Be the change.....Don't be the average.

 


This made my jaw drop open when I read it:

 

 

SERIOUSLY???????????????

So this got me thinking.....what else are we NOT doing to help devastating statics like these to make a dent at least in improving this world?  Why are we not making sacrifices so all children can have a home, food, healthcare?   Trust me....those "sacrifices" become huge blessings back to us!

 

I am also going to say that I truly with all my heart NEVER believe that anybody says, "I am going to worry about my own needs and I refuse to help a child who is starving."  And if I am wrong about that I pity that person when they have to answer to God for that one!  But I do believe that we get so busy in our own lives and we have become so immune to the despair we see in the newspapers and on TV that we live in denial and think we can't possibly help.  We also struggle ourselves with having enough money to make ends meet or time to do any more.  Trust me....I know all the excuses, I have said them to myself more times than I care to admit.  But....I decided that when I meet Jesus face to face and he asked me what did you do to help others I wanted to say, "All I could." I had to stop the excuses.

 

 

I am going to throw in this disclaimer.  I am in NO WAY slamming the United States.  I love my country and am proud to be an American.  I did pick facts that I found about what American's spend money on because MOST people I know are from there so we can all be shocked together.   I also want to say that I am not sure if all these numbers are accurate but let's just say they are somewhat close(or even 1/2 of what they say)  then we should feel a sickness inside of us and a desire to make some personal changes, take a stance, volunteer, serve or whatever God prompts us to do.  What IS NOT ok is to read these and talk poorly about how "we" are not doing anything about them and then go on our merry way without making changes either. 


So when you read these few statistic that I found, let something stir big time in taking our focus off ourselves and putting where it truly matters.  I truly doubt if anyone has ever said, "Man I wished I wouldn't have helped that child so I could have another Big Mac." 


United States spends $600 million  in one day on fireworks for the 4th of July. 

For the average American, $770 is how much they’ll each shell out on average for Christmas gifts this year.  Most often struggling to find something they don't already have.

$20 Billion

The annual revenue of the U.S. weight-loss industry, including diet books, diet drugs and weight-loss surgeries.

 

Americans spent $11 billion last year on face lifts, Botox,  and breast augmentations.

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whiteners: $1.4 billion

 

Americans spent $200 billion last year on fast food and beer alone.

 

 

Matthew 25:40-45

Living Bible

⁴⁰ “And I, the King, will tell them, ‘When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!’ ⁴¹ Then I will turn to those on my left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. ⁴² For I was hungry and you wouldn’t feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn’t give me anything to drink; ⁴³ a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
⁴⁴ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
⁴⁵ “And I will answer, ‘When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.’

 

 

Nurse Jenny In The D.R.

I made this video for all my former students to show them what we are doing in the Dominican Republic!  Enjoy!

Feeling the frustration from being on the mission field!

            There is so much need.  I am not talking about needing a new outfit.....they are content with just one outfit.  I'm not talking about a bathroom with running water and stand up showers....they are content with their buckets of water.  I am not talking about going out to eat and to the movies....just some rice, beans and chicken for their families.  The need I am talking about is for medicine for their family. 


          I watched a documentary about sugar cane workers in the Dominican Republic and how poorly they were treated.  They were slaves in every sense of the word and there is still slavery going on today.  They were locked in these rooms at night....20 of them in each.  They were immigrants from Haiti promised a better life here.  The priest in the movie said that most of the sugar they collected went to the U.S.  It gave me chills when he said, "Most Americans would be shocked to know what price people paid just so they could have sugar in their coffee."  This made sound harsh....but I know it would've made me sad....but then I would have went on with my day and consumed more sugar without doing any doing anything to help.  Who am I .....just one person....what could I do?  This one priest did plenty.  He stood up against death threats and was pivotal in making conditions for the workers better.  This is one of the buildings the sugar cane workers lived in. 

 

 

So why am I frustrated?   Because I am here.....I left my loved ones behind....I want to care for the sick but we are a ministry....so we wait for funding and donations to have enough supplies.  They can't afford transportation to come to me. So I want to go to them.  I am just one person, but together we add up to many.....so I need your help. As a nurse it's so hard to not have all the medications I need to give to those who need it....it's hard to look them in the eye and say, " I know you don't have money to buy your own, but I don't have enough for everybody." 

 

 I am going to show you pictures of the area that stole my heart  but first I want you to make me a promise.  Before you look at these photos, I want you to promise to print off the one that tugs at your heart, the one that makes your mouth drop open or you shake your head and think how can these babies live like that every single day.  Then I want you to show your family and talk to your children or parents about what you think you could do to make a difference in someone's life.  Then I want you to put that photo on your refrigerator or desk at work or your locker and pray for that child every time you look at them.  Ask God what you could do to help, what you could possibly give up each month.  One less $10 pizza ordered out a month could give 20 children medicine.  (I am NOT exaggerating!)  As Black Friday and shopping for Christmas presents when we can't even come up with "an idea" because that person has everything....how about giving them a copy of the photo you printed off with a note that you made a donation in their honor???  Wouldn't that be an AWESOME example of what Christmas is all about? 

 

 

Mama so proud to show off her beautiful baby!

Who needs furniture when you can make your own using palm trees?

                          Homemade toy made of a stick, plastic bottle and a bike tire.  Genius!!!

Little cutie happy with his toy (a plastic bag) hitting it up in the air and not letting it fall to the ground. 

 

Most importantly this village has people like Megan, a pastor that shows them how much Jesus loves them and gives them hope and the tools to work as a productive community.

 

Let's do this together....let me know how you can help me deliver medicine to this amazing village.

 

Email me at jenny@gomadministries.org

 

 

 

Matthew 25:44-45 

  44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'