are richer in other ways. Our cultures are different but not less valueable than the other. There are ways we can be interdependent and learn and share with each other.

The other reason this scripture came to mind is that when Elizabeth had her Dukoral shot she literally spit it from her mouth. All caught on video thanks to modern technology and less than compassionate siblings.

Majority Church

Last Thursday we had our orientation with CRWM (Christian Reformed World Missions). Lots to think about and still doing reading to get prepared. Spanish is not being acquired as quickly as I had hoped. Once in Nicaragua the exposure will increase the amount we learn to speak by necessity/necesito alone.

One book I'm reading is, Serving with Eyes Wide Open-doing short term missions with cultural intelligence by David A. Livermore. He talks about the majority church. A "typical" Christian may not fit the profile you first think of. The vast majority are *young *nonwhite *poor *theologically conservative and female.

"The western church is not the trendsetting center of Christianity" to quote David. None of the 50 largest churches in the world are found in North America. On average 35,000 conversions occur in Latin America daily. Todays estimates are over 480 million Christians in Latin America alone.

So again we are reminded to go with the idea of soaking in what God is doing in Nicaragua and learning from these experiences. Gaining understanding, encouragement and being challenged by those in the majority.