Tis the Season

All of our things are condensed to two bedrooms in a missions guest house.   Those things will soon be down to just 5 checked bags and a few carry-ons.  I was thinking today how we've come full circle.  Our "House Hunters" house was huge (at the time, it was the only one we could find in our desired area).   We furnished it the best we could on a missionary budget (think minimalistic) and it was a beautiful space where we were able to begin our Misión Agape ministry and host many events and activities there for other ministries and the missions community.

 House Hunters International (photo creds to Kathryn Grassmeyer)

I like scaling down though and simplifying.  It helps me to keep in perspective what I treasure most.  And I was thinking today at this time of year when there’s so much pressure as Americans to spend, spend, spend, are we investing in things that are lasting and purposeful?  I think about some of the Christmas gifts I’ve bought and gifted over the years, and its comical now how silly those purchases were.  I found a picture recently of Seth early in our marriage holding a night stand organizer of sorts.  Needless to say, his night stand is still messy 12 years later!  But when we have an opportunity to purchase something that is lasting or a way to better the lives of the poor in the world, do we take it?  Because when I look at what I have in two bedrooms, I see that we still have a lot more than the majority of the world.   We have clean clothes and water available.  We have showers and food to eat every day. We have friends, family, education, and phone and internet service.  What more do we really need?  We're so blessed. 

Found it!  Sorry, Seth. 

I say all of this to encourage you not to get too caught up in gift giving that you forget the poor.  I think what was said in Deuteronomy 15:11 is still true today, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land.  Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land.'"  If you asked 80% of Bolivians what they will do for Christmas, they would most likely say spend time with family and have a good meal.  Its not about the gifts (because most here can’t afford them), but the relationships. The gifts will most likely be forgotten one day anyways, but the relationships you invest in won’t.  

Would you like your money this holiday season to go to something significant?  You're welcome to make a donation to our ministry.  We have a 17 year old who we’re trying to pay for his first year of medical school tuition in January.  With $950 more, we’d have enough for his entire first year of school. We have a church that holds most of its services with the lights off because they can’t afford the equipment to use the sound system and lights at the same time.  With $800, we could bless them with the funds to change that.  There’s a 7 year old boy, "Juan," who we’ve sponsored speech therapy for the last 6 months because he doesn’t use words after being severely abused when he was younger.  For $500, you could help him go 6 more months.  There are so many things our income can do to help the world.  (And just to clarify, I’m not trying to strong arm anyone into supporting ministry in Bolivia.  Give to whatever organization you like.)

Goofy photo of "Juan" at therapy.  He's very active so photos work well to keep him entertained while waiting. 

After living here these 5 years, I’ll never see the world the same way.  As an American, of course I want a comfortable, inviting home, a dependable car, and the ability to make healthy meals for my kids.  But I also want to help my neighbors in the world to live better and suffer less if I can help it.  Shouldn’t we all?  

Lola, with some sweet babies at the orphanage we visited in Cochabamba 

*Misión Bolivia doesn’t end with the Powells returning to the states!  We’re creating a nonprofit in 2019 so that as we see opportunities where our resources can be used to further the gospel and help the poor in Bolivia, we will continue to meet needs.  Thank you for those who’ve already communicated that they will keep supporting Misión Bolivia!