One minute later we are standing in a grocery store that in every way contrasted what we just saw. Bright lights, sparkling floors, food of every kind and brand we have dreamed of for the last 9 months. Our minds can’t even wrap themselves around the excess that this place contains, so we start with a lap around the store to soak it all in. We pass bratty kids upset at the idea of only getting one of their favorite ice cream bars and full carts of food. It was overwhelming. And the thought of those little children outside made it all the worse.
How can such disparity exist so close to each other? It doesn’t make sense.
So we came home and climbed into our sweaty beds and I couldn’t help but think of the millions of people living lives just like these kids. I was reminded of something Seth Barnes, the founder of Adventures in Missions said one time, “What keeps you up at night?” I’ve been thinking on that for months. What gets your blood flowing? What literally keeps you up at night, running through your head? What ideas can you not shake? Most nights I hate to say, the thoughts that keep me up are selfish. But every now and again I get past thoughts of myself and on to something bigger.
So, what keeps me up at night?
Right now the thought of orphans and street children with no where to go and no one love them. It’s even more sickening to think that some of these innocent children are bought and traded and used at their new owner’s discretion. Abandoned, lonely, tired, searching…it’s almost too much to handle when I let my mind go.
They need mothers. They need Jesus. They need stability, love, education, hope.
So now you know where I am. Where are you? What keeps you up? And if you figure that out, whats stopping you from joining ‘the cause,’ whatever that may be?
