Many of you know that Agape recently spent a few days in the hospital for a long episode of uncontrollable shaking and weakness. To make the story brief, she had many tests done that were all negative. Thankfully Agape recovered on her own, and she is back to herself again. No real conclusion as to why it happened, but we do believe that it may have been a rare reaction to some of the vaccines she received the day before the shaking happened.
I have a friend who has recently experienced a similar scare with a loved one. When talking with my friend we struggled with the harsh reality that bad things happen to good people, and we can't always understand why.
People I tell you this for sure. There is always a reason. This reason has nothing to do with a distant god that cares little for our well being, and actually enjoys our plight. This couldn't be farther from the truth. I can't explain why Agape had to go through so many needles, tests, and discomfort, but I do realize a few things relating to this situation.
If Agape had this happen to her a few months earlier, or if we hadn't picked her up from the Congo yet, she would have gone through this alone. If she was able to go to a hospital no one would have been by her bed, and the diagnostic testing would not have been nearly as reliable.
The next night after Agape was discharged we went to see a TobyMac concert in Philly. Agape loved it! The lights, the music, the friends, her face gave her away, she was having a blast. During the intermission of the concert a pastor came out and shared about an organization that provides food to people who are starving. Here is what he shared:
There are 7 billion people in the world right now. If you take 100 people that represent the socioeconomic standing of the entire world and put them in a room this is how it breaks down. Of those 100 people, 50 of them will die of hunger, only 7 of them have access to the internet, and only 2 can decide if they go to college. Obviously, America is represented by the "2" people. Most of the world does not live like us.
I can't say for sure why Agape had to go through what she did last week. I'm not sure why anyone ever has to go through any sort of tragedy, but I am reminded of one thing that I know if true. We have the power to make a difference in this world. Whether it is your neighbor across the street, or the orphans of Africa, they need us in their times of trouble. One Bible verse comes to mind that states this thought more clearly than I ever could.
Proverbs 3:27-28 - "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you' - when you already have it with you."
What I love about this verse so much is that it is not so much about worship in the sense that Americans tend to think. It's not about a church service with singing, praying, and preaching. It's about being present in the needs of our world around us, and giving ourselves to make it better.
To make this happen it is going to cost us people. What is it going to cost us exactly?
Your comfort.
Do you really need that new iPad for Christmas? A 64 GB iPad with the data plan costs $829 (excluding the cost of the monthly data plan). With that same amount of money here is what you can also do:
13 small animals to a farmer - $101
Safe water innovations for clean drinking water - $50
Clothing for children - $75
1 year of school for 2 orphans - $70 x 2 = $140
Backpack and school supplies - $22
Life saving medicines and supplies - $60
Bicycle for a girl - $85
15 fruit trees - $90
Feed a family in the USA for 1 week - $112
Vaccinations - $41
Ship and deliver a wheelchair - $50
Grand total = $826
Actually that is LESS than an iPad. All these I mentioned above are things that people in the world need in order to live, and they can't get them without our help. You don't have to spend lots of money to adopt a child to do something great. Any one of these things from World Vision will change someone's life for the better.
So with this I encourage you all to open your eyes to the world around you, and do something to make it better. If you need any ideas on how to do it you have 11 suggestions right here.
Blessings to you all.
