Bridges

Have you thought about bridges lately? Ever? Let's state the obvious:
~ bridges are a way to get from one place to another
~ bridges have to be built
~ bridges should be used
~ bridges must be maintained or repaired or they'll collapse


You know where I'm going with this, don't you? grace in ACTION usa is all about building bridges. Our slogan says it best, "Bridging the church to the community." But the bridge we're trying to build ends up in a part of the community where most of us would rather not go.


There are two spans on the GiA bridge ~ education and economic development. The education girders are being put in place. They are the strong supports needed in every child's life. Included are the Life Skills of understanding themselves, their relationships, their potential and value, and how to live a life of integrity in today's world. Beside these go the Job Skills necessary to become productive citizens.


Church! Will you join us on the bridge to the community by tutoring a child? The bridge will be paved with the love of Christ you show each deserving child.

Reflections on the Road Less Traveled

The road is lonely ~ that should be obvious ~ unless you don't like people anyhow and would rather be alone. For me, the road is lonely because I'm beginning to realize that very few are even looking for the road. I don't think it's even on a GPS or google.

The road is bumpy! Since this way has so few travelers, why should anyone spend time and money to pave it? So you'll have to climb over boulders, navigate the twists and turns, struggle past the ups and downs, and often stop to rest.

Is this road going nowhere? I don't see anyone up ahead to ask.

What road? The road that leads out of poverty.

Someday, I'm going to look behind me and see a few children and young people. And, God willing, they'll look back and see even more kids. By then, the road won't be quite so rough and long, praise God!

The road less traveled; I didn't choose it, but I'll stay on it as long as possible. As for a GPS, the Holy Spirit's navigating, thank you very much!

I'd love to have you join me.

But, what if. . . ?

The New Living translation of Proverbs 22:6 says, Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain on it.

Good advice, Solomon! But, what if a child is born into a home where his parents hadn't chosen the right path? What if this child's parents are addicted to drugs or alcohol? What if the path they've chosen is one of laziness and dependence? What if the child is an orphan? What if. . . ?

How would you answer these questions? Is there a way to solve such enormous problems?

Every ministry to the poor must find answers to these and dozens of others questions facing them as they try to help. Do you provide funds when the money runs out before the next welfare check arrives? Should you continually give food and clothes to everyone who shows up at the door? Will you travel many miles each week to pick up the kids for Sunday School and AWANA? Is it enabling those who live in poverty when you give them what they need without requiring anything from them?

grace in ACTION usa wrestles with such questions, and we're asking . . .
What if . . . we show impoverished children another way?
What if . . . poverty's kids learn how to make right and good choices?
What if . . . they learn about morals, manners, and good personal care?
They deserve to know about the right kind of love! They ought to understand the value and use of money. They'll love discovering how God made them and beginning to dream about what they could become.

What if you got involved?

Dark as a Pocket

Have you checked your pockets lately?

Dark in there, isn't it? Dirty, too. Mine are often full of trash ~ mostly gum wrappers, and used tissues ~ stuff that I'll throw away when I find a trash can. There's probably lint in the corners. That's dirty, too.

Pockets of poverty are that way. . . dark, dirty, full of trash. . . not a place you'd want to go. Maybe that's one of the reasons we ignore them. I was really surprised to find just such a place five minutes from my house.

Poverty's darkness is often spiritual, even demonic, or drug and alcohol induced. Hope has long since faded, like the light once seen in their children's eyes. The prince of darkness has a grip and doesn't want to let go.

One mission of grace in ACTION usa is to teach the children who live in a "pocket of poverty" that there is another way; they don't have to live in a dark and dirty place when they're grown.

Want to help? Pray for GiA each time you shove your hand in your pocket! Thanks!

Oh, yes! Once in a great while, you'll reach in your pocket and find a $20! That rarely happens in a pocket of poverty!

Compassion is hard work!

It was Desmond Tutu who said, “Frequently people think compassion and love are merely sentimental. No! They are very demanding. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action.”

Action ~ I'd like to add some other words: Hard work, difficult, frustrating, disappointing ~ and let me quickly add rewarding, fulfilling, and joy.

How do you show Christ's compassion when it's hard work? By his grace. As you go into action, you find you're empowered and strengthened by his grace! And you begin to know the joy of compassion.

grace in ACTION usa is all about compassion for those trapped in poverty's grip ~ and the very hard work of doing something to help them find ways out. It starts with education; showing the children another way.

Are you up for some difficult, frustrating, and sometimes disappointing work ~ come join us. Put grace into action; it's rewarding, fulfilling and brings great joy!Want to know more about grace in ACTION? Check us out at http://www.graceinactionusa.org/ .

grace in ACTION usa~ Bridging the church to the community through education and economic development.