the cry spring 2013

7/28/2019 The Cry Spring 2013

1/16

AadvocacouralSpring3vol9no

ThesimplelieSimplicitasacceptacechallegeadbeautSharingourlightCreatigspaceCelebratingsimplicityHowbeautiularetheeetFromthearchives


2/16

ON SIMPLICITY

The Cry Spring3

Simplicitydespitetheplainstripped-

down comprehensible condition it

denes is a multi-aceted complex

thingAsCararemindsusinherbeau-

tiulpoemsimplicityisranklynot

thatsimple(Thesimpleliep3)

Forsomesimplicityisa necessitya

reality born o hard times genera-

tionsopovertyanunjusteconomic

systemorallotheseandmoreSin-

gle mothers work hard but cannot

makeendsmeet(Sharingourlight

p6) children run and play without

shoesbecausetheyhavenone(How

beautiularetheeetp)misor-

tuneuponmisortunepropelsyoung

women to the streets (Creating

spacep7)

For others a simple lieis a choice

Itisadecisiontoliveabitmorelike

ChristtoollowHisdirectivesandto

live in solidarity with thosewho do

not have the luxuryo choosing be-

tween simplicity and extravagance

Over generations the jarring words

otheprophetshaveshakenmenand

womenoutocomortablelivesand

intoobedience(Avoicebeyondour

ownp3)Othershavebeenstruck

byJesuscommandtoseekHisKing-

dom and His righteousness (Matt

633) a shockingly straightorward

instructiontothoseousconsumed

with worry about what we will eat

and drinkand wearand doand be-

come(Celebratingsimplicityp8)

However simplicity reaches even

beyond material possessions and

economic status David notes that

simplicity acknowledges our human

conditioncritiquestheall-too-preva-

lentidolatryowealthinourageand

creates beauty (Simplicity as ac-

ceptance challenge and beautyp

4)Itisaspiritualpracticethatbears

verygoodruit

Butwhetherwelivesimplybyneces-

sityorbychoiceandhoweverprac-

ticedweare inthis liestylewecan

take comortandgreat joy inknow-

ingthatweollowintheootstepso

ChristHelivedasimpleliewithmore

gracethananyouscanhopetomus-

ter a common man withnoearthly

inheritanceariendothepoorand

thosecasturthestoutamessenger

withanunwelcomemessageGodAl-

mightywithdustyeet

AndwhenwearewalkingbyHisside

ourowneetgatheringdustwehave

causeorcelebrationindeed!

StacLadeburger

OnSimplicity

3 Thesimplelie

byCaraStraussContreras

4 Simplicitasacceptace

challegeadbeaut

byDavidChronic

6 Sharigourlight

byLeroyBarber

7 Creatigspace

byAlaaCole

8 Celebratigsimplicit

byJeSwart

Howbeautiularetheeet

byBrianLangley

Inthisissue

LetterromtheEditor

Fromthearchives

Ineveryissue

4 Countryupdates

5Learnmore

6Finalthought

Thecoverphotowastakenby

HopeJewellinKathmanduNepal

EditorStacyLadenburger GraphicDesigVivaDesign TCyisaadvocacpublicatiooWordMadeFlesh thatinvitesreaderstolearnandsharein

thestoriesoourriendswhosuerunderpovertyandinjustice TCyistrasitioigtoadigitalormatTosiguporaPremiumSubscriptio tothe

printversionor$4peryearvisitthecrywordmadeeshorg FidpastissuesoTCyatwordmadeeshorgCopyright3byWordMadeFlesh

AllrightsreservedToobtainreprintpermissione-mailyourrequesttoeditor@wordmadeeshorg AllScriptureisquoted romTodaysNewInternational

VersionBibleunlessotherwisestatedTCyispritedoreccledpaperthatcontainsFSCcertied%post-consumerberandiscertiedEcoLogo

processedChlorineFreeandFSCRecycledandmanuacturedusingbiogasenergy

LetterromtheEditor


3/16

ON SIMPLICITY

Spring'3 The Cry 3

Shearito layerbylayer

Shuckthepeacoatsellthecar leavetheapartment(whatarecrownceilingsor?) stopansweringemails thecommentsoncommentsDropitbehindme (piecebypiece)likecrumbsromoodthatnevermoldsorerments untilIwanderthedustycountrysideinblisteringsandals likeyou

Itsnotthatsimple

ButsayitsdonesayIdo

Sothewanderinggoes thenthewanderingstops Andinthisnewdesertmyeetsproutroots diggingdeepergrowlingorwater andwaterbringslieandliebringsthings

Bringsmarriageoallthings Andmylieexplodeswithcoeemakersandringswithclosetsandrolesandquestions What bandwidth would Jesus use?

Who irons the pants?

But(wait)dotheserootedeetnowtetherme Withallthesethingspileduptomykneesmywaist mountinguptosuocateme?Whereinthismessissimplicity? Isthisoryou too?

SohowdoIReleasethedreamsopullingupcarrotsclottedwithmudrinsingthemwithwellwaterMakepeacewith43diaperseachyearPluckouttheguiltcrumblecomparison tossittotheSpirit-windBrowsethecrowdedshelvesoworry throwthemtotheireryend letthecracklingrecleanse

MakepeacewithmyselPeacebypeace I'dliketo oryou

Cara works with the Word Made Flesh commuit

i El Alto/La Paz, Bolivia. She is married to Mache,

ad the have a bab girl, Ariaa.

bCaraStraussCotreras


4/16

ON SIMPLICITY

4 The Cry Spring3

Weotenthinkosimplicityintermso

minimizing downsizing and reducing

whatweconsumeOneotheprecepts

thatwe cite regularly is the quote at-

tributedtoStElizabethAnnSetonWe

live simply so that others may simply

liveBut simplicitymeansmuchmore

thanthis

Simplicityisaundamentalacceptance

o our human condition It is the ac-

knowledgmentoan existence thatis

touseaphraseromtheBook o Com-

mon Prayer "earth to earth ashes to

ashesdusttodust"

Simplicity is also a conrontational

critiqueanddenunciationotheidol-

atryowealthJesuslovinglysaidto

thewealthyyoung ruler One thing

you lack Go sell everything you

have and give to the poor and you

will have treasure in heaven Then

comeollowme(Mark)These

words inspired the Desert Fathers

and Mothers and the latermonastic

traditionto leaveeverythingto pur-

sueGodBypracticingsimplicitywe

standinthelongtraditionoaithul

Christians who recognized the de-

monic potentialities o possessions

andreusedcomplicitywiththeirlure

andtheirlies

Simplicity doesnt only deconstruct

wealth;it isalsoconstructiveSimplicity

aims tocreatebeautyWeactuallynd

thebeautyosimplicitythroughoutsoci-

etyItisthebeautyoGodsorderedcrea-

tionwhichresonatesinuswhenweex-

periencehealthjusticesalvationandlie

While beauty is most obvious in art

and literature, where the artist pursues

aesthetics in symmetry, tone, and co-

ordination, it is also evident in sciences.

The 2012 Nobel Prize winners in eco-

nomics, or example, were praised or

creating something beautiul, as their

work osters better patient care and

education. Dorothy Wrinchs molecular

theory is called by our contemporaries

a beautiul vision because it takes the

complexities o data and gives a simple

explanation. Likewise, in the domain o

physics, scientists call Einsteins theory

o relativity elegant.

However, the aesthetic character o

simplicity isnt always easy to see. I have

had the opportunity to visit a particular

monastery carved out o the hills in Mol-

dova. In the bottom o a cave is a chap-

el, and at the entrance to the chapel sits

an old monk. Most o the time, he sits

alone. It is cold. He prays. His austere

lie looks harsh and unattractive. But it

is beautiul or those with eyes to see

The beauty radiates rom his wrinkled

ace in his love, joy, and quest or God

Simplicity is seen in the singularity o his

desire to seek and love God.

Simplicity is a spirituality, a way o being

in the world, and, as with any healthy

liestyle, it requires discipline and cul-

tivation. Whenever I eel like Im mak-

ing some progress in my walk with the

Lord, Im conronted with something

that opens my eyes to new proundity.

This happened on a recent visit to ou

WMF community in Sierra Leone. I woke

up one Sunday morning, immediately in

a hurry to get ready or church. I said a

short prayer to ask God or energy o

the day and wisdom or the activities

beore me. We arrived at church and

began singing, clapping, and swaying

The sister leading worship shouted a

prayer: Thank you that I am not dead!

I was cut to the quick, challenged and

convicted by her prayer o boisterous

gratitude, her petition or lie in the

midst o poverty, and her joy in the

immediacy o salvation. It wasnt that

my morning prayer was bad or wrong

but it limped in its motivation. My praye

was an option, a choice, a luxury. My

Sierra Leonean sisters prayer was a

David has lived i Romaia sice 1998, whe he

started the WMF site i Galati. He serves as the

Regioal Coordiator or Europe ad Arica ad is

married to Leuta.

bDavidChroic


5/16

ON SIMPLICITY

Spring'3 The Cry 5

PERU

BOLIVIA

necessity. It was a real prayer or daily

bread, or the Father to provide lie. For

i the God o Lie didnt, who would?

The challenge or me is to move rom

a spirituality o luxury to a spirituality

o simplicity. I am invited to embrace

my human condition and be grateul

in dependence and need or the Fa-

thers lie-giving love and provision.

Through the practice o simplicity,

we unmask wealths alse promises

o power and security. With singu-

larity o purpose, we seek to know

and love God. And, in the midst o

the difcult and harsh realities o the

world, we practice simplicity that is

recognized or its beauty. Following

her example o a spirituality o sim-

plicity, we respond to the charge o

Mother Teresa: Now lets do some-

thing beautiul or God.

Photo:AdB

Photo:AdBaker

"THECHALLEnGEFORMEISTOMOVEFROMASPIRITUALITy

OFLUxURyTOASPIRITUALITyOFSIMPLICITy"


6/16

ON SIMPLICITY

6 The Cry Spring3

Lero is the Presidet o Missio year, a

WMF board member, ad a acclaimed

author ad speaker. He ad his wie, Doa,

have ve childre ad live i Atlata, Ga.

I grew up in Philadelphia and my

mother worked really hard in the

housekeeping department at a local

hospitalNeedlesstosaytherewasnt

alotoextrainourhomeItwasim-

possible tonot live simply Itwas in-

credibly hard seeing excess around

megoinghomeattimestonoelec-

tricityor water seeing the lights on

next door but not beingable to see

anything inmy own

house I thought

then that itwasnot

airbutnowImnot

sure i it had any-

thingtodowithair-

nessIknowithurtI

know I was embar-

rassedIknowmymomeltbadthat

shecouldntprovidelightsandwater

despite her hard work She had no

vices;wewenttochurcheveryweek

andtoschooleverydayWejustdidnt

have enoughmoney to make all the

piecesconnect

I amnowanadultwithvechildren

and my mom liveswith me Itis my

honortokeepmylightsonandwater

runningsothatmymomcanreceive

what she couldnt always provide I

haveguredthoughthattoprovide

this comort or my mom I have to

embrace a simpler liestyle This al-

lowsmorepeoplearoundmetoben-

etMywieDonnaandIareableto

give more provide more and honor

moreamilyandriendsiwejustlearn

tobesimpleinourliestyle

I remember sitting in the dark as a

childadmiringthelightglowingrom

ourneighborswindowsandthinking

Why cant they share their light with

us?AsanadultIhavelearnedthatI

cansharemylightbynotoverindulg-

ing or consuming more than I need

Thisallowsormorelighttobeshared

I think there may be enough to go

around Things like water ood and

other resources The problem may

bethat some ous dont live simply

enough This is not a judgment on

whereyouliveandwhatyoubuybu

simply aquestionhowdo we hono

thosewhojustdonothaveenough?

How dowe answer that question? I

takesusaway rom the judging sav

ingandcondemningandchallenges

ourgreedandconsumption

Ihopewecanbegintothink

more about the wonder

ulpeopleintheworldwho

know Jesus who want to

lovetheirchildrenwellwho

work very hard every day

but whose resources are

simply not sufcient to provide al

othe basic things theyneed Many

o these people become vulnerable

to predators in one way or anothe

becauseothersareconsumingmore

thantheyrequire

Ichoosetolivewithlesssothatamaz

ing people like my mom can have

more o their basic needs met The

equationseemsquitesimple

bLeroBarber

"HOWDOWEHOnORTHOSEWHO

jUSTDOnOTHAVEEnOUGH?"


7/16

ON SIMPLICITY

Spring'3 The Cry 7

Alaa is the Light House youth Coordiator or

WMF Sierra Leoe. He has served i Kroo Ba,

a housig settlemet i Freetow, sice jue

2010. He is married to Alekeh.

Ihavebeensoundingpeoplesopinions

aboutwhat liemeans to themWhatI

haveheardhasamazedme

TherstopinionIlistenedtowasthis

Lie is not air. Since I was born, it has been

all about struggling or survival. I lost my

mother, who was a single parent to me, at

the age o eight years. There was no ather

who came orward to take responsibility

o my late mothers pregnancy. The rea-

son was that my mother was prostituting

hersel. She died rom tuberculosis. Even

though I was a small girl back then, I re-

member most people who came to sym-

pathize during the death o my mother

expressing deep compassion or me, and

some o them promised to take care o me

and send me to school; my mother had

that plan beore she died. [But] lie became

a nightmare. I was asked out o the house,

and it was very dicult or me to nd my

living. Eventually, at the age o 11 years, I

was recruited into the trade o prostitution.

Men took so much advantage over me be-

cause I was small. In all o this, my conclu-

sion about lie is that lie is not air to me.

When I listenedtothis youngwomans

opinionIwasdeeplymovedandspeech-

lessFinally God led meto say to her

Yourlieisnotnishedyet!Godhasan-

otherchaptertoyourliethatisairGod

helpedmetotalktohersotlywithlove

and ater I gave her some encourage-mentshelookedmoreavorablytolies

nextchapter

Another gentleman told me his view

olie

God is partial. No one is equal on planet

earth; some are rich, and some are poor.

Some human beings are even incom-

plete or sick. Do you know how they eel?

Certainly they dont eel good about their

condition. I came across a man who was

crippled, and the man conessed to me

that he is ashamed o himsel. I we are

created to be like God, then why is it that

some should look better than others? For

me, God is partial.

IdrewhisattentiontotheBibleInRom

94itsaysWhatthenshallwesay?Is

Godunjust?Notatall!Iagaintooktime

to encourage him withthewords rom

theBibleandhewashappierattheend

oourdiscussion

Iwasabletotalktoanoldwomanwho

unliketheothershadapositiveoutlook

She was ull o praises to God or His

goodnessinherlie

AterlisteningtoallotheseopinionsIre-

alizedthateventhoughtheseindividuals

havedierentviewsIwasabletoshow

respectandlistentoeachoneothemI

createdopportunitiesordialogue

Ihaveoundthateveryoneisdierentin

thewaystheythinkandbehaveLivinga

simpleliemeanscreatingaspacewherepeoplewhoaredierentareaccommo-

datedwithoutjumpingthroughallkinds

ohoopsLivingasimplelieispossible

whenwesimplyacknowledgetheimage

andgitsthatGodhasplacedinanother

bAlaaCole

Photo:WMFSierraLeoe

SIERRA

LEOnE


8/16

ON SIMPLICITY

The Cry Spring3

Simplicity is an appealing idea and its something that we

knowweshouldstriveorBuylessGivereelyEathealthy

RestmoreThelistgoesonbutthequestionIhaveisthiswhy

celebratesimplicity?

MyrolewithWordMadeFleshisthatoDirectoroFinance

andStewardship Budgeting accounting andreporting are

whatI doortheWMFcommunityI dontliveamongthe

mostvulnerablepeopleintheworldAlongwithrentutilities

internetpostageandothergeneraloperatingcostsmyjobis

anoverheadexpenseDespitemyworklookingdierentrom

thatomanypeopleinourcommunityIndsimplicitytobea

undamentalaspectomyrelationshiptoGodandothers

Workingwithnumbersandnancesitsanaturaltendencyo

minetoquantiyThiscreatesaproblemwhen Ithinkabout

simplicityAsmuchasIwanttheretobeanamountorthresh-

oldwhetherthatbedollarstimeornumberopossessions

thatdeneslivingsimplythereisntSimplicityisamattero

theheart

Theproblemwithtryingtomeasuresimplicityisthatitbe-

comesanendinitselMeaningiItrytobuyewerthings

andgivemorereelybecausemygoalistolivesimplythen

myeortiswastedButiIlivesimplybecauseIrealize

thatitwillbringmeclosertoGodandothersthenmye

ortisworthwhile

AtWordMadeFleshwecelebratesimplicityorthesakeo

relationshipwithGodeachotherandourriendswhoare

poorLivingsimplygrantsreedomtodiscardthedistrac-

tionoextravagancethathindersusromullyinvestingin

ourcommunities

WhenJesustellsustostopworryingaboutwhatwewilleat

drinkandwearHescallingHisollowerstoprioritizeTheal

ternativetoworryingistrustinginGodscommandsseek[ing]

rsthiskingdomandhisrighteousnessQuantiyingsimplicity

causesustothinkoourselveswhileacceptingsimplicityasan

actosubmissiontoGodswilldirectsourocustowardGod

andothers

How do I celebrate simplicity in my role with WMF? The

answerliesinmyphilosophyogivingEachtimeIprocess

adonation Iseeitasagitroman individual investinginsomethingtheybelieveinwhether thatsa person apro

gramoracauseAdonationtoWMFisaninvestmentnota

transactionViewinggitsasinvestmentsinhopeandchange

inabrokenworldimpliesarelationshipbetweengiverand

receiverItismyjobtostewardnotonlyinvestmentsbutalso

relationshipsHereinliesthebeautyosimplicitysimplicity

doesnotequalrugalityLivingsimplymeansinvestinginthe

hopeotheKingdomoGod

And an investment in hope is something I will continue

tocelebrate

bjeSwart

Photo:nikoleLim

nEPALPhoto:Hopej

InDIA


9/16

ON SIMPLICITY

Spring'3 The Cry

A Wiscosi ative, je is the Director

o Fiace ad Stewardship or Word

Made Flesh. He has served with WMF

i Omaha, neb., sice Ma 2010.

MATTHEW6:5-34

Thereore I tell you, do not

worry about your lie, what

you will eat or drink; or

about your body, what you

will wear. Is not lie more

important than ood, and

the body more important

than clothes? Look at the

birds o the air; they do not

sow or reap or store away

in barns, and yet your heav-

enly Father eeds them.

Are you not much more

valuable than they? Can any

one o you by worrying add

a single hour to your lie?

And why do you worry

about clothes? See how the

owers o the eld grow.

They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even

Solomon in all his splendor

was dressed like one o

these. I that is how God

clothes the grass o the

eld, which is here today

and tomorrow is thrown

into the re, will he not

much more clothe youyou

o little aith? So do not

worry, saying, What shall

we eat? or What shall we

drink? or What shall we

wear? For the pagans run

ater all these things, and

your heavenly Father knows

that you need them. Bt

kftkm

t, and all

these things will be given

to you as well. Thereore do

not worry about tomorrow,

or tomorrow will worry

about itsel. Each day has

enough trouble o its own.

"LIVInGSIMPLyMEAnSInVESTInGIn

THEHOPEOFTHEKInGDOMOFGOD"

Photo:Hopejewell


10/16

ON SIMPLICITY

The Cry Spring3

SoccergamesonthestreetsoLimaPeruarechaoticast-

paced aggressive events The toughest players divide the

menintoteamsgoalsarehastilyconstructedoutopiled-up

shirtsbottlesandrocksandtheballhardlyeverhasenough

airorstitchingSomeshirtscomeosomeonestartsyelling

abouttheteamsbeingunairandthensuddenlytheballies

upatthemiddleothecourtthegamebeginslikeabubble

bursting

And invariably one or more players do not have ade-

quateshoes

Surprisinglythesecompetitiveyoungmenwhogrewupwith-

outpositiverolemodelsschoolingordisposableincomewill

removetheirshoestosharewithriendswhohavenoneAnd

itisnotjusttheweak-but-ortunateonessharingoutoear

othebulliesbutalsosomeothetoughestandoldestThose

whohaveallenonespeciallyhardtimesarealwaysbeneac-

torsOnmanyoccasionsplayersgowithoneootbaredeter-

minedtoprovideeveryonewithatleastoneshoe

Ateragameendsscoresaresettledanddamageassessed

bloodytoesandblisterseverywhereAmongthesementhe

priceosolidarityplaysoutinavividwayAndmytestwas

comingsoon

WehadbeenlivinginLimaoracoupleomonthsgettingto

knowpeopleandlearninghowtobuybreadanddiaperswith

ourbrokenSpanishWestartedvolunteeringataresidential

carehomeorchildrenlivingonthestreetsWecouldn'tcom-

municatemuchsowesmiledandplayedlotsocheckersOne

dayatlunchtimeIsawsomechildrenglancingdownatmy

shoesgigglingtoeachotherthenlookingawayquicklywhen

InoticedMonthslateratermySpanishhad improvedthe

youngladyrunningthehomepulledmeasideandsaidthat

thechildrenwereimpressedthatIworeoldraggedyshoesImpressed?Ididn'tgetit

Shetoldmegentlythatthechildreneltcomortablearound

mebecauseIhadshoesthatlookedliketheirsFromthisthey

deducedthatIwasasimpleunpretentiouspersonandthatI

caredaboutthem

BeingnewtothecommunityandeagertopleaseIcontinued

wearingthose sameshoeseverytimewevisitedthehome

But it wasn't long beore I was conronted with the

bBriaLagle

"THISWASnTjUSTABOU

THESHOES;ITWASABOUT

MUCHMUCHMORE"

ON SIMPLICITY

Photo:nikoleLim


11/16

ON SIMPLICITY

Spring'3 The Cry

supercialityandselshnessomychoiceYouseeIhadtwo

otherpairsoshoesathomeshoesthatthesechildrenknew

nothingabout

OnedayIputonmynewbasketballshoeswhenIwentout

and again could not avoid stares But this time one child

askedaggressivelyCanyougivemethoseshoes?Comeon

youdon'tneedthemyou'reagringo!

Why would you call me that?IwantedtoimplorePlease, look

past my shoes and our diferences to my heart. Were the

samecan't you see?ButnowIwasagringolumpedintoa

culturalstereotypedenotingwealthandprivilege

Thechildrenatthishomeknowthevalueoagoodpairo

shoesLookingatmyoldshoesalltheycouldimaginewas

thattheseweretheonlyshoesIownedIIhadnicershoes

whywouldn'tIwearthem?AndiIdidhaveniceshoessitting

athomewhy wouldn't Igive thoseawaytosomeone who

didn'thaveshoesatallsinceitwasobviousthatIcouldbuy

myselmore?Theirethicosolidaritywascallingmyblu

You want to get to know us? You say that you care? Give me

your shoes.

These children who grew up withnothing know the valuenotonlyomaterialthingsthatquicklyadeawaylikeshoes

butalsoothingsthatlastlikeapersonwhotrulycaresThis

wasntjustabouttheshoes;itwasaboutmuchmuchmore

ItwasatesttoseeiIreallywantedtobepartotheirlives

tosharethegoodandbadodailyexperienceandneedThe

childwhogrewuponthestreethasbeenburnedsorequent-

lyandprooundlybyotherswhoclaimtocarethateventhe

mostwellintentionedareputtothetest

Butisn'tthisalsoasignoourcynicaltimes?Wehaveallbeen

Bria ad his wie, Rachel, are Field Directors or

WMF Peru, a commuit the have bee part o or

12 ears. The live i Lima with their two daughters.

burnedbypeoplewhoclaimtocareorusbutthentakead

vantageousEvenmoretragicisthegrowingmassopeople

whohavebeenorrmlybelieve theyhavebeen takenad

vantageobyChristiansandinstitutionsespousingChristian

values

PioneeringcommunicationtheoristMarshallMcLuhancoined

thephrasethemediumisthemessagein964describinghowqualitiesinherentinanygivenmediuminuencechange

inpeopleasmuchinotmorethanthecontentothemessage

Decadeslateranyonecanseehowtechnologicaladvances

liketelevisiontheinternetandcellphoneshavealteredhow

weinteractwithandunderstandeachotherChristianchurch-

esandorganizationsmustbeattentivetohowourmessage

(thegoodnewsothegospel)andourmedium(howwecom

municatethegoodnewsandoursocialchoices)worktogeth

ertocreateourtestimonytotheGodinwhomwebelieve

Buildingtrustinacynicalworldisnoteasybutitisalsonot

complicatedItisashardandassimpleassolidaritywithoth

ersArewewillingtosuerbloodytoesandblisterstobuild

trustwithacynicalgenerationthathasbeenburnedinside

andoutsidethechurch?Arewewillingtoacerejectionto

enduresueringandtogiveourlivessothatearulcynica

peoplemightbelieveintheGodwholovesthem?

Iwas theonesentoutbyaChristianorganizationtoshare

thegoodnewsowhatGodhasdoneorusandtoworkon

behalothosewhohavenothingIhavebeentrainedbygreat

BibleteachersandasupportivecommunityandIhavebeen

blessedwiththesupportandprayersocountlessChristian

ButIhavebeenshownagreattruthinthebloodytoesand

raggedyshoesoachildromthestreetand theirshavebe

comeormebeautiuleetthatbringgoodnewsInthesimple

actosharingshoesGodrevealstousastrategyorevange

lismandmissionsohardandsosimplethatevenachildcan

understandThestoryoourshoesisthestoryoouraithIn

actGodisusingchildrenevenchildrenwholiveonthestree

toteachusthisAndwearesurprised?(Cor7)

nEPAL

Photo:nikoleLim


12/16

ON SIMPLICITY

The Cry Spring3

Theconnectionbetweensimplicityandhospitalityhasbeenclariedinmymind

Simplicity isnot alwaysquantiablein theexteriorworldowealth andposses-

sions;norisiteasytomeasureintheinteriorworldTherearealsoteeteringpiles

oboxesanddustyknickknacksthatclutterinteriorspacesdiscontentsel-hate

anoverextendedcalendarOcoursetheinteriorandexteriorthebodyandthe

spiritaredeeplyintertwinedStucandictatethecourseoalieorinanattempttomeetinnerneedsmaterialitemscanbeshovedintomisshapengapsInallthat

complicationinnerandouteritiseasytolosetheabilitytorelatetoothersinopen

andhonestways

FromReservedAsimpleopenspaceMarciaGhali

OriginallyappearedinThe Cryvol6no(Spring)

Itistritebuttruetosaythatgivingishard;wereluctantlypartwithourgoodsBut

givingwellisdoublyhardEveryactogivingestablishesarelationoasymmetrybe-tweenthegiverandthereceiver;givingisgraceandtheonewhoreceivesisdepend-

entonandobligedtotheonewhogivesMarxattackedgraceinthenameothere-

cipientssel-respectIthesecriticsogracehaveanythingtoteachitisthatthearto

givingconsistsinknowinghowtogivewithoutenslavingorhumiliatingthereceiver

Atitsbestaninvitationtoastrangertocometothetableisaormogivingor

thesakeotheothergivingwhichassuchdoesnotexpectareturnthoughit

rejoiceswhenitisunexpectedlygivenGoodgiversarewillingtoentertheasym-

metricrelationshipwiththereceiverthroughtheirgivingwithoutcalculationthatthegivingwillpayoButtheyalsoeelshameshamelessaboutwhattheyare

doingthanaboutthewaythesocialrelationsarestructuredthattherelationship

isnotreciprocalTheyaregoodgiverspreciselybecausetheydelightinthepres-

enceanddesirethewell-beingothereceiver

FromWhenhungersclashMiroslavVolAppearedinThe Cryvol8no4(Winter)Copyright998bytheChristian CenturyReprintedbypermissionromtheNov998issueotheChristian CenturySubscriptions$59yrromPOBox4467PalmCoastFL34(8)8-497christiancenturyorg


13/16

ON SIMPLICITY

Spring'3 The Cry 3

I the prophetic wordwas jarring anddisconcerting inancient contextshow

muchmorewhenwehearthesewordsromacrossthecenturiesstillasaword

romtheLord!When suchwordsareheardas Scripture asdisclosingGods

ownvoicewearejarredoutoourworld-taken-or-grantedIinourowncon-

textwehearIsa-4wemayreshlynoticethemanipulativewaysinwhichthe

economyismanagedorthesakeothepowerulIweareaddressedbyEzek

37-4wemaybeenergizedtocommitactsohopethatbothhealthepresent

andopendoorstotheuture

Obviously poems donotgive instruction Ancient poemsmoreover donot

connectdirectly tocontemporaryconditions Onepart ohearing isto listen

withenoughimaginationtomakeconnectionsbeyondtheactualstatemento

thetextOldpoemsrequiremuchimaginationIsraelspoetictraditionothe

prophetsknowsthatonourownwesinkintodenialandordespairButthese

poetsalsoknowthatweareneverunaddressedneverletaloneindenialnever

lethopelessindespairWearealwaysjarredinvitedandsummonedintoobedi-

enceinaworldpresidedoverbytheGodwhohauntsinoldpoemsheardnew

FromAvoicebeyondourownWalterBrueggemannOriginallyappearedin The Cryvol8no(Summer)

Ironically attemptingto clariy thenatureosimplicityactuallyrevealedwithin

methekindobreathlessnon-simplisticscramblingtowhichourcultureisprone

Ourschedulesareexhaustingourlivesareulltoburstingandweeelthepersis-

tentpressuretocomplicateourlivestodomoreseemorebemorehavemore

ButJesusmessageisjuxtaposedwithsuchchaoticmomentumandpluralisticmo-

tivationseekrsthiskingdomandhisrighteousness(Matt633)SimpleMuchsimplerthanItendtomakeitOverandoveragainthelanguageoScripturead-

monishesustoxoureyessingularlyupontheKingdomoGodwithnearlyscan-

dalousdisregardorourpersonalgoalsdesiresandattimesevenourneedsen-

trustingthoseinsteadtoGod

FromOnethingJennierDeanOriginallyappearedinThe Cryvol6no(Spring)


14/16

4 The Cry Spring3

BueosAiresArgetia

WMFArgentinacontinueditspartnershipwith

IglesiaEvanglicaBautistadeConstitucin

providingtutoringandactivitiesto5to

childrentwiceeachweek

TheWMFArgentinaboardodirectorsheld

itsinauguralmeetinginDecemberandshared

oodbasketswithriendsothecommunity

StamemberWalterForcattoandBoard

ChairpersonLorenaJurezjoinedagroupoyoungadultsromIglesiaEvanglicaBautista

deConstitucinonamissiontriptoPeru

whichincludedtimewithWMFPeru

StamemberDavidBaynebeganaspiritual

directiontrainingprogramthroughSan

FranciscoTheologicalSeminary

ElAltoBolivia

AterahiatusduetolackoundstheHouse

oHoperesumedcookingandknittingclasses

WMFBoliviahostedworkshopsinElAltoand

LaPazwithspeakerDrDarrellWhitemanon

thecontextualizationothegospelinBolivia

InDecembertheHouseoHopereceived

$throughHopeMob(anonprotthat

raisesundsthroughonlinecrowd-unding)toullyreopenitsdrop-incenter

ForChristmasthecommunitydistributedgit-

wrappedandhighlightedBiblestoeverygirlin

thered-lightdistrict

FieldDirectorAndyBakerbegantheyearlong

ArrowLeadershipProgram

InJanuaryArielArnsdorbeganservingas

CoordinatoroPresence

RiodejaeiroBrazil

ForChristmasWMFBrazilcollectedand

distributedoodbasketstoamilies

TheEstherProjecthelditsannualChristmas

partyorthewomenandchildrenitserves

InJanuaryasuccessulSchoolSupplyCampaignprovided3childrenwithbackpacks

lledwithschoolsupplies

ThroughtheWMFsponsorshipprogramandits

partnershipwithProjecto VidinhaaChristian

childrenshometwochildrenreceivedschool

suppliesanduniorms

DiegoRochaaormerstamemberwhowill

bevolunteeringwithWMFBrazilorthree

monthsarrivedinFebruary

Thecommunitymournedthedeathooneo

thewomenwhoparticipatedinthe

EstherProject

CheaiIdia

JosephineandSymrnatwoyoungpeople

involvedintheWMFChennaicommunityeachreceivedaone-yeardiplomaincomputer

applicationsTheyarenowpursuingtheir

BacheloroTheologydegreesattheInstitute

oMissiology

KolkataIdia

InDecemberSariBaripurchasedabuildingits

rstownedproperty!

FormerstamemberKyleScottcameto

Kolkataorseveralmonthstohelpoverseethe

renovationothenewbuilding

Twentywomengraduatedromtrainingatthe

productionunitsinvolvedwithWMFKolkata

ServantTeammembersNathanAnnieAmalia

SeraandKaridepartedinDecember

ChrisHalememberothebandAradhna

visitedWMFKolkataHeledworshipor

womenintheneighborhoodandalongwith

hisriendSwamiMuktanandspoketothe

womenoSariBari

WMFKolkataenjoyedvisitsromormerWMF

stamembersJaredandJulieLandrethand

ormerstamemberMindeSmythandher

husbandKevin

ChisiauMoldova

Apart-timesocialworkerwashiredto

strengthenrelationshipswithamiliesinvolved

withWMFMoldovaandapart-timedoctor

washiredtoaddresschildren'shealthand

hygieneneeds

DirectorAdrianaCiobanugavebirthtoa

healthybabygirlDeliaGabrielainNovember

StamemberJohnKoonsteppedinor

Adrianaduringhermaternityleave

CommunityCareFacilitatorRachelSimons

receivedanawardromheralmamater

GordonCollegeoryearsoserviceasa

missionary

OverChristmascardsmadebyadolescentswhoattendWMFMoldovas

schoolprogramweresoldatalocalprivate

highschool

Theadvocacyteampublishedtheyearsrst

issueoChildhoods Echoanewspaperthat

highlightschildren'svoices

Kathmadunepal

FormerWMFstamembersJaredandJulie

LandrethvisitedNepal

ThegirlswhoarepartoKaruna Ghar(Home

oCompassion)wentonhikingtripsinboth

NovemberandDecember

Karuna GharparticipatedinaChristmasbazaar

sellingzucchinicakecoeeandtea

GautamRaioneotheKaruna GharDirectors

wasanointedasapastoroLivingChurchin

January

TheKaruna Gharchildrenwereinvolvedinthe

FebruaryLivingChurchyouthconerence

JoshandBekahHiltsinternswithWMF

ThailandandtheirriendMeenavisited

inFebruary

LimaPeru

WMFPeruisrentingoutthesecondooroits

ministrycentertoraiseadditionalunds

TwoteamsromFirstBaptistChurchin

ColombiavisitedWMFPeruinJuly

InSeptemberWMFPerubeganthe35Street

Operationanewcampaigntoraisemoneyto

servechildrenwholiveonthestreet

Twenty-veChristmasbasketsaswellas

toysorchildrenwerecollectedandgivento

theamiliesotheStudentSupportProgram

Peruvianvolunteersassistedwiththisproject

InJanuaryWMFPerusaidgoodbyeto

EsperanzaGualQuirozandtheIngrumamily

GeoRaechelandtheirourchildren

GalatiRomaia

InSeptemberWMFRomaniawelcomed

newchildrentoitsValleyCommunityCenter

ASaturdaykidsclubwaslaunchedin

September

COUNTRY UPDATES

BeginninginSeptembertheValleyCommunity

Centerhasbeenopentwoeveningsaweekodiscussionsandgameswithteenagers

WMFstamemberAncaArchipandvoluntee

EugenBriceacgotmarriedinOctober

Communitymemberssolddrinkscookiesand

hand-sewnbagsatalocalsoccertournament

VolunteerMiriamStatewashiredasan

educatoratTudorVladimirescuDayCenter

WMFRomaniasdaycenterorchildrenatrisk

FrankSummersalongtimeriendoWMFRomaniawhovisitsregularlyromEngland

reurbishedtheelectricalsystemattheTudor

VladimirescuDayCenter

SueElaineandDavidgoodriendsoWMF

Romaniavisitedthecommunityinorderto

betteradvocateoritthroughPCFRomania

Projectsanonprotintheirhomecountryo

England

ForChristmascommunitymemberscaroled

throughoutthecitychildrenperormeda

pageantortheiramiliesandWMFRomania

threwanall-nightpartyonChristmasnight

DavidChronicRegionalCoordinatorand

AdrianBuhaiChairpersonotheWMF

RomaniaboardvisitedWMFSierraLeone

FreetowSierraLeoe InOctobertheWMFSierraLeonecommunity

wentonaretreat

StamemberAlaaColegotmarriedtoAlekeh

inNovember

Over5childrenattendedtheKrooBay

Christmaspartywheretheyenjoyedgamesa

Nativityskitoodandgits

EthanPolletandBradMullercompletedtheir

serviceasServantTeammembers

SeoaServantTeammemberromCanada

movedintoKrooBayinJanuary

WMFSierraLeonewelcomedIsaacBalla

BanguraasKrooBayOutreachandVolunteer

CoordinatorandDinaContehasTutoringand

WomensMinistryCoordinator

BagkokThailad

TheWMFThailandcommunitywelcomed

internsJoshandBekahHilts

Therecentlypurchasedcommunitycenter

wasofciallyopenedandisbeingusedasa

classroomorcounselingservicesandasthe

siteoagardenproject

WMFThailandcommunitymembersattended

a-dayFoodMattersworkshopinNorthern

Thailandtolearnaboutgardeningtechniques

BeggarsSocietyamonthlyWMFThailand

eventwelcomedspeakersAshleyBarkerand

ScottBessenecker

TwonewstamembersMinaThapaandMolly

EvansjoinedWMFThailand

ThecommunitysubmittedthenalpaperworkoritsregistrationasaThai-recognized

oundationwiththenameCreativeLie

Foundation

OmahanebraskaUSA

TheWMFofcewelcomedKristenHuas

BookkeeperinOctoberandBelaIspasasDirector

oOperationsinMarch

JeSwartDirectoroFinanceandStewardship

andBoWhiteInterimExecutiveDirectorattende

meetingsinAtlantaGaandinLondonEngland

PhileenaandChrisofciallylaunchedGravitya

CenterorContemplativeActivismLearnmoreat

gravitycentercom

4 The Cry Spring3


15/16

Spring'3 The Cry 5

your giT enaBles WM To serve Jesus aMong The pooresT

o The poor. learn More aT WordMadelesh.org.

LEARn MORE

READ

WMFiscurretlacceptig

applicatiosorFall3Servat

Teams!ApplicatiosaredueoMaFind more inormation at wordmadeeshorg/get-involved/servant-teams.

COnnECTwordmadeeshorg

twitter@wordmadeeshacebooksearchorwordmadeesh

uxctgt

InhisnewbookChristopherHeuertzCo-FounderoWordMadeFleshnameschallengesthatpeopleencounterwhileengagedinrelationships

andcommunitiesInsteadoleadingtodivisionhoweverChrissuggests

thatultimatelytheseobstaclesmaybeunexpectedandbeautiulgits

GO

ExcerptromChristopherLHeuertzUnexpected Git(NewYorkHowardBooks3)pxv-xv

Ironicallyasmuchasweyearnordeepriendshipsandmeaningulcommuni-

tiesmanyousseemtobeunabletondourwayintothemEveniweknow

weremadeorcommunityndingoneandstayingthereseemsalmostimpos

sibleThoughwehatetoadmititiwestaylongenoughinanyrelationshiporset

oriendshipswewillexperienceailuredoubtburnoutlonelinesstransitionsa

lossoselbetrayalrustrationasenseoentitlementgrieandwearinessYet

itsthesepainulcommunityexperiencesthesetensionswestruggletonavigate

thatholdsurprisinggits

Photo:Hopejewell


16/16

FInALTHOUGHT

What isenough?Weaceanopportunityevery

timewe ponder the answer Manypeople in the

worlddontneedtoanswerthisquestionbecause

theyresimplytryingtosurviveOutoourexcess

mayweaddresstheissuesoneedandsueringall

aroundusJoinmeincreatinganewdreamcrat-

ingadierentstoryTheonlypersonwhocande-

terminewhatisenoughoryouisyouDrawyour

line today To live with less so others can have

moreYouhavetheopportunitytogainaliestyle

oexcessivegenerosity

ExcerptromJeShinabargerMore or Less: Choosing a Liestyle o Excessive Generosity.

(ColoradoSpringsCODavidCCook3)p56

ItimacWecelebrateintimacy

withJesustobeourhighestcalling

andourcreatedpurpose

ObedieceWecelebrateobedience

asourlovingresponsetothegrace

oJesus

HumilitWecelebratehumility

beoreGodandhumanity

CommuitWecelebratecommu-

nityasameansordiscipleshipand

service

ServiceWecelebrateserviceasan

expressionoourellowship

SimplicitWecelebratesimplicity

asaprivilegeinidenticationwith

Jesusandthepoor

SubmissioWecelebratesubmis-

siontoJesuseachotherandthe

poor

BrokeessWecelebratebroken-

nessasourresponsibilityinministry

amongthebroken

SuerigWecelebratesueringas

awillingsacriceinservingJesus

Non-ProtO

USPostag

PAID

OmahaN

Permit#6

POBox7

OmahaNE68-7

USA

8794543

ino@wordmadefeshorg

the cry spring 2013

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