Some of the beautiful faces of the Ugandan Orphan Children’s Choir
As a Christian writer I feel a keen sense of duty. To God. To the lost. To those who are struggling in their walk. To my craft.
Because I write Christian fiction, I want to portray life realistically–without the rose-colored glasses, but, too, with immeasurable hope that only comes in Jesus Christ.
I like “happily ever after.” The sweet, “feel good” endings that come after the uphill battle.
Since I’ve been called to tell the stories that God lays on my heart, I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t share the good, the bad, and the unpleasant during the battle.
Sometimes, it’s that battle that makes the journey more memorable. The battle we face in real life as well as in fiction.
I’ve sensed for a long time now that my writing career wasn’t about me. While writing is indeed my lifeblood, it’s also the vehicle–the ministry–that God has charged me with.
What do we do then when our ministry expands beyond writing? When we realize that God is opening doors (through our writing) to serve him in a new, unexpected capacity?
If we’re honest, we admit reluctance.
Fear.
Defiance.
Upset.
Finally, acceptance.
The period in which we (somewhat) begrudgingly yield to our Master’s call.
I knew as I walked into the vestibule of our church last Sunday, my ministry had expanded. Beyond writing. Beyond my comfortable bubble. Beyond what I felt I had time for.
My eyes immediately lit upon the two tables flanking the entrance of the sanctuary. On the tables were dozens of plastic-covered placards–a sea of children’s faces–some smiling, some more serious. They were a bevy of unknown names with chocolate-brown eyes and molasses-colored skin. Beautiful children. God’s children. Motherless, fatherless little ones of various ages–precious angels that deserved to be loved. Adopted. At the very least, sponsored.
“I pray folks will see the need,” I told my husband as we took our seats to listen to the Ugandan Orphan Children’s Choir.
The choir was seven months into a 10 month (U.S.) tour and sponsored by the Childcare Worldwide organization, a faith-based ministry.
I sat spellbound as the 11 and 12-year-old choir members sang praises to Jesus in English, as well as in their native tongues. Their hands and feet never stopped moving!
The Ugandan Orphan Children’s Choir praising Jesus
There came a point that one of the little girls danced right out of her pretty patent leather shoes. Bless her heart–she never missed a beat. She continued to dance and smile and sing. (She was one of the little girls in the photograph at the top of this post. After the choir’s performance when I asked if I might take some pictures, it was obvious the girls were only too happy to oblige.)
“Shu-urrre!” they squealed.
“Thank you, girls. You’re all so pretty.”
And of course my heart melted as they reached out for hugs.
During their concert, I discovered that many of the children involved in the Ugandan Orphan Children’s Choir have myriad needs. In the video that our church saw, some of the most pressing needs of these children (and others at home and in orphanages) are food, shelter, and education, as you might expect.
Abject poverty is the only way of life these kids have known. The children who perform in this particular choir share not only the Gospel, but also underscore the need for involvement.
As the Ugandan Orphan Children’s Choir travels the nation bringing attention to their plight in their homeland, they invite others to sponsor little ones with similar needs. The boys and girls vary in age and living situations. They are from various countries.
Sponsorship of these children (only $38 a month) can help with some of their most basic needs, including education, which is the primary way to break the cycle of poverty. The little girl our family decided to sponsor wants to be a doctor.
The little one we are sponsoring is 12 and wants to be a doctor.
Isn’t she lovely?
My hope is that our family can send letters and photos to this precious child, and somehow through our sponsorship, make an impact in her life.
If you’ve felt God stirring your heart–nudging you to step from the safety of your comfort zone–please consider yielding to the call.
We may think we’re in the center of God’s will because our ministry is growing. And we are. It is.
But sometimes, He expands the duties of our job description.
Sometimes, it’s not easy, comfortable, or time-conducive.
Obedience rarely is.
Sometimes, it’s just about what we’re commanded to do. Serving Him. Serving others. Fulfilling needs. Going the limit.
Taking our ministry beyond the writing.
Beyond words and prose and execution of craft.
You know…
The Great Commission. (Matthew 28-16-20)
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Has God called you to think beyond your current ministry?
How do you heed God’s call upon your life?
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PLEASE SHARE
Writing is your ministry, but what happens when He expands your job description? (Click to Tweet)
“Feel good” endings only come after the uphill battle. Are you ready? (Click to Tweet)
Writer-friends…Why it’s not “just about the writing.” (Click to Tweet)
Blessings Always,
Comments 4
This post really hit home for me, and I thank you for writing it. I’ve seen too many dead kids. I see them every night, if I sleep.
One is too many. You see a lot of them, it kind of plays with your head.
Sponsoring is vital. Most Americans don’t know that 18,000 children starve to death every day. That’s six million every year.
Yes. A Holocaust of kids. Every year.
At least, I hope that most people don’t know. I hope it’s not that they care more about Miley Cyrus’ latest antics, or the maternity dress worn by Kate what’s her name, the Brit royal who just had a baby.
My soul’s bee pretty well torn up by a lot of what I saw, and I’ve been advised – for my own sanity – not to get too involved with people causes.
So I minister to homeless, abandoned, and abused dogs. As I write this there are eleven dogs – mostly Pit Bulls – sleeping within fifteen feet of me, in what once was a living room. There are more in what used to be the breakfast room.
I figure that if God knows when a sparrow falls, He sure cares about an animal that can love and hope and fear, that can comfort and that is willing to lay down its life for its master.
So my life is devoted to this calling. No travel, no ‘toys’, no eating out. A week ago one of the guys got bloat – I was up all night with him.
This is all about the battle. We saved a lot – but there are those we can’t save.
I hope to God that our efforts to shine some compassion and love in this corner of New Mexico make a difference in the world, somehow, somewhere.
I think that living in this world, we’re not in the precincts of Heaven – we’re at the gates of Mordor. And so standing, service to God means looking unflinchingly into the eye of evil, cruelty, and indifference – and never blinking.
Author
Andrew, wow. It’s obvious you have a very tender heart and that you well understand how vital ministry is. When God calls us to service, it’s rarely easy or comfortable, but always a blessing.
I’ve found, too, that our perceived capacity to serve is only a thumbnail of what the Lord actually intends. I think folks’ moments of recognition differ for whatever reasons, but when we finally realize that we can indeed do more that’s when miracles mulitply. And I believe that’s when God truly loves unleashing them– when we don’t see or understand how on earth something will happen, but we have faith that it supernaturally will!
I’m sure you’re making a huge impact on your corner of the world. Since God created every living thing, He most assuredly cherishes our attempts to preserve life.
Thanks to Andrew. And thank you, Cynthia, for blessing a child–which will in turn be a blessing to you.
Author
Patti, just one small thing we do for others can make such a huge impact! (A lifetime impact…) Praise God!