The Red Pill

Wynn is usually the blogger, but I figured a third trip halfway around the world might merit a word or two.
 
First, I want to thank everyone for your prayers.  They were felt.  My “flight panic” (“fear of flying” is  for those who don’t try hard enough) was not too bad.  The travel went pretty much like clockwork.  The lost bag turned up and, after the initial episode, tummy troubles were avoided.  Praise God!
 
I posted a few notes on local “trading” sites and area folks were very generous with used backpacks and fabric.  Friends further away helped with the indestructible Futbols.  Thank you.  I know you enjoy helping others, especially very needy children.

But, let me invite you to take the red pill.  In the movie, The Matrix, the main character is offered a choice between a red pill and a blue pill. The blue pill would allow him to remain in a fabricated reality.  The red pill would lead to his escape from the Matrix and into the "real  world."

I sat in the blue pill world of my comfy home with my comfy life for years and years.  We gave enough to feel as though we were doing our small part to help the masses of faceless, needy people in the world.

Then, there was a major miscalculation on my part.  A mission trip to Kenya was being discussed for July 2011.  A group of people I really liked was going.  I talked Wynn into going to the initial meeting about the trip.  I was being “spiritual.”  I figured I could look “good” dipping my toe in the “mission trip” water, but I was certain that Wynn was going to be “sensible” and say it was not a good time...wait until the children are out of the house...let’s just give money... and that would be that.  Instead of writing a check to send, Wynn said to write a check for airfare. My ears started ringing as the blood rushed to my head, and I wanted to throw up.  But we were there at the meeting, and I would not have looked very “spiritual” if I had pinched him and said, “Let’s discuss this.”  After all, I was the one who dragged him there.  This was NOT the plan.  But what could I do?  We went.
 
I met the faceless, nameless children to whom I had been tossing pennies. I met true servants of the Lord; you know the ones I mean, not the pew-sitting Sunday servants, but the “lose their lives to gain them” servants -the “take up their  cross daily” servants.

Well, it wasn’t my decision.  It wasn’t my choice.  But, somehow, I was slipped that red pill.  I never wanted to “know” hungry children.  I never wanted to “know”abused  children.  And I certainly never,  ever wanted to love those children.  Because when you know those children and love those children, it hurts.  It hurts in a bad way.  It hurts to know that xxx was hungry.  It hurts to know that xxx  was raped by her father.  It hurts to know that there are not enough arms to hug each of those children or enough laps for them to sit on or enough lips to kiss their boo-boos.
 
These children are now “my”children, and I love them so much that my insides really ache.  BUT, I would never go back to the “blue pill” world.
 
Andrew and Agnes are dear, true friends.  We have laughed together and cried together.  Each of the sixty-four children in the Centre has added richness and great joy to my life.  I care that Joseph got a bump on his head.  I care that Jackline got hit in the eye with a jump rope.  I care that Anne’s dress needs to be mended.  And I care that Michael has enough nutritious food to eat.  (It’s hard to fill up Michael.)
 
They have changed my life.  Huruma helps orphans.  But this has become a pretty selfish endeavor.  They give me so much more than I could ever give them.  James 1:27 says that religion that is pure before God is to visit widows and orphans.  God is a big, all-knowing, all-wise God.  I thought when I read scripture like that,“Okay. God wants me to help people because I am fortunate and I should help.”  But His ways are higher than my ways, and He can weave many paths together.  I have learned that God tells me to help orphans because, yes, they need help, but God tells me to help orphans because I need help.  
 
Are you empty?  Do you wonder why you are here?  Do you wonder if there is more to life than what you are experiencing?  

There is more.  Take the red pill.

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