So glad to see this video is making the rounds on the Internet. I posted it on Facebook this week and about to post it on our adoption blog as well.
OPINION: It sometimes feels like the American church has empowered the “casual Christian” and I think we ALL need to see the harsh realities that exists outside of our comfort zones. If we show the “Jesus Film” on various mission trips across the globe we need to be showing this video in every church across America.
I don’t know if this hit me harder because my son is buried in Ethiopia after having died from nutirtion issues and my daughter hails from that part of the world as well – but whatever reason it hit me hard.
We can’t – in good faith – see something like this, know that it is happening… and sit back and do nothing.
Thanks Anne for posting this – I know ith your ties to Uganda this had to be VERY VERY hard to watch…
Anne,
Thanks for posting this.
I am sitting at my kitchen table with about 200 bagels that we got from Einstien Bagels yesterday. They were throwing them away. Wish I could ship them to Uganda.
p.s. anne — you think compassion intl is the ‘best’ way to sponsor a child? what about this foundation listed at the end of this video? it seems there are so many different places/foundations to donate – how do you know which to choose?
Just being home from Ethiopia, with our new son. This just reaffirms what I know, we have to do what we can, sacrifice, give till it hurts and then some. We know, now we must act. Period.
Thanks. I Love your heart and seeing what God is doing in you.
What do I do with this? I’m really asking. What should my response be? My heart’s been broken for the children in Africa for nine years now. I already sponsor kids, I give to different organizations. Tell me what I’m supposed to do. Do I give it all away and make my family live at a subsistence level? Do I just live with a broken heart? Do I just live with the guilt and grief? What about the millions of AIDS orphans in the rest of Africa? What about the thousands of street kids in Kampala, or Calcutta, or Nairobi, or Mexico City?
i’m with mandythompson on this. I feel ashamed that i live with so MUCH that I simply do not need. And I am also with Zelig wondering where this leaves me and what I am to do specifically right now.
God show us what our part in healing the world may be.
Someone asked me that question recently after I posted this video on my blog. I think my biggest purpose in posting this video was to keep people from apathy. It’s very difficult to watch a video like this and not have SOME response, even though it may be a negative one.
I agree with your sentiment – it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed and completely helpless watching something like this, but I think one of Satan’s favorite tactics is keeping people (especially Americans) in apathy to the world around them. As long as they are apathetic, he doesn’t have to worry about what they’re doing because they’re not doing anything.
Satan also likes for us to feel helpless. So, once we’re past apathy, we’re often paralyzed in what to do.
Chris and I also sponsor kids (we are about to add our third one). We also give to support other organizations, and give to our church, which in turn helps the community right where we live. First know you ARE doing something.
Is God calling you to do more? I don’t know – and I think that looks different for everyone. One way we measure is by asking ourselves “Do we feel it?” Meaning, do we feel that we are sacrificing? We have chosen to live in an inexpensive rental and to do without a lot of “things” because to us, that is not important. However, we are kind of getting comfortable again so it’s time to do more. If we aren’t sacrificing, I don’t think we’re doing all we can.
Randi – Chris and I personally agree with the programs that Compassion does – child development, church based, run by nationals of the country. There are so many great organizations out there and we do give to others…just do your research and I believe you’ll find the right step for you.
Anne
thank you as I seat here pondering what i just watch and thinking about those that need help from the homeless here in Nashville to across our World.,from adults to the littlest child.May we as believers never turn anyone away that needs help.
I will be going back to Kenya for a third trip this summer. I have also been thinking about Africa allot the last couple of weeks. I posted the video on my blog and will point my congregants there tomorrow. just so happens I am speaking about what are we doing with our lives. Eph 2
Thanks for the great last minute material. I too sat and sobbed, it breaks my heart, and I know it breaks the heart of God to see these children starving…
Anne- First, I apologize for my tone in the earlier comment. I was frustrated and I let it out on you. I ask your forgiveness.
I’m not sure I was made to handle the knowledge of the suffering of the whole world. It saps me emotionally, and tends to make me numb to the pain of the folks who live right next door.
You asked a question, “Is God calling you to do more?” Probably, but I’ve got to figure out if it’s him calling me to it, or if it’s me just to relieve a little guilt and feel better.
I held up well. I got a little blurry-eyed about two minutes in. But then at the end when it said that their older sister can now be a child, the blur turned into a full blown tear.
How is God NOT calling all of us to do more? Unless we’ve all sold everything we have and given it to the poor, we haven’t done all we can. There’s so much rhetoric about serving where we are and rich people needing Jesus and churches needing top-of-the-line technology in order to “reach this generation.” Forgive my language, but that’s B.S. It’s an excuse for keeping our lives comfortable when we know others are starving. It’s an excuse for making our churches shrines to capitalism and opulence when the poor of this world have church (and see their churches grow exponentially) without even having buildings. It’s an excuse for closing our eyes because the problem is too big to handle.
Realizing that every decision we make about money impacts the poor is not legalism. It’s answering the need that IS the call, and we will be held to account for all the ways we ignore that call, every single day.
we happened to watch this as we were almost out the door to a s’bowl get-together.
we had spent the last hour making snack food to take with us.
after being the car 30 seconds, my youngest daughter (7), commented about how sad the video was. i am very short in the education of my family about how we show love. i may watch this video every day until i do something.
I’ve watched this video and wept. I think about my little Irene, the girl I sponsor from Ethopia (Compassion Sponsorship BTW) and I wonder … This shocks my system; and I think that is the point. Get the apathy out.
Then I read Zelig’s comments I totally agreed. I don’t know exactly what God is calling us to, but it is clear to me that throughout this nation, He is calling His believers to more. I know He is calling me to do more.
I’m going to share this with my kds, thank you for posting. Heartbreaking.
Gin
this really was hard to watch – made me realize how much we take for granted – and how much we need to be Him to others who don’t know him – i linked it on my facebook for all my friends to see – thank you, thank you for sharing
Bryce
well i made it to 8:56, but now have been crying for the last 10 min…
I don’t know what else to say, it’s tremendously heartbreaking.
It’s really frustrating that the majority of people in the 1st world, myself included, take for granted the blessing that have been bestowed on our lives.
So what if we don’t drive a new car, or have a big house. we live for the most part without having to wonder when or where our next meal will come from, much less if we will eat again, yet all over the world a great number of people, live with the constant question of if they will ever eat again.
Fellow Christian’s it’s time we practice what we preach and show Christs love to the world. Lets step out our comfort zones raise awareness of such issues, and do everything in our power to live our lives in a manner that is worthy of the gift that was bestowed to us on the cross.
Dear Anne,
I have no idea how I got here to your blog just now but I watched this video just for a few moments and I could watch no more…I cried harder than I ever have…..
I will never be the same.
I am ashamed at myself.
I hate that this happens.
I feel so sick.
why?
Sara McNutt
My heart feels crushed. I feel so angry and wonder at God’s unfailing love. Not at its existence but at its mercy. I’m angry at myself and Christians here in the Privileged Land, who want more money to add to their multi-million dollar sanctuaries. I’m angry at the Christian last night who told me that a 1500 square foot home is SMALL, and that she didn’t know what she would do without a playroom. And I’m angry at myself that I got mad at my husband because I didn’t get my way. Such stupid, trivial things when you consider the suffering that exists. I’m sorry, Jesus. I’m so sorry.
Mazui
I feel bad because I didn’t cry, in fact I got angry at the rich countries of the world trying so hard to prevent Africa from developing and being self-sufficient. I hear they have a LOT of untapped oil, so maybe it’s about the oil again. I want to find a charity that feeds children but doesn’t give them excessive vaccines that sterilize them. I just wish we’d let them develop. They prevent Africa from developing and feed them the lie of global warming as a reason for being disallowed to develop technologies. It makes me just so mad. The lie of global warming is killing people. There’s mass shortages of food because of “alternative” fuel sources – corn. Lets let people in an entire country starve and die so we don’t have to feel bad about using a big car- i mean “just incase” global warming is real you want to “save the planet”. Great. (Not YOU the author of the blog, just, a general “you”, to whom it applies.)
Comments
43 responses to “1:56”
I cried for about 8 of the 9 min…unreal story of hope.
This makes me ashamed of the amount of food in my pantry, clothes in my closet, and pillows on my couch…
Absolutely ashamed.
I held up. Got a little blurry-eyed about two minutes in. The words about Jane now being able to be a child broke me.
I am so spoiled.
Thank you for posting this. I sat here with my 5 & 7 year old boys and watched it.
This is easily one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. Thank you for posting this.
So glad to see this video is making the rounds on the Internet. I posted it on Facebook this week and about to post it on our adoption blog as well.
OPINION: It sometimes feels like the American church has empowered the “casual Christian” and I think we ALL need to see the harsh realities that exists outside of our comfort zones. If we show the “Jesus Film” on various mission trips across the globe we need to be showing this video in every church across America.
I don’t know if this hit me harder because my son is buried in Ethiopia after having died from nutirtion issues and my daughter hails from that part of the world as well – but whatever reason it hit me hard.
We can’t – in good faith – see something like this, know that it is happening… and sit back and do nothing.
Thanks Anne for posting this – I know ith your ties to Uganda this had to be VERY VERY hard to watch…
Anne,
Thanks for posting this.
I am sitting at my kitchen table with about 200 bagels that we got from Einstien Bagels yesterday. They were throwing them away. Wish I could ship them to Uganda.
mark
i watched this last week on another blog and haven’t gone a day without thinking about those two sweet children.
ohh anne :( I am ashamed that it’s unbearable for me to watch. I have to turn away — my heart bleeds too much :(
p.s. anne — you think compassion intl is the ‘best’ way to sponsor a child? what about this foundation listed at the end of this video? it seems there are so many different places/foundations to donate – how do you know which to choose?
p.s. again — wouldn’t the older sister want to be with her younger siblings? why do they split them up? :(
Just being home from Ethiopia, with our new son. This just reaffirms what I know, we have to do what we can, sacrifice, give till it hurts and then some. We know, now we must act. Period.
Thanks. I Love your heart and seeing what God is doing in you.
What do I do with this? I’m really asking. What should my response be? My heart’s been broken for the children in Africa for nine years now. I already sponsor kids, I give to different organizations. Tell me what I’m supposed to do. Do I give it all away and make my family live at a subsistence level? Do I just live with a broken heart? Do I just live with the guilt and grief? What about the millions of AIDS orphans in the rest of Africa? What about the thousands of street kids in Kampala, or Calcutta, or Nairobi, or Mexico City?
i’m with mandythompson on this. I feel ashamed that i live with so MUCH that I simply do not need. And I am also with Zelig wondering where this leaves me and what I am to do specifically right now.
God show us what our part in healing the world may be.
Zelig,
Someone asked me that question recently after I posted this video on my blog. I think my biggest purpose in posting this video was to keep people from apathy. It’s very difficult to watch a video like this and not have SOME response, even though it may be a negative one.
I agree with your sentiment – it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed and completely helpless watching something like this, but I think one of Satan’s favorite tactics is keeping people (especially Americans) in apathy to the world around them. As long as they are apathetic, he doesn’t have to worry about what they’re doing because they’re not doing anything.
Satan also likes for us to feel helpless. So, once we’re past apathy, we’re often paralyzed in what to do.
Chris and I also sponsor kids (we are about to add our third one). We also give to support other organizations, and give to our church, which in turn helps the community right where we live. First know you ARE doing something.
Is God calling you to do more? I don’t know – and I think that looks different for everyone. One way we measure is by asking ourselves “Do we feel it?” Meaning, do we feel that we are sacrificing? We have chosen to live in an inexpensive rental and to do without a lot of “things” because to us, that is not important. However, we are kind of getting comfortable again so it’s time to do more. If we aren’t sacrificing, I don’t think we’re doing all we can.
Randi – Chris and I personally agree with the programs that Compassion does – child development, church based, run by nationals of the country. There are so many great organizations out there and we do give to others…just do your research and I believe you’ll find the right step for you.
I might have missed the part where they split up?
Anne
thank you as I seat here pondering what i just watch and thinking about those that need help from the homeless here in Nashville to across our World.,from adults to the littlest child.May we as believers never turn anyone away that needs help.
anne,
I will be going back to Kenya for a third trip this summer. I have also been thinking about Africa allot the last couple of weeks. I posted the video on my blog and will point my congregants there tomorrow. just so happens I am speaking about what are we doing with our lives. Eph 2
Thanks for the great last minute material. I too sat and sobbed, it breaks my heart, and I know it breaks the heart of God to see these children starving…
HELP?Does anyone have direct contact info for Laurie Kroll of Village2Village in this video: http://ow.ly/84P …Pls Retweet!
http://twitter.com/MarcWright
Anne- First, I apologize for my tone in the earlier comment. I was frustrated and I let it out on you. I ask your forgiveness.
I’m not sure I was made to handle the knowledge of the suffering of the whole world. It saps me emotionally, and tends to make me numb to the pain of the folks who live right next door.
You asked a question, “Is God calling you to do more?” Probably, but I’ve got to figure out if it’s him calling me to it, or if it’s me just to relieve a little guilt and feel better.
Z – no worries. I didn’t sense any tone! :) but thank you for being sensitive and apologizing! i cant wait to see what your journey looks like
I posted this on my blog as well…I was scared my kids would wake up from my crying…it hurts…now I have to figure out what God wants me to do with it…
that’s the way I feel too Z. both comments.
there’s no excuse.
I’m sorry God.
(i cant type anything else.)
And now I have to preach in 12 hours. Oh Jesus….
2:07…That’s as far as I made it before…
I held up well. I got a little blurry-eyed about two minutes in. But then at the end when it said that their older sister can now be a child, the blur turned into a full blown tear.
There is work to be done.
pretty, poetic words do not equal positive action
to steal a quote “there is work to be done”.
come, Lord Jesus…
How is God NOT calling all of us to do more? Unless we’ve all sold everything we have and given it to the poor, we haven’t done all we can. There’s so much rhetoric about serving where we are and rich people needing Jesus and churches needing top-of-the-line technology in order to “reach this generation.” Forgive my language, but that’s B.S. It’s an excuse for keeping our lives comfortable when we know others are starving. It’s an excuse for making our churches shrines to capitalism and opulence when the poor of this world have church (and see their churches grow exponentially) without even having buildings. It’s an excuse for closing our eyes because the problem is too big to handle.
Realizing that every decision we make about money impacts the poor is not legalism. It’s answering the need that IS the call, and we will be held to account for all the ways we ignore that call, every single day.
This broke my heart in a lot of places.
anne, thanks.
we happened to watch this as we were almost out the door to a s’bowl get-together.
we had spent the last hour making snack food to take with us.
after being the car 30 seconds, my youngest daughter (7), commented about how sad the video was. i am very short in the education of my family about how we show love. i may watch this video every day until i do something.
I’ve watched this video and wept. I think about my little Irene, the girl I sponsor from Ethopia (Compassion Sponsorship BTW) and I wonder … This shocks my system; and I think that is the point. Get the apathy out.
Then I read Zelig’s comments I totally agreed. I don’t know exactly what God is calling us to, but it is clear to me that throughout this nation, He is calling His believers to more. I know He is calling me to do more.
Heavenly Dad – help us do your will.
I’m going to share this with my kds, thank you for posting. Heartbreaking.
this really was hard to watch – made me realize how much we take for granted – and how much we need to be Him to others who don’t know him – i linked it on my facebook for all my friends to see – thank you, thank you for sharing
well i made it to 8:56, but now have been crying for the last 10 min…
I don’t know what else to say, it’s tremendously heartbreaking.
It’s really frustrating that the majority of people in the 1st world, myself included, take for granted the blessing that have been bestowed on our lives.
So what if we don’t drive a new car, or have a big house. we live for the most part without having to wonder when or where our next meal will come from, much less if we will eat again, yet all over the world a great number of people, live with the constant question of if they will ever eat again.
Fellow Christian’s it’s time we practice what we preach and show Christs love to the world. Lets step out our comfort zones raise awareness of such issues, and do everything in our power to live our lives in a manner that is worthy of the gift that was bestowed to us on the cross.
Yeah…that freakin rocked.
Dear Anne,
I have no idea how I got here to your blog just now but I watched this video just for a few moments and I could watch no more…I cried harder than I ever have…..
I will never be the same.
I am ashamed at myself.
I hate that this happens.
I feel so sick.
why?
My heart feels crushed. I feel so angry and wonder at God’s unfailing love. Not at its existence but at its mercy. I’m angry at myself and Christians here in the Privileged Land, who want more money to add to their multi-million dollar sanctuaries. I’m angry at the Christian last night who told me that a 1500 square foot home is SMALL, and that she didn’t know what she would do without a playroom. And I’m angry at myself that I got mad at my husband because I didn’t get my way. Such stupid, trivial things when you consider the suffering that exists. I’m sorry, Jesus. I’m so sorry.
I feel bad because I didn’t cry, in fact I got angry at the rich countries of the world trying so hard to prevent Africa from developing and being self-sufficient. I hear they have a LOT of untapped oil, so maybe it’s about the oil again. I want to find a charity that feeds children but doesn’t give them excessive vaccines that sterilize them. I just wish we’d let them develop. They prevent Africa from developing and feed them the lie of global warming as a reason for being disallowed to develop technologies. It makes me just so mad. The lie of global warming is killing people. There’s mass shortages of food because of “alternative” fuel sources – corn. Lets let people in an entire country starve and die so we don’t have to feel bad about using a big car- i mean “just incase” global warming is real you want to “save the planet”. Great. (Not YOU the author of the blog, just, a general “you”, to whom it applies.)
I am ashamed.
I am sorry.
I have asked Jesus what I am to do and I will do it.