Really wonderful essay Joel. The point about becoming too reliant on personal stories or illustrations is going to stay with me for awhile. I can see your point that while good storytelling can be essential for engaging audiences, for challenging people to witness their faith in new and deeper ways, it can also be a slippery slope, where we find ourselves talking more and more about interpretations of Scripture rather than the words themselves.
Hi Joel, Are we there yet? To 40? Thank you so much for sharing some of your experiences with us. Definitely inspirational and motivating! I'm so glad you offered the 40 Challenge. I have been thinking about and wanting to do something along those lines and this was just what I needed to jump right in and do it. I chose to sponsor a 3 year old little girl whose birthday is today, 6/10. I'm excited to receive more information and to begin contributing to Compassion International's endeavor to help change the lives of children. I feel blessed to be able to bless a child with hope and the feeling that someone who doesn't even know her cares about her. Thank you for challenging us and reminding us of this opportunity to sponsor a child. Keep us posted...Are we there yet?
Joel, the impressions you shared are so similar to what I learned on a mission trip to Zimbabwe in 2012. This trip then led me to preparing future mission teams at our church. You're right -- sometimes we have the mindset we are the savior! Part of preparation for the teams I prepared, was to read "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself." What truly struck me on my trip was the uninhibited joy and worship the people had. We had brought some sewing machines, and the ladies broke out in song and dance and lifted the machines high in praise. And, seeing orphans who literally had nothing. No home. No parents. Not even shoes -- often times an older sibling taking care of the younger ones. Heartbreaking -- but they were always full of joy -- truly could only be from God. I appreciate your challenge to sponsor children from Compassion International and pray that 40 are sponsored. We currently sponsor children through World Vision (who I worked for years ago) and was blessed to meet one of them on my Zimbabwe trip. Blessings to you, your family and your ministry.
Really wonderful essay Joel. The point about becoming too reliant on personal stories or illustrations is going to stay with me for awhile. I can see your point that while good storytelling can be essential for engaging audiences, for challenging people to witness their faith in new and deeper ways, it can also be a slippery slope, where we find ourselves talking more and more about interpretations of Scripture rather than the words themselves.
Thank you! I am also turning 40 later this year, and now you have me wondering how I can focus the occasion more on serving others rather than myself.
Hi Joel, Are we there yet? To 40? Thank you so much for sharing some of your experiences with us. Definitely inspirational and motivating! I'm so glad you offered the 40 Challenge. I have been thinking about and wanting to do something along those lines and this was just what I needed to jump right in and do it. I chose to sponsor a 3 year old little girl whose birthday is today, 6/10. I'm excited to receive more information and to begin contributing to Compassion International's endeavor to help change the lives of children. I feel blessed to be able to bless a child with hope and the feeling that someone who doesn't even know her cares about her. Thank you for challenging us and reminding us of this opportunity to sponsor a child. Keep us posted...Are we there yet?
I’ll check w the team at compassion and circle back!
Joel, the impressions you shared are so similar to what I learned on a mission trip to Zimbabwe in 2012. This trip then led me to preparing future mission teams at our church. You're right -- sometimes we have the mindset we are the savior! Part of preparation for the teams I prepared, was to read "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself." What truly struck me on my trip was the uninhibited joy and worship the people had. We had brought some sewing machines, and the ladies broke out in song and dance and lifted the machines high in praise. And, seeing orphans who literally had nothing. No home. No parents. Not even shoes -- often times an older sibling taking care of the younger ones. Heartbreaking -- but they were always full of joy -- truly could only be from God. I appreciate your challenge to sponsor children from Compassion International and pray that 40 are sponsored. We currently sponsor children through World Vision (who I worked for years ago) and was blessed to meet one of them on my Zimbabwe trip. Blessings to you, your family and your ministry.