community…

I have heard the blogging community compared to a real community of believers. And how although it’s just virtual, we can live out like the Early churched lived – sharing, caring, giving, praying for others. I have personally experienced this in many ways – from sending Christmas cards, receiving Christmas cards, a complete stranger letting me borrow his PowerBook for three months, prayer for my surgery, for others, and when we needed several hundred dollars last minute for our mission trip to Scotland. I don’t remember exactly how much PEOPLE I HAVE NEVER MET invested in my trip, but it was several hundred dollars and the way God worked in and through people was an extreme miracle and God’s glory was clearly shown.

I know write on behalf of one of my closest friends. I met her when she was a wee high school senior, then she joined the staff where I worked at the church in Kansas. We took trips to Texas and chased cowboys, took photos with street vendors selling roses, and she shared with me one of my most embarrassing moments (which I will not – and she will not – mention). She eventually became part of the Communications Team and I had the honor of watching her grow professionally as an artist and spiritually as a person. She is one of the most generous people I know (and I know this because I do her taxes every year – It’s sick. I love doing taxes. So sue me.)

Now my dear sister Crystal Renaud (AKA Pink Haired Girl) is taking a huge leap of faith and has signed up to go to South Africa on mission in a few short months. She is in the same position I was in several months ago – a last minute time crunch to come up with serious cash. Last I checked, she needed around $1000 and she needs it by January 15th.

I URGE you – think about the way you value these blogging communities we have formed. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Be unreasonably generous. You probably don’t know Crystal. You probably don’t know me. But I know Crystal and I know God has called her to go on this trip.

If you would like to act on this, visit her website dedicated to her Africa trip here. You will see what she’ll be doing and the organization she will be working with. I personally have met the founder of Oceans of Mercy and God has been doing amazing things with him. Another friend of ours worked at the AIDS orphanage for a few months this past year, and my very own maid of honor and her husband will be going out there as missionaries as well.

Please pray about this and think on this. I can think of no one better way of showing the validity of online community than by supporting our friends in ways that will make the world a better place, and give glory to God.

Visit Crystal’s Mission Website