Yesterday morning we packaged up 44 bags full of food water candy and some balloons to pass out to street kids. I had the idea that we could ask how to write “Jesus loves you” in Khmer on little pieces of paper and put them in with each bag.

 

Well that idea was quickly shut down by our contact. She did not want the connection made of giving out food with Jesus. She does not want the needy to only rely on Jesus for rice. She does not want people to convert because they are hungry.  It went on to a mini lecture and I was just sitting there biting my tongue. If you know me at all I rarely bite my tongue.

Before I started going off in my head I had to check myself. Was I mad because she turned down my idea? No, I mean not the biggest deal in the world. I was mad because these children who pick up trash and beg on the streets all day are getting something special, something to lift their spirits and there is no connection to Jesus with it.

 “Every good and perfect gift is from above” James 1:17

 I mean clear as day right there, these packages were from God, they were full of love and God is love. What is the point of doing good deeds without Him? We can’t. It is impossible. “We love because He first loved us” 1John 4:19.

 I mean we were not giving these gifts conditionally. We were not demanding them that they must come to church for more food. We were not asking them to declare Jesus is their Lord and Savior after they get a bag. But now it was switched to the opposite spectrum that this love and generosity is from the world. How can that be?! “My Kingdom is not of this world” John 18:36.

So like I was talking to Joni about, if we could have three words to tell anyone it would be Jesus Loves You. I don’t care if I am handing you a bag of food. I don’t care if I am sitting with you in a jail cell. I don’t care if I am so mad at you I can’t breathe. I don’t care if you are my best friend. I don’t care where you are coming from. I don’t care what I am doing. Jesus Loves You.

Everything

should
be
tied
to
that.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click below to see other pictures from this month so far! Love you guys! xoxo
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