Dear Least of These,
I hope this letter finds you well.
Thanks of the picture you sent me last month, and for the sweet message. I have it up on my refrigerator.
Sorry to hear about all the Malaria going around. That must be a real pain.
I saw a CNN report this morning about the genocide in your hometown. I didn’t have the sound on, as I was doing Zumba at the time, but I think I got the gist of it and it looks like a total bummer!
As for me, I’m currently lounging in a Starbucks with my iPad, while enjoying a yummy Frappuccino. (Whoops, I just realized you probably don’t know what any of those words mean, LOL)
Anyway, I’m writing to tell you that the meal you so desperately need, may be delayed indefinitely while I make a point.
You see, those nice people who live there with you and your friends; the ones who give you clothes, and food, and medicine, and their time, and the encouragement and the hugs and the classes, well I’ve never made a big deal about it, but I’m paying their bills, and they’ve kinda ticked me off.
I don’t want to get into it here, but suffice it to say that they obviously don’t seem to care much about the Gospel. (You might remember the Gospel, as we’ve talked about it before. It’s the story of Jesus coming to bring good news to the poor, and freedom from the prisoners, and healing for the hurting, as least, according to him).
Well anyway, the short version, is that they’ve said something recently that offends me, and I simply must make a stand… and that’s where you come in!
I’ve decided that the best way and only that I can defend Jesus in all if this, is to simply “stop payment on the check”, so to speak. And well, it’s your check.
I know that this might mean you’ll have to go without again, and that you may not be getting all those neat things like daily meals, or medical treatment, or a safe place to learn about Jesus, but the really GOOD NEWS, is that you’ll be helping me prove how much faith I have, and how far I’m willing to go for the cause of the Christ! (Isn’t that awesome?!)
It’s actually sorta like we fighting together, only you’ll be on the front lines, and I’ll be here.
In fact, I’m urging lots of my Facebook friends and Twitter followers here to do the same, so you may start seeing many kids there getting drafted into this battle for the Bible along with you, which I hope you will all find incredibly encouraging.
I’m mean, sure you’ll all likely be starving and sickly, and you may be back in the slums before long, but hey, you’ll be participating in Kingdom work!
Well, I’d better run. I’m way behind on Orange Is The New Black, and you know how stressful that can be!
This will be the last letter you’ll receive from me, but please know that you’ll be in my prayers, if not on the payroll.
(You can’t eat prayers, I know, but hey that’s the price of taking a bold stand).
Goodbye and Good luck,
Your Friend and World Vision Defector
P. S. My small group will definitely talking about all this and praying for you on Tuesday night. This week we’re studying Matthew 25:31-46. I’m getting ready to check that out… after I order a refill and a scone.
Blogger’s Note: The question of one’s conscience, and the freedom to withdraw support from an organization whose policies no longer reflect one’s own faith convictions are not being debated here. This is an admission of the dilemma created when one expresses disagreement over one aspect of Scripture, while disregarding another.
At the end of the day, it’s a question of whether it honors God to take a theological stand on the backs of starving children. In matters like these, where passions are high, is the best answer simply to withdraw, condemn, and disengage, or can we forge conversation and compromise that allow us to affirm our beliefs while truly reflecting our love of God and others.
For the sake of the thousands of children whose lives hang in the balance, due to the work of World Vision, I hope so. I believe that Jesus deserves and demands this.
