The Crazy Gift of Presence
I wrote a post in March titled Dangerous Surrender Is Crazy [read more]. Kay Warren’s book has flat out changed my life! She wrote about visiting a leprosarium in the Philippines and I cried my eyes out. It was very surreal reading her words and completely understanding what she was talking about. I had the incredible opportunity on my Visiting Orphans mission trip in February to minister to lepers. I remember feeling complete abandon sitting with the precious locals of Korah and helping them eat their lunch. I will never really know what it meant to the men and women who were blessed by our team, but we gave them the gift of presence. We were there, physically loving the community of Korah, despite generations of neglect, sorrow, pain, and rejection. When you go on a mission trip you give the gift of presence. Holding a baby who has been abandoned- gives them hope and comfort. Advocating for people who desperately need love is the greatest adventure of your life. I want to continue encouraging moms to do it afraid, love like crazy, and go on a mission trip. Crazy moms like, Kristen Welch understand what it means to advocate as a busy mom for the fatherless.
When you extend [radical] hospitality to Christian brothers, sisters, even when they’re strangers, you make the FAITH visible (3 John 5 MSG).
Just for moms- What have you done this year to give the gift of presence- in your homes or on a mission trip?
(Lori- winner of the Mission Trip Giveaway with a precious leper in Korah)
Chapter 7 – Dangerous Surrender
- In this chapter Kay describes a transformation in her understanding of the essence of compassionate service. Contrast her understanding at the beginning of the chapter with her understanding at the end.
- Discuss the various levels of impact we can have on
those in need:
• providing physical labor
• speaking words of truth
• simply being compassionately present
Do you tend to place a higher value on one over the others? Why or why not? - How might the thought of being a container of God influence your impression of what you have to offer to a hurting world?
- Why did many of the residents of the leprosarium in the Philippines who were already cured of leprosy remain there? Compare their experiences with that of people who bear the “scars” of broken lives as they consider visiting or joining a church.
- Name specific improvements a local congregation can implement to become a place of greater welcome and safety for those who bear the scars of brokenness.
- Kay writes, “To make a difference, you don’t have to have a grand strategy for eliminating poverty, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, greed, or suffering.” What is needed? How does this realization affect your willingness to personally engage with a hurting world?
