February 20

I know that I said that my next blog was going to be Sueño, part 2, but I just had to do a quick notice today because it is World Day of Social Justice. It's an international, globally accepted date that is focused on spreading awareness for social justice. I know that sometimes it may feel as if we can not do anything because it is such a huge, overwhelming problem, but we can! There are tons of organizations that want to make it accessible to us, no matter how much we can give - some even ask us to pray, and to devote our time if we have no money. There is always a way to help, and if you just can't, then please, please, spread the news and the resources!

• International Justice Mission - You can give any amount if you wish to help with money, and on the website, ijm.org, they have specific ways that you can raise awareness! This one is my favorite because they actually work with the political side of the issue, which makes them extra effective.


• The Mocha Club - The whole idea behind this is that 2 mochas a month ($7.00) can be effective. Check out all of the things that giving up 2 coffees can do at www.mochaclub.org. I mention them because they also deal in social injustices.


• Compassion International - This is such an amazing organization. A huge way to right an injustice is to personally support a child (or two, or three, or ten) by going to Compassion.com and ensuring that they receive a Godly education and love from you and the wonderful Compassion people who come in actual contact with the children. Through this, you see products of your effort, and it is amazing and rewarding.

Do what you can! Spread the word!

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:6

P.S. - Read today's earlier post, Sueno, Part 1, and see how you can answer the question - I'm looking forward to sharing and hearing!

Just a Start

I have married the most perfect man for me.  When I was little all the way up to high school, I had a very specific and crazy dream.  I wanted to help people in a BIG way.  I wanted to change things and I felt (and still feel) a very personal responsibility for people in need.  What an amazing thing it was to find Billy.  He has a heart that is bigger than mine and dreams that encompass the one that I've had all of these years. Of course, I recognize that God has given all of us such different dreams and goals, and I am just so thankful to have found someone who understands mine so well and who feels as much passion as I do for this.

Anyway, I didn't want to write this about me and Billy (I can't help it, I'm in love!).  I was actually reading this awesome book by a guy named Tom Davis, called Fields of the Fatherless, and I was once again reminded of that thing.  You know, the thing that when you read about it or hear about it, your heart starts to beat really fast, and you just know that this is what your heart was supposed to beat hardest for?  This is it for me.  He talks all about injustice in the world and what we, as Christians, are responsible for.  It always takes me back to Isaiah 1 and 58 (I'm not going to quote them here because these verses are definitely somewhere else on this blog, if not a few times).  These chapters talk about what God really asks of us - to seek out the poor, help the orphans and widows, release those in bondage, feed the hungry.  Of course, it makes me want to go live and breathe for this cause, but we don't have the resources to do that right now.  I do, however, have resources that I, and you, can use to help:

• International Justice Mission - ijm.org - This organization is Christian-based, yet it uses legal action to take care of injustices around the world.  You can financially support a specific area that you want to see justice taken in.  It's an awesome opportunity, and it really makes a consistent, real difference in the lives and future generations of people all over.


• North Charleston Dream Center - Adopt-a-Block - We, at Genesis and Northwood Church, have been going to this awesome event for the past 6 months or so, and this month, Genesis is heading up it's own block.  This means that we have our own block of people that we can minister to specifically as we get to know them and their needs personally.  Billy is heading this up, and we are just so excited to see what God will do through our group.  We are hoping that the small spark we have can create a fire as people join us.  If you are going to be in Charleston on the first Saturday of the month, starting in December, email us and we can get you connected.  Here, you can watch a video of what the whole Dream Center is about.  It's awesome, and I'm amazed that we have a chance to be a part of it:  Dream Center Promo Video.

I'm interested to see what kind of things are on your heart.  If you have something specific and a way that others can join you in making a difference, leave a comment.  There's so much out there to be done!  Our God is so big, and it's so amazing to be a part of His body.