of coconuts she gave us.
Yesterday, I sat down with the kids and explained that we were going to go on an adventure. We recently cleaned out their clothes and had 3 bags to donate. I had the idea that we would pray and ask God who we should give them to instead of giving them to good will.
So we all sat down. I asked them, “What does God say for his people to do?” They said, “obey, love, be nice” I said yes but what does he say we should do for people especially poor people. They said “Help them.” I was happy to know they have that concept down. So I said we are going to get in the car and drive to the poorest area of our town, where Mommies and Daddies don’t have enough to take care of their kids. They may need clothes and we can help them. The only problem is, we don’t know where to go, so we are going to have to have God lead us. I said, “The secret about this is, that when God’s people do his work out in the world, we get a special portion of him. ”
They were all excited, we got in the car, we drove and we waited. I had already decided that we would not stop for any men, but praying that God would lead us to a poor women that may need help. This was about modeling. So, we go to a poor area, where a large Guatemalan population live. I drove around and saw no-one except out of work men sitting outside of their house. So I said, “OK kids where do we go? What is God saying?” Jackson said, “He will show you Mommy.” Chloe said “Where is our poor family?” and Hudson said, “Mommy, listen to me! Go left, left then right.” So for lack of any other plan, that is what I did and you know what? We landed right at a house with a ethnic women outside washing her dog. I told her what we wanted to do, and she led me right to her neighbors house who had three young kids and one on the way.
She was Mexican and speaks little English. Her children were clothed in rags. They lived in complete poverty. I felt like I was in Peru or Cuba but I was 6 blocks from our home. Trash, filth, fleas, and we patiently waited outside her door to give her our gifts. Hudson wanted to go in. “Mommy we must go in. I want to be with them.”, he said. He was determined. He had some of his toys that he was willing to pass on to someone who had nothing.
I talked a bit of Jesus and the gospel with her, and she said she knew Jesus and said thank you for the clothes and gave us her coconuts. She wasn’t very open but that was not the point. The point was to go. I took 20 minutes out of our whole day. It was small and simple. But we went, we acted, I modeled the reality of what it means to follow Christ and I sewed seeds yesterday, in the woman’s heart, in my sweet children’s heart and in my own heart.
So – we are going to do it again, and again and again. Won’t you join us?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I just want to begin by saying that I am far from a religious person but found your post so touching it gave me goose bumps. I have a 2 year old little girl and don’t think I would have the courage to do what you did. Just thought you should know.
Amber – I am going to be honest with you because I am really interested in a conversation about your experience. I loved the whole part of your story until you got to the part where you talked about Jesus and shared the gospel with her. I know that following His example is why you are modeling this for your kids, but It feels uncomfortable for me to “attach some strings” to your gift…. no – you didn’t ask her for anything – but you did expect her to listen to your story. I would like to see you do this again and simply give with out any strings – unless it comes up naturally in the context of relationship. I value your willingness to share yourself so regularly and so openly – and I read your blog often – so please don’t take this as an attack, only as a question that sincerely wants to hear your thoughts.
I’m off on holidays early tomorrow morning, so I won’t be able to respond till I get back
Karla in Winnipeg
Hey Karla,
Thanks so much for the comment and your honesty! No I am not offended, actually it was great for you to bring it up.:-) As always, with any story like this, context is helpful but not always possible.
As I reread my post, I realized I left a large portion of the story out, due to time and length of post. I am getting long winded these days and was trying to make it short and sweet. Shame on me!:-)
She actually asked, who we were, and why we were there. I am ALL about relational evangelism. Most things we do, are with no strings, and in our hearts this was too. I was actually leaving the clothes and walking back towards the car, when she called me back. She didn’t’ speak English and was having her son translate for me. So for me, it was a bit awkward, I really was just wanting to model to our kids about hearing God and responding to what he is saying, both in providing for those with less, and also being led to them when you don’t know where to go, and then being obedient – nothing more.
The only thing I asked was, is there anything else she needed, any other help? She said “No” and I said “Have a good day” and I turned to leave and she drew me back in. I was a bit confused about it but in looking back, I think it was to give our kids the coconuts. I was trying to be polite and not pushy and God forbid preachy. I didn’t want her to hear that or our kids to hear it. I can see how my original post gave that vibe.
I also have a few comments on my face book regarding the post, so I think I will ask if I can transfer them here, so we can widen the conversation.
One of the things I have been thinking through and praying about, is how do we build authentic relationship with the poor without it being contrived? I am at a loss as to how, so my tiny little bag of clothes story was just an attempt to show up and see what God is doing, and then maybe start to understand how I can become a true friend to someone who lives so close and has so little – on so many levels. I am not talking a theological hypothetical idea, but something a real live homeschool Mom with three littels can do safely. One of the ideas that I have, is to go “play after school games” one day a week with an inner city youth organization we are connected to here. Problem is, it is 30 minutes away and not very natural, but it is a start.
Any ideas?
yep! i love that story
wow Amber that was awesome!You are such a kind person! I would love to do that, I usually give the kids clothes to a women at work from Haiti. She has 9 kids and is pregnant with number 10.
Well, we can go do it together one day:-) For me, the whole point was to teach the children how God speaks and guides us in our everyday lives. IF we ask, he shows us. It was simple, but the more I do it with the kids, the more they get it and start to tell me things God is “showing and saying” to them all throughout their day.
It is neat to watch God call our kids.
Hi Ladies –
I added your comments here as well as facebook, as so many read here and not there. Thought it would be helpful to the wider conversation.
So – go and read the comment thread and then start the thoughts a flowin’.
Peace to you all~
a
I’m a reader, not a writer:) I couldn’t resist adding my two cents though. I was really challenged by your post. I know that I am often fearful of following God’s direction, and I think it’s a great gift that you’re giving your kids…a chance to practice trusting God, especially when we don’t know what the outcome will be.