the season for giving

During the holidays, we are always encouraged to participate in Angel Tree (buying gifts for children that has one of both parents in prison), collect hats and gloves for families in need, buy for non-perishables for food drives, volunteer at homeless shelters, or donate this or that to this organization or that needy person...we are called upon to offer some relief to those who are find themselves in a tough spot during the holidays...especially when we will be enjoying family, friends and food...and they will not...

But how many times have you been asked to participate in restoration during the holidays? And actually, the holidays are to celebrate the beginning of the restoration of all human kind...the birth of Jesus Christ. The fact is, restoration takes a HUGE commitment, while relief can be completed with a can of green beans, a donation of $50 to World Vision or even one night spent with the homeless at a shelter. Restoration is entering into the personal journey of someone who is asking for help, not merely satisfying a need. Restoration is a daily commitment to stand alongside the suffering until they have the capacity to stand beside someone else and offer their wisdom and experience. 

 90% of Rwandan GDP is from agriculture. This means that the majority of Rwandans spend their days in fields and gardens, planting and harvesting crops to feed their families and to bring income to their households. Cultivating is back breaking work, and never ending...kind of like restoration...

Coming alongside to give a hand....actually seeing your hands helping them...it's the best gift one who is in need can receive...

Restoration is messy, hard work that can only be done through the power of Christ. Beside the fact that it can be heartbreaking, risky, disappointing, costly, and time consuming, I think what is the biggest factor keeping Christians from entering into relationships of restoration over relief is that they are afraid God won't show up...and they will be left alone with a drug addict on their couch. If we call ourselves God's people...shouldn't we trust Him take care of us while we take care of others?

So here is your encouragement to participate in restoration this holiday season. Invite someone over for Thanksgiving tomorrow that you know will not be eating otherwise or  enjoying the company of good people...then invite them over for Christmas or New Years...start a relationship of restoration with that person in your life that you think is crazy or way too needy or is trying to rip you off all the time. God will show up...and you will have a front row seat to the amazing things He will do.

We would like to wish a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of our wonderful friends and family. We love and appreciate each of you and how God has used you in our lives. We have many people in our lives who have committed to stand beside us through thick and thin...and we are much better people for it. Love and miss you all!

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

For more on relief vs. restoration check out When Helping Hurts by StevenCorbett and Brian Fikkert