We live in a world that is very focused on the self. We are always looking for ways to boost our image in others minds, to boost ourselves to a level worthy of recognition and praise. One of the hard parts of sharing this wonderful experience is just that: pride creeps in.
When you tell people you are going to Africa, they look at you differently, as if to say, "I didn't know you had it in you" or "that's good for you" or "you are insane".
It's the same face and look that people gave me when I told them that I was selling most of my worldly possessions to live in solidarity with our poor brothers and sisters. It's the same look that you are given when you tell people that you are going to live a life of simplicity, without cable television or high speed internet. One frequent response many of my teens would give me, filled with that typical teen blend of sarcasm and reality of their true inner thoughts: "HOW DO YOU LIVE?"
What a great question.
How do you live?
How do I live?
What are we living for?
What are we dying for?
Are we dying at all?
Lent is a great time of year to talk about dying and death, but we don't like that. And frankly, sometimes we don't even talk about death during this time! We don't like death. Death is scary. Death is hard to understand. Death is mysterious and harsh and cold. And we need not be afraid any more. Thanks to a little thing called the cross.
Our dependencies on worldly things must die. Don't get my wrong: none of those things are immoral, per se. But we need to live differently. Our lives need to reflect that of Christ, because the lives we are called to live are radically different than the one we sometimes actually live.
It's easy to write a check. It's easy to conform to the world. Many times we do, it's called sin. But how are we living? Are we being intentional in the way we seek Christ in new ways? Are we open to His call in our lives? Or are we blinded by a world of flashy, glittering things? A world where movements are now trendy? Adopting a child from Africa or being more environmentally conscious: what's at the root of that movement in America? What's at the root of the movement in our hearts?
Again, it's not that they are wrong, but our root desire in those things can be. Our worship can be misdirected and misleading. Those things which may be good are being used as tools to prop ourselves up, instead of lifting up His Kingdom and His glory. It's not about money. It's not about image.
It's about PEOPLE.
People who our loving God thirsts for. People who live and breathe. People who suffer and rejoice. People who worship. People who pray and don't pray. People who are called to love.
I read that Mother Teresa was once asked what she thought of her movement in terms of leading to solving the problem of the poverty and world hunger. Her reply: "God does not create poverty. God gives enough for everyone. We create poverty." It blew me away. Its looking at the world through a radically different lens. No longer this modernistic, relative world view, but a God view.
We create poverty. Not just physically, but spiritually. We have grown stale. In our lack of activity, we have become weak. It is time for the Church to rise. In all of our imperfections, in all of our weaknesses, in all of our gifts and talents, and rise in all humility to serve the Church we often over look and ridicule, not just in Africa but in our own towns, churches and homes.
And just when it seems as if all hope is lost, and our weaknesses take over, we are confronted with a love that knows no ends, a love that sends us our empowered. And finally, of all those things we have and could have, we have found a reason to sacrifice and die.
How beautiful is that cross which brings this hope.
How beautiful is the glory of the Resurrection that brings us new life.
How beautiful is the bride of Christ, sent to all the nations.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Weekly Update
Hey Everyone,
So far I have had my shots paid for, as well as my work project cost and food cost for the trip. All I need now is a plane ticket, visa, and some clothes/materials to bring with me.
The next big item I am focusing on is plane ticket. So far I have raised $160 of the $1600-$1700 needed for it. If you know of anyone willing to help, please let them know! I'm hoping to be able to buy my ticket before mid-May, so there is a lot of work to be done!
The next part will be the Visa, then around $100-$150 for a traveling bag and some work clothes and I'm done!
Thanks for your prayers and support!
So far I have had my shots paid for, as well as my work project cost and food cost for the trip. All I need now is a plane ticket, visa, and some clothes/materials to bring with me.
The next big item I am focusing on is plane ticket. So far I have raised $160 of the $1600-$1700 needed for it. If you know of anyone willing to help, please let them know! I'm hoping to be able to buy my ticket before mid-May, so there is a lot of work to be done!
The next part will be the Visa, then around $100-$150 for a traveling bag and some work clothes and I'm done!
Thanks for your prayers and support!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
How to Support
If you are interested in supporting me in this mission to Ghana, you can email me at jonamdg@gmail.com and I can set you up with an address to mail it to.
Or,
if you are a parishioner at St. Laurence you can just drop it off with me!
Easy Peesy Lemon Squeezy!
Or,
if you are a parishioner at St. Laurence you can just drop it off with me!
Easy Peesy Lemon Squeezy!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Shots: Small Ways the Lord shows you love.
Just to let you guys know, they recommend you get yellow fever, typhoid, tetanus,meningitis, and Hepatitis A before you go to Africa. Try not to get more than one one the same day, in the same arm. Then you find that you can't move your arm that much because it's swollen and it makes you feel funny.
Geez.
Geez.
Updated Needs (April 8th, 2009)
Shots have been paid for.
Also, I have received $250, covering the Cost for food in Africa, as well as the work project making.
The total funds needed:
$1800 = Air Fair
$200 = mission items (carrying bag, clothes, mosquito spray)
Also, I have received $250, covering the Cost for food in Africa, as well as the work project making.
The total funds needed:
$1800 = Air Fair
$200 = mission items (carrying bag, clothes, mosquito spray)
Updated Needs
Air Fair: $1600-$1800
Shots: $365
Work Project: $100
Food while in Africa: $105
Clothes for traveling: $200 (carry bag, boots, jeans shirts appropriate for Africa: I will update with specific items later)
Item for Alms giving: $100 (soccer balls, money for poor, clothing, ect...:I will update later with specific items)
total estimated costs: $2570
Shots: $365
Work Project: $100
Food while in Africa: $105
Clothes for traveling: $200 (carry bag, boots, jeans shirts appropriate for Africa: I will update with specific items later)
Item for Alms giving: $100 (soccer balls, money for poor, clothing, ect...:I will update later with specific items)
total estimated costs: $2570
Mission Appeal
AMDG
IHS
Dear Friends and Family,
I would like to take the time to share with you an amazing experience that God is leading me to for this summer. For many years now, it has been my desire to participate in a foreign mission. One place that has especially been on my heart has been Africa.
Ever since my conversion, I felt God calling me to do some sort of ministry within Africa, yet the situation has never presented itself…until now. This summer I will be traveling with a group of young adults to Accra, Ghana, Africa.
I will be going for the first week of their three week trip, leading worship for the missionaries and locals, as well as participating in the work projects of the missionaries in Accra.
While God has opened up a door for me to grow in service, the best part is that He is calling those around me to participate in their own ways.
First, you can strengthen this mission by joining me as a prayer partner. A prayer partner commits to pray in a specific way for this mission. For example you can commit to offering up a mass intention or pray a rosary.
You can certainly pray for us more often but we are asking for a specific prayer commitment because you are such a vital part of our mission and we would like to pray for you in return. Though this is often underestimated, I view and value this as one of the most important roles for someone to have.
Another way you can support us is through helping me reach my financial goals. As of now, I am estimating the trip to cost roughly $2500. This includes the air fair, shots, food while in Africa as well as materials for the work project.
As many of you know, there is no way that I can fully pay for the cost of this mission. I am asking that you would prayerfully considering donating any amount to me. Whether it be $1 or $200, no donation will go unappreciated. God has called me to this mission. He has prepared me for years for this mission. He is teaching me in this to trust in Him, and in the Church. All Glory to Him!
If you are interested in this, please look at jonamdg.blogspot.com for updated information like a running tally and added list of materials still needed.
Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of your support is appreciated and needed. God has not only called and prepared me for this experience, but I strongly feel that He is inviting those in my life to participate in this as well, even if it isn’t through physically going there!
You are an important part in the way that God is working in me, and will work through me! Please prayerfully consider your part in this mission, and know that I will be praying for you and your family.
IHS
Dear Friends and Family,
I would like to take the time to share with you an amazing experience that God is leading me to for this summer. For many years now, it has been my desire to participate in a foreign mission. One place that has especially been on my heart has been Africa.
Ever since my conversion, I felt God calling me to do some sort of ministry within Africa, yet the situation has never presented itself…until now. This summer I will be traveling with a group of young adults to Accra, Ghana, Africa.
I will be going for the first week of their three week trip, leading worship for the missionaries and locals, as well as participating in the work projects of the missionaries in Accra.
While God has opened up a door for me to grow in service, the best part is that He is calling those around me to participate in their own ways.
First, you can strengthen this mission by joining me as a prayer partner. A prayer partner commits to pray in a specific way for this mission. For example you can commit to offering up a mass intention or pray a rosary.
You can certainly pray for us more often but we are asking for a specific prayer commitment because you are such a vital part of our mission and we would like to pray for you in return. Though this is often underestimated, I view and value this as one of the most important roles for someone to have.
Another way you can support us is through helping me reach my financial goals. As of now, I am estimating the trip to cost roughly $2500. This includes the air fair, shots, food while in Africa as well as materials for the work project.
As many of you know, there is no way that I can fully pay for the cost of this mission. I am asking that you would prayerfully considering donating any amount to me. Whether it be $1 or $200, no donation will go unappreciated. God has called me to this mission. He has prepared me for years for this mission. He is teaching me in this to trust in Him, and in the Church. All Glory to Him!
If you are interested in this, please look at jonamdg.blogspot.com for updated information like a running tally and added list of materials still needed.
Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of your support is appreciated and needed. God has not only called and prepared me for this experience, but I strongly feel that He is inviting those in my life to participate in this as well, even if it isn’t through physically going there!
You are an important part in the way that God is working in me, and will work through me! Please prayerfully consider your part in this mission, and know that I will be praying for you and your family.
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