the R isn't silent

World Vision is an international organization that has the purpose of providing necessities to children all around the world. They are the doers connecting the givers with the needy. They make $35 a month transform into work training, food, medical care, education, and other essential assistance for thousands of familes around the world. I'm not trying to make a sales pitch here, but I do think it's important to bless as you have been blessed, and they are an organization I trust to help Christians do that. So if you're looking for a trustworthy organization to donate to, they have my recommendation.

...that's not the point of this blog.

World Vision has a magazine they send out to sponsor to keep them posted on progress through the year, and also to make sponsors aware of extra Christmas opportunities. There was an article in this magazine titled "Red Shoes for Rwanda." This is where the point of the blog begins.

Sheridan Ellis of Washington state vowed to wear red shoes every day in 2010 whether they matched her outfit or not. And while some days she may have looked festive wearing red and green together, it caught people's attention--and that was her goal. The result of wearing the shoes was the "Red Shoes for Rwanda" campaign. Supporters agreed to sponsor her for up to $2 a day. Although that seems small at a glance, that's one person commiting over $700 a year, and she had multiple sponsors. All the money this one woman raises will support World Vision's project to benefit children in Rwanda.

Her small town of Quilcene, Washington now hosts Red Shoe Friday, where the townspeople demonstrate their support by wearing red shoes.

For those of you wondering 'why Rwanda,' perhaps you should watch Hotel Rwanda, the movie that inspired Sheridan's campaign, which is only a glimpse of the genocide in Rwanda. Some children have lost both parents due to AIDS. Sheridan reflects on if her own 2 children were in that situation that, 'it would be nice to think that if that happened to them, there would be someone--even some stranger thousands of miles away--who would be willing to do something to help them."

The article doesn't mention whether or not Sheridan gave of her own funds, so I'm not sure if she did. Just think, though, how much she was able to do just by putting on shoes. If money is what keeps you from helping others, or you feel like what you have to give isn't making a big enough impact, start a cause. Sheridan's passion was shoes, and she used it to glorify God and serve one of His greatest commandments (John 15:12, James 1:27). What's your passion? We can't all be artists, shoe lovers, sports stars, etc. Find what you're good at, what makes you really excited, and find a way to glorify God and help others with it. It will have vast rewards.

I 100% support the mission field and those called to ministry, but remember that just because you are passionate for God does not mean you'll be working full time for a church. I believe it was Kevin DeYoung's book Just Do Something that reminded me that we need doctors to keep the missionaries healthy, entrepreneurs to support the ministry, etc. etc. Where you are is your mission field, work in it. But don't just stop there.

The R in Rwanda isn't silent, the children hurting there are not silent, nor should you be silent. Step out, whether you're in red shoes or not.