Friday, June 06, 2008

The 11th hour

As we sit here in the mountain village of Central Asia, we are filled with emotions. When we first took on this position of Simple Dreams correspondent, we thought it would be fun and exciting. In fact it has taken us to places and situations that you just do not want to go. Things that seem so small to us , more of a bother or a temporary set back , are insurmountable mountains that people face each day... when you live on $40 a month , something as basic and life sustaining as food is just not in your budget. Before we can present their needs, it is necessary to evaluate the situation and determine what it will take to help. Shinning a light on their need, many times brings people to a place of being forced to acknowledge the total and utter devastating reality of their situation.... Take for example yesterday when we brought a beautiful 18 year old girl for glasses, how do you sit back quietly as she was sent away from the eye doctor's appointment with no glasses, believing that she will be blind in a few months because she has no way of raising the $300 dollars she needs for the operation that will save her sight..... I GUESS THE ANSWER IS YOU DON'T...You take a deep breath and step up to the plate. She will be receiving this operation next week..... With in a couple hours of getting back home last night, I had one person guaranteeing the funds and another fronting the money until the funds arrive. We used to kind of joke about how God provides at the 11th hour....... Time stands still here in Central Asia..... it's always 11:00. Next week, we will be launching the Simple Dreams web sight, where you will find hundreds of needs like the one I have mentioned here , ranging from $5 to $500, and every one of them spotlighting the heartbreaking realities that people face each day. As the needs are met followup emails and posts will be sent out so you can see first hand the impact that you have made. You will find it located at http://www.simpledreams.tv/
If you are a blogger and would like to help, please spread the word.... together we CAN make a difference.

5 comments:

Hilary Marquis said...

Congratulations on this new venture. I am anxious to see how this will change the lives of both those who give as well as those who receive. What an amazing opportunity!

Anonymous said...

Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble? Delerious (UK)

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice

Did you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokeness

And here we see that God you're moving
A time of Jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

:)

Julie and John Wright said...

Who ever wrote this, and I think it was PJK, thank you, this touched my spirirt like it was the first time that I read these words. Each word was loud and strong and rang true for us here in Kyrgyzstan. With tears of joy mixed with reverence for our mighty God I can feel the mountains tremble.
Julie

Anonymous said...

Julie,

Sorry, I forgot to sign off on the Mountains Tremble, I've always thought of your family in Kyrgyzstan when I hear this song,

We're getting ready for a wild time, to feel the wind as Gods hand brushes by to touch those that you have touched :)

Blessings and many of them,

Dan :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Julie, I've been so busy that I haven't been on the blog for a few weeks. However, just the other day I was thinking about the 11th hour and how we used to joke about it. I think I understand what you are describing when you write about how time seems to be stuck at 11:00 in Kyrghistan. From what I am reading in the blog, there seems to be so much work to do and everything is urgent. I'm way over here in Canada and I am feeling the urgency of all the projects you are involved with. I can only begin to imagine how you are feeling. I'm praying that God will give you renewed strength, health, and joy as you continue to do the work that you are called to do there. There are many back home who support you and really care about what is going on. As I write these words to you, the tears are still streaming down my face after watching the short video of Galnara at Orlofka jumping on John at the news of receiving a playground there. I'm so happy. By the way, the team has learned 2 songs in Russian so far. I will try to get in another practice with them in between exams and July 2. Love you all very much.
- pjk