It's all about perspective

It's ALL about Perspective!

Yesterday we were quite the "Spectacle" in the airport. The TSA person at Charlotte Douglas was not really impressed but then when we had our layover at Atlanta there was another work team who also had on their work team shirt. 

Our work team shirts were bright, bright yellow with the word "GOOSE" on the front (Giving Of Our Service Elsewhere).  The other work team from Alabama had very nice, subtle light blue shirts with a scripture verse on the back.  I debated putting scripture but after the "Goose Devotion" from last year about Canadian Geese and how they provide support for one another we really wanted to be consistent with our theme. That goose thing keeps showing up over and over again. Even when Kathy Warner and I were in India we saw a "Goose V" as we were walking down the street with folks dying all around us. So . . . . the "Goose thing" just seems to be a part of our international mission trips. 

BUT folks in the airport don't really understand the statement "Honking from Behind" and seeing 45 people walk down the concourses caused some interesting discussions.  After 3 hours in the Atlanta airport and watching the nice, quiet group I concluded we probably could have chosen a better shirt "theme." Then a young couple going on vacation to the Sandals resort came up and said, "Ok. We really have been talking about this all morning.  WHAT does 'honking from behind' mean?"

We explained the whole goose theme, that geese watch over one another, take turns being the leader, stay behind when one is hurt.  Silence followed!  I thought "Oh great, another uncomfortable discussion with someone about this goose shirt." I am not a huge fan of uncomfortable silence so I said, "We should have gone with another theme" and she exclaimed, "OH NO - I was thinking the exact opposite. I love it! It made me think and then it made me ask. And what a great chance you guys have to tell people who you are and what you are about just because of your t-shirt! You guys have a great way of telling others about God's love. It's perfect!" I proceeded to invite her to WCUMC but the commute would be tough as they live in Mississippi but her words changed my perspective. 

A different perspective does a lot for us . . . 

This afternoon we visited the infirmary again. This is a cross between a nursing home, a mental ward, and just a "place" for people who have nowhere else to go and basically need a place to wait to die. 

Last year we struggled from the time we got out of the buses to find a way to "cope" and "Deal" with the situation. But this year it was different. All 45 of us walked boldly in and went immediately TO someone, not just "hanging in the perimeter". Today was all about being with the people. As I looked around I noticed every Williamson's Chapel person had a one on one conversation with one of the people. Some were kneeling beside their beds holding their hands, others were sitting beside them on their beds with their arms intertwined, many were reading Scripture, others singing in small groups, everywhere there were people with the life literally draining from them holding on to one of the work team people.

We spent more time there than we anticipated and the generous minds of WC are already trying to figure out how we can get back there this week.  The people asked us if we could bring them some things they needed . . . diapers were first on the list. One lady made Becky Jones write on a piece of paper her name and address and BEGGED her to send diapers. Wow. How such a small thing can make such a big difference. 

The BIGGEST change of perspective, however, came today when Jeanne Brodigan came to me today and shared with me her amazing experience!  She and Parker Cromie, age 19,  were talking as we were leaving.  Jeanne shared with Parker how proud she was of him for being here and that she hoped one day her son would be able to share in this experience.  

Jeanne said, "How wonderful it is that someone in the world cared enough to create a place for these people to be. Imagine what it would be like here if no one cared."

Parker replied, "But imagine what it could be like if everyone did!" 

Hmmmm . . . We are a part of that everyone. And whether we care in Mooresville with the Soup Kitchen, Mooresville Christian Mission, HealthReach Clinic, Back to School Bash . . . or whether we care in Eastern North Carolina with three weeks of rebuilding in a community with 183 of our youth and adults, or whether we care in Nashville, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, or whether we care in Lima, Peru, or Kolkata India . . . . imagine what IS going to happen in this world AS we care!

Let us BE the church . . . . all over the world .  . . and let's have the perspective of a 19 year old young man who was not tainted by "what ifs" but rather sees them as "What can be!" Let us BE!