Social Upgrading

Both my churches are big fans of global justice. We want the world to become a better place, and we'd like to think that we can help in some small matter.

Not surprisingly, the "cooler" of the two churches focuses most of their efforts on Asia. The congregation is largely Korean, so I don't see any reason why they wouldn't focus on Korean and island nations.

"Quakerville" is a little more old-fashioned. We stick to good ol' Africa. (You can always find plenty of poor and hungry folks in Africa. Always.)

Still, with all our care and concern for missions, it surprises me how often we're taken aback. I wasn't aware that human trafficking was more popular now than ever. Still, given the amount of dirt-cheap products being cranked out, I can't say that I was horribly shocked.

Yesterday the congregation of my home church was told that 4 million people had died in the Congo wars and that 100,000 women had been raped with very little judicial action against such a heinous crime. I'm not sure which is worse; the number of people who didn't have any clue and were completely shocked, or the fact that I wasn't surprised at all.

Plenty of people in the world to care about. But with 6.5 billion people and limited time, there are many that slip through the cracks and out of our scope of knowledge.

The day wasn't a complete somber-fest. I had probably the best hand-holder next to me in church. (Hand-holding/shaking is a lost art...)

Mission for Missions?

Howdy,

First off I have to comment on the fact that I don't have any bible groups this week. I have an entire week between one schedule church activity to the next. !!! And I find it odd how quickly I've acclimated to 3 "services"/gatherings a week. Helps that I have good people in both groups. Ah well, next week will be here too soon...

Once again I've been asked to care about everyone. Specifically people out in the other parts of the world and for anyone who might be in need that I'll ever come across. Oh, and for those that would come in contact with those that I don't know who are going out into the world. : You can see how I'd feel a little overwhelmed and detached at the same time.

I'm all for spreading God's word. If people feel called to go out and do that in other parts of the world? Kudos. I don't. At all. Never had a traveling bug, and God's going to have to invoke some major changes if I'm supposed to go out into the world. As I am right now, my brain would implode. That's one thing I can't really relate to.

The other aspect is that the church leaders come right out and tell us what people aren't legally allowed to be missionaries. What people are breaking the law by being representatives. That I have a problem with. I know God is bigger than any law, but I have a hard time supporting this breaking of laws so intenionally, so that's another strike from me.

Look, I'm all for caring about people. I like doing the whole pay-for-the-person-behind-you-in-the-drive-thru. If I see somebody I feel I'm supposed to help, then I try to help them. But I don't feel obligated to help everyone. And I have a hard time caring about people in other places. If God puts someone on my heart, then of course. There is that whole distance/disconnect.

As for homeless? All the government and homeless agencies say to give them food or give to shelters. There just aren't enough beds in times of cold. If I have a granola bar, I hand it out. If I feel led to do something, I might.

The question is, am I doing enough?

Kudos to church for making me wonder, and every good deed you do, you do for God. So I have no problem being wary about how good I really am.