Our Chance to Change the World...

This past week was spent serving inner city kids and meeting other needs in Buffalo. The wildest part of it all is that we entered into a completely different world...ten minutes down the road from where we live. And I cant think of anything more challenging than that fact.

The week had its ups and downs as one can imagine, what with being in charge of 30+ five and six year old boys. But I would give a whole lot to do it again.

Sitting here tonight, I think about all I have seen over the past 6 days... In fact, I cant get it out of my head. Try as I might, images seem to be burned on the back of my eyes, as if I see the world I am in now through those memories... How different life is.

Sharing the images on my mind seems futile - like telling a Texan the good points about snow - only because I know that hearing it isnt like experiencing it. But I cant not tell. And I think it needs to be heard.

There are good images like Jermaine dancing up and down during closing ceremony, spinning in circles, trying to follow along with the song as best he could. And all the while looking up at me with his dark brown eyes and bright white smile. Or like watching Isaac share his toy with the same boys who would simply rip it out of his hands if he didnt give it willingly. Or sitting on the bus ride home, squeezed in a seat with three boys, and having us all tell stories and share 15 minutes of life together.

There are bad images like breaking up a fight between two five year olds and, while holding one of them away from the other, seeing the malice in his eyes and feeling his heart beating wildly with rage. Or the image of Mu-Nae, a Burmese refugee, walking out of her tiny apartment, confusion in her eyes, and her three children staring up at us with wonder. Or watching a fourteen and fifteen year old out on the street tell of their drug deals and the joy they would have in shooting someone with their newly bought "pieces of steel."

And there are heartbreaking images. Ones that can stop a smile mid-laugh. Like watching the tears roll down Linda's face, a homeless woman seeking prayer for a place to stay. Or hearing about one of the boy's mom who prostitutes herself to support her drug addiction, leaving the children home alone for days. Or seeing an old woman, who reminded me so much of my own grandma, stand in the blazing sun for half an hour just to get a bag of groceries because she has no one to care for her.

The images are vibrant and distinct right now. But Im worried that, as they start to slowly fade away, I will forget. Im worried I will forget Rodney's smile in spite of his horrendous situation. Im worried I will forget that these boys need more love and attention or they will end up a prison, youth violence, or death statistic. Im worried I will forget that all this need is just around the corner.

And as I think about forgetting, I know that I need to soak up what God has taught me this week as much as possible so that it is ingrained in me - even when the images fade.

So what to do now? How do we change how we live in suburbia to meet these needs? What can I do to help past this one week?

Leviticus 19: The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy....' When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God."

As I read this, I wonder how many times suburban Christians have gone over their harvest fields twice to gather everything for themselves that they can - myself included. How often do we milk all we can get out of situations, only to horde it for ourselves? We work overtime, we spend time finding great deals, we tithe our 10% and dont give a penny more... all so that our bank accounts can grow, our toys can multiply, and our security is cushioned. Why arent we allowing the edges of the harvest or the second gleaning to go to the incredible number of both the poor and alien in our own city?

And even more than how we live our individual lives, I think the way we do church needs to change; too often we pick up the grapes that have fallen and eat them ourselves when it comes to ministry as well. Why do we want to spend our money to make our church buildings look the best they can instead of using the money to reach the poor and bring them through our doors? Why does our effort go to creating programs that will "please" the "mature" Christians instead of putting all our effort into helping the nonChristian, the "immature"? What are we doing?

Not that Im in the habit of quoting him, but as Bono says... "Every generation gets a chance to change the world."

God, help us change.

...

Lesson for today: Scrubbing extremely dirty window blinds...out on a dirty sidewalk...with dirty water...and a soft sponge...in the hot sun...with people staring at you... That is definitively NOT the best way to go about cleaning them - no matter what a good idea it seems to be at the time.