What are you going to do?

     Its been almost four days since the last plane in a line of many planes, touched down on American soil bringing myself and our LoveManifest team home after two weeks in Southern India. We went seeking insight into what is needed in the way of Medical aid and water projects; pump bore wells bringing clean drinking water into schools, Villages and Orphanages. And looking for ways we may be able to assist after leaving, in the way of financial support. We participated in Medical camps sponsored by us, eye camps providing Cataract surgeries, the result of a $10,000 grant from Giving of Life Grant that we had won providing 500 opportunities for sight to those suffering from blindness due to cataracts. It was a big trip leading the four of us, Glenn, Val, Caitlin and myself into and through one of the most devastated by poverty and disease stricken areas on the planet. And although we came home with a better idea of the ways we can help in a real and efficient manner, the need at times seemed without reach. I mean how do you comfort an orphan who has seen and experienced more injustice and sorrow than your brain can even fathom for a child. Or reach out to a heart that had been told its whole life that there is no way out of the suffering just because they had been born, just born, into a Caste system that says they will never be more than the dirt they lay on at night. And how do you explain to the old ones with deep wrinkles from years spent in the Indian sun just to survive, that they are loved? Now with frail bones from malnutrition and most with ailments we here in the United States thought long eradicated.  How do you show the ones that linger in the back of the crowd, seemingly lost and unnoticed, that they have hope? That they are not forgotten by the God who formed them, that He is close to them even more so now in their age, that He sees them and that their lives are not wasted and useless now that their bodies are worn out and their backs are bowed with the weight of age. How do you do that? How do you pour out love with abandon and healing like oil over a heart? How do look a young mother in the eye, who had contracted Polio in childhood and was left with one of her legs paralyzed and who now was infected with HIV from her husband who had passed away from AIDs, leaving her left to care for her young son, alone, shunned by most, and sick. I don't have many answers, I don't know if the ones I have found even make sense, but I do know they make a difference! You see love really is stronger than death, His love knows no bounds. It makes you rush to the one that is hurting and wrap your arms around them, kiss them, pray for them and tell them that you love them. Complete strangers, yet closer than brothers and sisters because of His love. It flows out like water, like oil on the wounded heart and mind and declares His love and proclaims healing in the name of His Son. It holds power beyond temporary comfort and it's affects are limitless and unfailing. 

His love never fails.

 I knew this before I left for India, I had seen His love moving in the lives of the broken and hurting here. I had watched Him use us, to witness His healing and power to the lost and in need here at home, in the same ways as there. Going to India brought it to a whole new level, don't get me wrong. The devastation of poverty there is like nothing you see here in the States. The sickness there is beyond words and beyond reason. What I can honestly say is similar, is the need for His love, a broken spirit in need of His love and healing is universal. The need for His love and justice is real. The opportunity to be used by Him takes nothing more than your willingness to be used, in His timing and His power. And what I really want to say is this..Are You willing? and if yes, then I ask this.."What are you going to do?" He called us out of darkness into His glorious light to shine like stars in the universe (1 Peter 2:9-10, Philippians 2:15) Do you need to go across the world to find that out? Maybe, maybe not. Do you need to give your time and money until it hurts and you find yourself completely dependent on Him for all you have and all you are? Maybe. Until normal seems ridiculous and you realize He intended you to live in His abundant love and to pour it out, so the world would know we were His by the love we LIVED not just the love we talked about? Definitely. You see I witnessed yet again that love is in actions, not just words! I may sound all fired up and excited, but really I felt this way before India, now I can say it and have a, as most would agree, legitimate excuse. But I am still asking you this...."what are you going to do?" Do you believe He called you to live a life safe from all risk and free from all heartbreak? Or do you want to let Him break your hearts for what breaks His, to speak His promises and Word, preach His good news in action and speech, and to love with His love reaching the ones that are in desperate need of it. Here and across the globe. Hear me again "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?" what is He asking you to do? I know that just because I am home, doesn't mean the opportunity to offer hope, love and aide ends, to point to Jesus Christ, who IS the answer! There is need everywhere.....are you willing? "what are you going to do?"  

I'm going to love.......