Even in the Worst of Years

As we reach the end of 2020, it would be really easy to look back on the year, throw up our hands and say "good riddance!"  But I've got another idea.

Let's raise up our hands and shout "Thank you Lord!" instead.

I'm not much into complaining about how bad things are, or all the problems I've had to deal with.  I'd rather solve problems then cry about them.  Now, I'm not saying that 2020 hasn't been a very trying, difficult year.  It's been incredibly frustrating at almost every turn.  But I don't think we do ourselves much good by worrying or complaining about it.  The old "attitude of gratitude" mentality works much better, I think.

So let's be thankful about all that was accomplished through this ministry in 2020, instead of complaining about the tasks left unaccomplished because of the pandemic.

Let's thank God for the things we were able to focus on that we wouldn't have been able to focus on if we were doing "normal" ministry.

Let's thank God for the impact you, as an ECM partner, had on so many lives in Congo, Ghana, and Uganda.

As we finish 2020, let's remember all that God has done, and give him thanks for all of it.  As we head into 2021, let's do so with excitement and enthusiasm because we know that even in the worst of years, God still does GREAT things!

His Story

What's it like to be lost, then miraculously found?  Moise*, a little boy from Congo, knows the feeling better than most.  After having been separated from his family and cared for by strangers, he was, in an amazing turn of events which could have only been orchestrated by God, re-united with his father after many years.

These stories never cease to amaze me.  They exemplify just how much God cares for his children, how much he loves us, and what he will do to give us hope for today and for eternity.  

But they are also the stories of what happens when God's people dive headfirst into the messy world in which we live.  They are the stories of what happens when we follow his lead, when we say yes though every part of our being is saying no, when we simply trust and obey, having no idea of the outcome.

I'm glad that these are the kind of stories that we want to be a part of here at ECM, and I hope that you feel the same.  I'm thankful that we aren't just a part of carefully orchestrated stories that always have happy endings, but instead we've chosen to be a part of God's story, no matter how messy certain parts of it may turn out to be.  Moise's story has a happy ending, for which I am grateful.  But even when the story doesn't turn out so well, I'm still grateful, because we are still part of what God is doing, and how he is changing lives for the better.

*You can read Moise's story in our July e-newsletter by clicking here or visiting our website.

Can We Eliminate Discrimination? - Our Plan

Our plan to eliminate discrimination includes two important steps: demonstration of our love for others, and education for those who don't yet understand the hurt they cause when they discriminate against others.

Demonstration

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

We believe in the simple phrase made popular by author Bob Goff: Love Does.  Whatever terms or phrases you use, the truth is simple: Christians are not called just to listen, we are called to DO.  And here at ECM, we do a lot of doing!  We spend our time loving, helping, encouraging, challenging, serving, and reassuring those whom God has called us to help.  We want them to feel God’s love tangibly, and not just hear it.  We want them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves each one of them.

We don’t do what we do to impress others, but there are benefits to having others in the community see love in action.  The truth is, there are many who don’t actually know how to love.  When they see what we do, they not only learn how God calls us to love each other, but they are also inspired to do the same.   We hope that our demonstrations of God’s love for everyone, including the unlovable, will move people away from their discriminating behaviors of the past, and toward an attitude of love for all.

Specifically, here are some examples of how we demonstrate God’s love by loving others:

• Meeting medical needs
• Providing sources of clean water
• Providing clothing and food to those in need
• Encouraging children and families through visits, Bible lessons, and letters
• Training school teachers and Sunday School teachers
• Providing items for children with albinism, such as sunscreen, hats, lip balm, and protective clothing
• Ensuring that school fees are paid so children can receive an education
• Teaching new farming techniques

Education

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

 

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.  Proverbs 9:9

 

We realize that no matter how much we help, no matter how many lives we change, no matter how many children we love, the cycle of discrimination will endlessly go on if those who are discriminating against others are never shown the truth.  It is up to us, (the ones who have the truth), to share it with those who are still in the dark. 

 

That’s why we are putting a renewed focus on education to help end discrimination.  We have always been concerned about helping people understand why it’s so important to show love, and why discrimination is not only misguided but detrimental to the health of children and their society as a whole.  Our curriculum on the truth of albinism has been used over the years to guide communities, schools, and churches toward a more Christ-like acceptance of those with albinism.  We are now expanding that curriculum to include a greater understanding and acceptance of those with disabilities, those from other tribes, and those living in extreme poverty.  This will help us guide communities away from the belief that certain children have been cursed and should be avoided, toward a love for all children that encourages everyone to embrace even the most unlovable.

 

We plan to take the following steps to educate communities about the negative impact of discrimination on their children and the positive steps they can take to end its stranglehold on their lives:

• Revise and improve the current albinism curriculum
• Expand and modify the curriculum to include information regarding others who are discriminated against in African society, such as those with disabilities, those from certain tribes, or those living in extreme poverty
• Engage schools, churches, and local leaders in open, respectful dialogue on the topic of discrimination and its impact on their community 

Over the course of the coming year we will be expanding our outreach into the communities where we currently minister, working to both demonstrate God’s love through our actions, and to educate others on the important, biblical reasons for ending discrimination against those forgotten in African cultures.  We will openly discuss these critical issues with anyone who will listen, and we will not rest until all children, no matter their physical state or their level of wealth, are accepted and loved in their communities.

 

Can We Eliminate Discrimination?

I suppose the realistic answer to the question above is a resounding NO!  I can't really argue with that, but I do think it's within our responsibility to do all we can within our sphere of influence bring an end to discrimination.  And that begs the question...

What can we do? 

At ECM, that question is always weighing on our minds.  Not “what can we talk about doing?” or “what can we think about doing?” or even “what can we plan to do?”  But what can we really do? 

We can’t answer that question for you, and we don’t even think we’re supposed to.  It’s something that you’ll have to grapple with on your own.

But we can answer that question for ECM. 

We want to eliminate the discrimination that divides the communities in which we minister, especially the discrimination that causes pain for those with disabilities, those with albinism, and those looked down upon because of their tribe or sex. We are committed to ending discrimination in every sphere where we have influence and restoring children and communities to one another and their Creator through God’s overwhelming love.

We know it's a big goal, but in the communities where we serve, we see children abused and discriminated against everyday because of how they look, how they walk, how they talk, or simply because of the tribe they belong to.  They can’t go places that other kids go, or do things that other kids do.  They don’t get the help they need because the people around them don’t care about them or are afraid of them.  They end up being prisoners in their own homes.  The people in their communities have built walls, and these kids are on the outside looking in.   To end such discrimination is a big goal, but it's one we are willing to go after.

Why do people choose to discriminate against these kids?  We know the answer is complex, but we think one reason is because people don’t understand why these kids are the way they are.  They see “curse” instead of disability or difference, and believe they need to protect themselves and their families, lest the same curse fall on them.  What they need is information.  They need to be educated.  They need to be told the truth about what causes albinism, physical and mental disabilities, and tribal differences.

That’s where ECM can help. 

We believe that we can educate communities, families, and churches about the true causes of these differences, and more importantly, about the love that God has for these children despite the differences.  We also believe that we can demonstrate for these communities how to love these kids unconditionally, so that everyone can see how it’s done.   

We truly believe that these efforts will not only change the lives of these children forever, but will also change the lives of those in the community now, which will eventually change the lives of all the children born into that community in the future.  We believe it will have a long-lasting impact. 

Next week I'll share more about our plan to eliminate discrimination in the areas where we minister.

What Ministry Really Is

As a ministry we are reminded constantly that we need to stay on course, stick to our defined mission, and keep doing what we do best.  In a normal world, in a normal time, I couldn’t agree more. But what do you do when, all of a sudden, “what you do” simply can’t be done?  I suppose you could throw up your hands in frustration, or maybe you could go on vacation.  But what COVID-19 has taught us is that ministry is not really about what we do, although we are called to do specific tasks, and to do them to the very best of our abilities.  No, ministry is about who we do it for, and more importantly, Who we serve.

Back in March we quickly learned that our normal outreach to families through home visits, school visits, Bible clubs and the like just wasn’t going to happen. So we asked the simple but dangerous question, “what do you actually need?”  It was at that point that we realized that what they needed was food, and that they needed it soon.  So we got to work, stopping our normal activities, and putting our efforts into raising funds for food and distributing that food to our kids and their families.  By doing so, we met an immediate need, and at the same time continued to carry out our mission of bringing hope.

What we've learned during this pandemic is that our mandate to serve and bring hope can and will take various forms depending on need.  Our continued mission is to bring hope to the hopeless in every situation, by whatever means necessary, so that all may experience the love and grace of God. Our ultimate calling is to bring hope through service to others, and more importantly, to grow God's Kingdom through service to Him.

Come Now, Let's Settle This

Come now, let us reason together.... Is. 1:18 (ASV)

My first job out of college was as a teacher in an inner-city school.  During my first year I was introduced to what was, for me, a totally new concept: the celebration of Black History Month.  Every year I learned something new about black history, and to this day things come to mind that help me understand the African American culture.  It is safe to say that without that experience, my understanding of African American culture, as limited as it still is, would be far less.

There is something really important about coming together to openly and honestly discuss issues that divide us.  It all begins with listening to each other (really listening) so that we can begin to understand each other, which leads ultimately (with a lot of hard work) to reconciliation.  As a ministry, we always focus on listening to those whom we believe God has called us to help, those individuals who find themselves in very vulnerable situations, for whatever reason.  By listening, we begin to understand their situation, what led them to the place they are in, and how we might be able to help.  When we understand them (and how they think), we can do a much better job of providing what is really needed, and not just what we think is needed.  Forcefully sharing our perspective is never the best way to do ministry, nor is it the best way to mend relationships.  

In the midst of all the turmoil in our country, what's needed most, on every side, is humility.  Putting aside our needs so that we can actually listen to our hurting brothers and sisters requires us to take our eyes off ourselves.  It is my prayer, and the prayer of our ministry, that we can all put our own needs (and even our opinions) aside and help others with significant needs, whether they are living next door, on the other side of town, or on the other side of the world.  Please join with us in prayer for our country and for the children and families we serve in Africa.

Isaiah 1:18 reads a little differently in the New Living Translation than it does in the translation above, but I think it says what we all need to hear: Come now, let’s settle this.  As the body of Christ, we have no other options.

The Bare Necessities

Recently in a neighboring state, an unsuspecting Walmart manager caused an uproar by deciding that baby strollers were not essential.  Perhaps he didn't need a stroller, a baby monitor, or a crib, but let me tell you, some people absolutely do.  And boy, did he ever hear about it....

At the same time, I was asking one of ECM's country directors about the hardships faced by those in his country, and about the items that were most necessary during this difficult time.  Funny, he didn't mention baby strollers, or a lot of other things that we might have mentioned, for that matter.

He said food.  His people needed food.

Now, I know that food is not the only thing that people need, but his answer sure did highlight for me a stark difference between our countries.  No one in America would say that we don't need food. Of course we do.  It's just that we always have food.  It's just a given to most Americans, even during this pandemic.  It's like saying that oxygen is essential to life.  It's true of course, but really, when was the last time there wasn't any?

His answer also highlights an important aspect of ministry to the human race: meeting physical needs.  When he expressed to me the need for food, he wasn't saying that spiritual needs were not important, and he wasn't even implying that they are not most important.  He was just saying that right now, food is more important than Bibles or sermons, neither of which you can eat.

Don't get hung up on trying to figure out what the necessities of life are, and which are most important.  I for one would not like to be a Walmart manager trying to decide what is essential for an ever more aggravated US population! As Christians, we are called to meet needs when and where we see them.  See a hungry person, feed them.  See a poor person, clothe them.  See a person hungry for truth, tell them about Jesus.  When you meet these needs and countless others, you are sharing the good news of Jesus with a world in need.  And that, my friends, is essential.

It's Good Friday. So What?

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)

The calendar says it's Good Friday, and that Easter is just two days away.  But all I hear on the news is COVID-19 this, coronavirus that.  Wear a mask, don't wear a mask; don't shake hands with anyone; and by all means, stay six feet away from everyone.  And please, please stay inside (unless what you've got to do is really, really important, like buying mulch for landscaping your yard, or running to the store to get that chocolate bar you've been craving, or getting take-out for dinner from your favorite restaurant).  Yet we are supposed to remember that today is Good Friday, the day Jesus died.

Well, it is true that we have been hearing a lot about death lately.  Mortality rates, death counts in every country under the sun, and fear that only comes when people begin to consider the possibility that they might be next.  We are certainly afraid of death.

So the question comes to my mind: why did Jesus actually have to die?  I certainly know people who are uncomfortable with the idea.  Frankly, I am uncomfortable with the idea. I also know people who outright reject the notion that God requiring Jesus to die for us is like, the best plan?  Really? Surely God could have come up with a better idea.  Couldn't he have just said, "OK, it's all good.  No, really, I've got this taken care of.  You're all in!"  It sounds good, and there are many days I wish it were true, especially when I spend time with really nice people who won't accept the message of forgiveness and salvation through Christ.  But the problem is, it just doesn't match with what the Bible says about God.  He is loving, yes, but he is also just.  He is holy and righteous and cannot just ignore sin.  So, as much as I would like that to be different, I can't change who God is, at least not without changing what Scripture says about Him.   

I'm no theologian, but it's pretty clear to me what the Bible is saying.  By ourselves, we just don't make the grade. (You can read for yourself in passages like: Leviticus 11:44-45, Isaiah 6:3-5, Leviticus 17:11, and Romans 3:23-26.)  But what is also clear to me is that God loves me and has made a way (see Romans 5:8) for me to be saved.  It's not really my place to question his methods, as much as I might wish for other options.

So today is Good Friday.  Jesus had to die because God required it, based on who He is.  But the key here is that God did make a way for us.  It's there for the taking.  In the midst of COVID-19, when fear is the emotion of the day, we can find peace because someone else died for us.  So when we die (and we will die, if Christ doesn't return first), we have nothing to fear. Because of Christ, this is a very, very good day, indeed.

Lord, We Want Our Sight

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

Matthew 20:29-33

What comes next in this story is critical for followers of Christ.  Let me start by telling you what does not come next:

Jesus looked at the men with great indignation and told them, "Oh foolish men! Why are you so short-sighted? I have come to bring you hope for eternity, so cast your vision for what is to come, not on what you may see today!"

And the men rejoiced as they continued in their blindness, knowing that someday they too would see.

Could Jesus have said that?  Yes, he had the right to say it, and there are certainly places in Scripture where he points people away from today and toward eternity. But his response in this situation (and in many situations in Scripture) was very different.  Instead of ignoring the men or downplaying their need, Matthew tells us that Jesus

"...had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

Jesus cared about those with physical needs and almost always did something about it.  He didn't preach to the men, he just healed them.  But don't miss what came next: they followed him.  That's what often happens when we consistently do good things for others in the name of Jesus.  They follow him.  And isn't that the ultimate goal?

When God Says No

"...having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word."

Acts 16:6

Why would God keep anyone from doing something good? From doing even what he has commanded us to do?   From doing something as important as sharing the good news in a hurting world?  Let's be honest, that doesn't seem to make much sense.

I suppose the easy answer is, "God's ways are mysterious, and we cannot understand them." I'll be the first to say I can't argue with that.  But there is, of course, a better explanation.  God has a plan much bigger than our "moment in time."  While something might seem good, it may not be best.  It may not even be close.  With our limited sight, however, we don't see what is around the corner, or what may come tomorrow.  

There are three things we can take from this truth that will help guide us in decision making:

• Right thing, wrong time.  Timing is critical for the effective leader.  Pushing forward with the "right thing" when the timing is wrong will lead to disasterous results.  Be patient, seek God's leading, and be willing to wait for something better than you could have imagined.
• Doing that "right thing" may not actually be worth the effort, time, and funds.  Some things might be right and good, but not part of your organization's overall plan and vision.  "Stay in your lane" at all times. Easier said than done, but vitally important in the long run.
• God may very well have something even better than you could imagine.  If he is telling you not to do something that may to most seem good and right, you would be wise to listen.

In Acts 16, God wanted the team to avoid preaching in one area because of a greater need elsewhere (v.9).  They responded to the need unhesitantly.  The rest, as they say, is history.  What will your history look like?

The Other 5%

It's been said that 95% of what you do today will be good and right.  Congratulations.

Now, what can you do to fix the other 5%?

That may seem a little harsh to some of you.  After all, anyone who is getting it right 95% of the time is beyond successful!  But this statement is not about achievement, it is about improvement and growth.  A person who not only wants to succeed but also wants to be their very best can never rest on prior accomplishments.  There is always another mountain to climb or sea to cross.

We are called to grow in our faith, and while our works don't save us, we understand that what we accomplish in our works subtly corresponds in some way to the level of our faith.  The greater the faith, the more we should be able to accomplish through it.  As we grow in our faith, our faith should be more and more evident through our works.

And so we strive to accomplish more, to get better at what we do, to improve, not for the sake of our own glory or fame, but because our growing faith demands it.

When things are going well and 95% of the time you do the right thing, you will be tempted to congratulate yourself and take a break.  As a leader of others and a follower of Christ, don't give in to that temptation.  Instead, think about what you can do better, not out of pride or a desire to impress others, but out of a burning desire to use your talents to the fullest for his glory and the growth of His Kingdom.

Your God

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

Isaiah 41:10

Here we go again.  It's January, the time when our thoughts naturally flow toward the future.  What will the new year bring? Will it be better or worse than the last?   Will we experience an unimaginable calamity, or an unforgettable blessing? Or will it just be another average year without major highs or lows? Will I be the person God wants me to be - has created me to be - or will my year be marked by underachievement?

In all honesty, the last question might be the most significant. There is almost nothing we can do to control what happens this year, but there is much we can control about our response.  Too often I repsond out of fear, primarily the fear of failure.  Fear that I will not live up to my end of the bargain.  Fear that I will lead this organization down the wrong path, or that my decisions will cause pain for others.

As we begin this new year, my focus is not on what may or may not happen, but how I will respond. My prayer is that I will experience the peace of God, which is the opposite of fear; that I will trust fully in him through whatever may come; that I will truly believe that he is with me, and that he is my God.  

My prayer for you is the same.  May the God who is ever with you - your God - pour his blessings out on you this year!

What Really Matters

“The Lord’s blessing is our greatest strength.”  Proverbs 10:22 TLB 

Recently I gathered with my wife and children, seven siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts, current and long-lost friends, and even a few strangers to celebrate the life of our family's patriarch, my dad.  Even at the age of 89, after living a full and productive life, his death still somehow felt untimely.  I was ready, and at the same time, completely unready for him to leave us.  I understand that as a follower of Jesus, he is far better off now than at any time on this earth. But I miss my visits and phone calls with him, his warm smile, and gentleness.  Even as I write, I fight back the tears. 

His loss has made me consider more urgently what really matters in life.  My dad never put monetary gain or selfish ambition above family, and certainly not above matters of God’s Kingdom. How many of us can say the same?  He knew that what really matters in this life is not acclaim or wealth or power, but the Lord’s blessing on a life lived for Him.  Dad did not leave his numerous descendants a large monetary inheritance.  What he left was of far greater importance – the impact of a life lived in service to his King, an example of what it really means to follow Jesus. 

From his meager resources, he continued to support this ministry (and many others) until his death. Perhaps he felt a certain obligation to support ECM, but I like to think that ultimately, he simply felt an overwhelming desire to be a part of growing God’s Kingdom, and partnership with ECM was a good way to ensure that God’s love was shown to the vulnerable and outcast in this world.  For that, he received God’s blessing and was welcomed into heaven by the words we all long to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

Without a doubt, this is what really matters.