Advent conspiracy
Sophie - December 9, 2008
Most of y'all know that I went on a life-changing trip to Africa back in February. You also know that Melanie went on a life-changing trip to the Dominican Republic about a month ago. And in the last couple of weeks, Mel and I have had a couple of conversations about how what we saw on our trips will undoubtedly affect how we celebrate Christmas this year. We most definitely want to our children to continue to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas - but we also want them to develop a perspective that goes way deeper than how many toys are under the tree on Christmas morning.
Because the fact of the matter is that it's hard to justify giving our little people toys they don't even need when there are kids in other parts of the world that don't have clean water to drink. When there are kids who may or may not have food to eat tomorrow. When there are children dying every single day from completely preventable - and curable - diseases.
Perspective.
So when I saw this video, I amen'd just a little bit. Actually, I amen'd a lot. In fact, if you had heard me, you might have wondered if I hadn't set up my own personal camp meeting. It resonated with me way down deep in my soul. And I sort of cried like a baby.
Amen.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." - I Timothy 6:6-7
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (8)
Hey Sophie ~ I posted this on my blog, too, this week. EVERY time I see it…it affects me…convicts…encourages. LOVE its message and I KNOW it’s moving people to action.
BTW, I’m in the control room watching Paige and Pam filming promos for Lifeway. Finally hit the All Access page ‘cause they keep hyping it!
xo
Posted on December 9, 2008 8:55 AM
I’ve seen this, too. Imagine what could happen if each of us did one thing- even one small thing- for someone ouside our comfort zone. Thanks for sharing.
Posted on December 9, 2008 12:04 PM
Hey Sophie,
Yesterday somebody at work sent us the video (and website) via e-mail, and I had the EXACT SAME REACTION. I have never been on a mission trip outside of the United States, but have been on a couple of virtual ones due to the nature of my work as a video transcriptionist for major international ministry. Also, our cousin went to Haiti back in October and will be going back next week. We watched hours of video from the orphanage where they served, and let me just say I did number on a box of Kleenex that night. I, too, posted the video on my blog and on facebook. This is definitely the mentality we all need to adopt.
Posted on December 9, 2008 1:16 PM
Amen!
Posted on December 9, 2008 2:00 PM
I’ve watched that video like 8 or 75 times now. And it BLOWS MY MIND every time. EVERY TIME. Just the thought that if we shifted our focus — just a bit — we could solve the water crisis. Unthinkable!
Last year at this time, I sat at Imago Dei and listened to Rick McKinley and his wife (the people behind the vision) talk about Advent Conspiracy. They’re just normal people who happen to serve our Really Big God…a Really Big God who happens to care a whole lot about the people of Africa and dare I say it — not so much about our 42nd set of Ginsu knives.
Posted on December 9, 2008 5:17 PM
I posted this same video the other day on my blog and a different one yesterday with a similar theme, highlighting how little it can take for us to make a big difference, especially if we can get a whole bunch of people to do even a little.
Posted on December 9, 2008 7:43 PM
This brings so much into perspective, doesn’t it?? It really makes you sit down and think about the “things” in our life that are REALLY important. Thanks for sharing this…I think I’m gonna post it on my website and link it back here.
Posted on December 10, 2008 1:19 PM
Thanks for sharing this with your readers. The concept of the Conspiracy really began to touch me last year, and I’m trying to take a more active role in spreading the news this year. For anyone who might be interested, I’ve set up something of an Advent Conspiracy Shopper’s Guide.
Grace and Peace, Raffi Shahinian
Posted on December 10, 2008 3:01 PM