Things are moving along

We had a great time at the CCDA Conference.  CCDA is hard to explain.  It is an association that exists to encourage and network those who are doing ministry primarily to the poor and under-resourced in a variety of environments.  Most are ministering to the poor in urban areas of larger cities in the United States.  Some in rural areas, some in villages in Africa or Mexico.  Although diverse, CCDA seeks to alleviate some of the hardship and exploitation of the poor while loving them with the Gospel of Jesus.  We found the conference very encouraging and challenging as we sat in many seminars classes discussing ways to minister that can have lasting results.

 The church has done far too much hand-out ministry to the poor and not enough development of the poor.  Here is a simple analogy; If you give a man a fish, he eats but what does he do when the fish is gone?   That's where hand-out or relief ministry stops, although entirely appropriate in certain instances.  Development looks at going beyond and teaching him to fish, so he has the skills to get food for tomorrow and the next day.  Development is also concerned with ensuring the man has access to the pond.  What can be done to keep the pond safe and full of fish?  Are there unjust laws that might keep him from fishing? What about helping the man develop a pond in his own community where his family can have fish and use it as a source of income and then teach others to fish for themselves and so on.

We are excited to be in ministry to do this while seeking to develop people spiritually.  They are very inter-related.   It is a holistic approach that I believe is what the Bible teaches.  I plan to discuss these issues and my thoughts with you as we journey together through the next months and years to reach the young people in our neighborhood.

Looks like we could have our power on by the end of the week if all goes well.  We still need to get some inspections and pull some more permits, so who knows....  Well I'm off to look at a new transmission for my new truck......