Help Kristen get her donkey

This photo of Kristen was taken last month while in India by her friend Chanda.

Matthew 21:1-3 "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

A few weeks ago, an friend of mine returned home from a photography/mission trip to India with more than the usual souvenirs you would expect from such an adventure. Kristen took hundreds of photographs, made some new friends and fell in love with the people of India. One thing she did not expect though was to contract Colitis while she was there. In fact, during her last few days in India, Kristen came into contact with a virus that began this infection when caring for some children she had met there. It became necessary for her to be admitted to the hospital for a strong dose of antibiotics and fluids the last week there.

Upon returning home, Kristen thought all her medical issues had been dealt with, but I'm sad to tell you that she had continued to have significant physical problems since she has returned home. To complicate the matter, Kristen and her husband Zack, do not have any medical insurance and don't qualify for medicaid. Zack and Kristen are a wonderful, creative and caring couple that pour their lives into those around them. They work in youth ministry in the same small city as I do, and I count their service and ministry a blessing to me as well.

In the wake of change in the area of the medical care in the U.S., I have heard many stories of people caught in the place or pre-existing conditions, overwhelming deductibles, and missing medical assistance because they simply can't afford it! Kristen's story is one more of many, but since she's important to me (and many others too) - I think it's one that needs to be told...until something is done and she can receive the medical care she needs.

There are many areas of need in people's lives, but the physical well-being of a person can impact the whole person. I feel its important for Christians - or try to live in the way of Jesus - to speak up, stand up and do what they can to help when a need comes to the surface in there neighborhood and beyond.

In the story of Palm Sunday, Jesus sents his disciples to get a donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem. He simply tells them that is anyone asks why they are taking the donkey to tell them, "The Lord has need of it." It may seem to be an odd line of reasoning, but I think there is something to this.

Kristen has need of health care. Kristen can't get healthcare on her own. As a fellow disciple, isn't it my role to go and find a way to help her get what she needs? I think so.

If you would like to visit Kristen's photography website or if you have some information that would help her find what she needs, please post a comment below. Let's help Kristen get her donkey.

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

Search This Blog