A few weeks back I shared a post from Ann Voscamp about Aleppo with the kids.
I told them how God didn't place us here on the farm so that we could merely speak compassion, but more so that we could LIVE it, and live it generously. I told them how $65 could feed a family for a month. I told them how even though we might not be able to fly across the world right now and serve those in Aleppo with our hands, there are always ways to lavish love.
The next morning when I woke up, I saw $40 on the fridge. My oldest saw me looking at it and said, "It's for Aleppo, Mom." By the end of breakfast there was nearly $80 of their hard earned money and a love note from a little girl on the fridge.
One of these treasures gave every last penny she had ($17.36) and I couldn't help but think about the woman who had only a penny but she gave it all to her Lord, and He was pleased with her. So much so, the story of her willing heart ended up in the Bible for millions of people to read. Another little boy said he only had coins and didn't think that was enough. I told him there's no such thing as giving too little, and before I knew it there was a bag full of coins on the fridge.
We got online and donated all their money to http://www.preemptivelove.org. There's a video on their site that explains a little more of what they do and the kids and I watched it together.
They still wanted to do more.
My Hal wanted to do something a little more tangible. Ann's blog post had a link to another organization that collects kits filled with basic supplies to help meet everyday kind of needs for refugees and other people in need around the world. WE decided on a couple different kits and came up with a supply list. The list felt a little daunting to do on our own so we sent out an email to a few friends. Our goal was 30 kits. And within 24 hours?? We had enough supplies to put together 40 kits! The kids were blown away that people would come alongside them so quickly and willingly.
Today was our packing party.
Everyone brought their supplies.
My Hal gave a short testimony sharing how the Lord has been working in our family's hearts about Aleppo.
We wrote notes and drew pictures in hopes of letting their hearts know that they are far from forgotten.
We spent some time in prayer over the people in Aleppo. It is such a gift to be able to send some much needed supplies, but as we spent time praying, my heart begged the Lord to not only meet their physical needs, but their heart needs. Above all things many of the people in Aleppo need Jesus. He is the only source of true hope and peace in this fallen, broken world.
Today was more than just packing boxes, it was a time to pause and ask the Lord to lavish His extravagant love on the people of Aleppo and on people all around the world who might not yet know the glory of His wild & glorious grace.
Here's a short video of my Hal's heart...
pASSWORD: aleppo
pASSWORD: aleppo
I'm grateful for these opportunities to bless.
But I'm even more grateful for Jesus.
Grateful that Love came down.
Grateful that He laid it all down so that we might have this mind-boggling, glorious hope.
