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My husband and I were considering a new direction in ministry -- the Lord was leading us to "go cross-cultural" after ministering to middle-class white youth for 25 years. After our first evening of ministry with 200 African-American students in a small inner-city church, we were hooked! We knew we had found our passion. So it was that we spent several years developing and serving in a holistic ministry in an urban neighborhood. We ran an after-school program, which led to our daily presence in the city. We were invited to participate in weddings, funerals, births, parent-teacher conferences, and even to be involved with parents in disciplining their children. We eventually moved within walking distance of the area where we served.

One day, I was involved in casual conversation with several of our students. They were discussing the common skin color of everyone in the group. Someone pointed out a difference: "Miss Marilyn is White." Two siblings responded, "No she ain't. She Black!" There was a short discussion which convinced the doubters that my husband and I were indeed White. They turned to me and asked, "If you ain't Black, why you all come down here like this?!" I said, "Because God loves you, and we love you."

Sometimes, it's what is NOT noticed that makes it possible to notice the important thing that God wants us to see.

Marilyn Hull Ω

My story is a simple one, it is one that gives me joy to tell. I have had a growth on my brain since I was a child and I did not know I had it. I am greatful to the God and I am very thankful because I have been watched over for 50 years. I have been able to live my life and do the things that I love to do, with a rare brain disorder.

Gwen Davis-Sims Ω

It was Sunday afternoon and the the Monday Morning Blues were starting early. I had a new client to face the next day who was particularly demanding, and I wasn't ready. I had an employee who needed his job badly, to provide for his family of six, but who was not having success generating enough business to sustain himself. I had to talk with him, and I didn't know what to say about the viability of his position. On top of that, I was facing surgery for a total hip replacement in a week and a half, and the thoughts of the impact on my work schedule and the surgery itself were causing that fear-of-the-unknown anxiety to begin again.

I needed to do something to get my head out of the game, and to put the focus back on our Good God, so I picked up Spotting the Sacred and started to read. I read the chapter on Gratitude, and started to think. Twelve years ago I had decided to take the plunge into self employment with no clients and no income. I really trusted God then. Now I had a business that provided for my family, and we were even surviving one in college and another one the way to college. Looking back at the evolution of the business I thought of all the concidental occurances that lead to where we were. Those "coincidences", taken together, constituted a miracle, at least in my mind. God's care and involment is so clear in hind sight.

We had just recently been experiencing a relative slow time, and this new "demanding client" called and provided us with new work just at that time. I had been in touch with him on and off for years, and he finally decided to send some of his work our way - just when we needed it. Why hadn't I noticed that this "demanding client" was a blessing?

As for the hip, twenty years ago I would have been stuck with arthritis and pain for the rest of my life. What I was looking at was not surgery to be feared, but a whole new type of healing that was a modern miracle.

So much to be greatful for. So many examples of God's care and involvement in my life. Why hadn't I seen it? It's amazing what that realization did to my attitude. I wound up facing Monday morning with joy (another miracle). Thank you Bruce for helping to shake off the blinders. God, help me spot the sacred and be greatful to you all the time.

Tom Kulp Ω

I had to go to the local bookstore and pick up a book I'd ordered and I decided to take my 7 year old grandson, Joshua, with me since he had the day off. As we approached the bookstore a homeless man was begging with an old margarine container on the corner.

I thought to myself that this would be a great opportunity to teach my grandson a little bit about Christian charity. As we approached the man called out "Miss, do you have any spare change you could give me." Digging into my pockets I pulled out a two dollar coin and dropped it into the bucket. "Thanks so much" he said.

My grandson was intrigued at why someone would need to beg for money and so I gave him a disinfected pat answer about how some people came to be down on their luck and then turned my attention to the task at hand. As we shopped, Joshua became more and more quiet - not like him at all. Finally, I asked if something was wrong. "Grandma," he said, "that man only had two quarters in his bucket before you gave him the two dollars. That's not very much. He won't be able to buy lunch with that and he looked pretty hungry to me. I'd like to give him some of my allowance so he could maybe go to McDonalds today"

I hadn't paid that much attention as I dropped my coin into his bucket. I only wanted Joshua to notice my Christian example. But Joshua noticed that the man was probably hungry and that he didn't have enough to buy a meal. He wanted to make sure that this man would not go hungry today and so was willing to give up some of his allowance so that he could have something good to eat.

I so often think that I am teaching my grandson a Christian principle when in fact he teaches me. I saw a lesson - he saw a need.

Deb Northfield Ω

We have the book on order and cannot wait to receive it. Yesterday, spending the morning at UrbanPromise Ministries was an amazing experience for us both. I have been unable to work due to injuries from an accident and searching for a "purpose". I feel that I have found that in UrbanPromise. Meeting Bruce and feeling the warmth just emanating from him~the man actually glows!!! We were made to feel welcomed and at home and needed. I have often had the feeling of seeing Jesus in the little things~Bruce Main's book sums it up beautifully and brings those thoughts to another level entirely.
My husband and I both are panning on volunteering where we are needed. We know that in our giving we will recieve ten fold.

Janice Trojanowski Ω

My experience in Costa Rica was amazing. I went with Edge Outreach; a ministry based in Louisville. A group of college students from Depauw University were part of the main group. Steve and Annette from Crescent Hill Baptist were also there doing a documentary on the water in Costa Rica for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

We stayed in the Mission House (La Case de Agua Pura) in San Francisco de Dos Rios (outside of San Jose). Edgar and Julie are the Missionaries stationed there at the Mission House. Anna and Lucy were the cooks and they were amazing!

We worked in two slum areas outside of San Jose -- La Carpio and La Tabla. While ministering in these barrios I met the most amazing people. First, I met Steve (from Texas) and Antonio. These two guys are in charge of ministering to the children of La Carpio. The kids love them and they show the love of Christ in amazing ways. We were able to install a water purification system in La Carpio. Steve has started a soccer team in the slum and they won a big championship game this year. Steve prays with the guys before each game. He also shares the eternal love of Christ with them on a daily basis. I asked Steve what his strategy was with the soccer team and he said, "My strategy is no strategy. I just let the guys play."

Pastora Bella Flor and her husband minister in La Tabla. She has developed a feeding program with Food for the Hungry for almost 100 children. She has sought justice for many women in abuse cases. Almost 15 churches have come and gone in the last 10 years in La Tabla but the church - Jehovah Shama (God is Here) has remained a lighthouse for 10 years in La Tabla. I greatly admire these ministers of the Gospel. Their compassion for the poor and downtrodden and their search for justice seemed to have no limits. If you are reading this now, stop and pray for Steve, Antonio and Pastora Bella Flor! Ask God's protection and full Armor of God (Ephesians 6) to be hovering over them.

We were also able to install a water purifier at a church in El Colorado - a fishing village in the Guanacaste area. We had the privilege of hooking up the purifier to a well so the church and community members don't have to spend more money on city water. The Pastor and his wife were extremely grateful and are excited about the opportunities that pure water will enable them to share the pure love of Jesus Christ.

God also gave us the opportunity to minister at an Orphanage in El Coronado. We added another tank to their water purifier so that they can drink clean water, cook in clean water and take showers in clean water. The director of the orphanage informed our group that since the children have been able to drink clean water - they no longer have to take parasite medicine and they go to the doctor much less.

I once read that Mother Teresa believed that there is a unique spirituality that comes to us through the poor. Matthew 25 tells us that we find God's presence among the poor. Through the friendships I built with the poor and downtrodden in Costa Rica, I experienced God and the scriptures in a new way. Through fellowship with the children in La Carpio, I learned things about God that I believe cannot be learned in any other way. I understand Mark 10 much better now. There is no wonder Jesus commanded the rich young ruler in Mark 10 to sell all he had and give it to the poor....Jesus knew what would happen when that rich young ruler would encounter the poor. It is not just that the poor need help but I discovered that the poor are in touch with spiritual realities that self-sufficient rich folks can never know (hence the story of the Rich young Ruler.) As I listened to the testimonies of the poor, the Holy Spirit taught me a great many things about the Scriptures that middle class people like me often fail to grasp.

I am grateful that I am now able to see the scriptures through the eyes of the oppressed because the Bible is a story of a God who hears the cries of the oppressed both spiritually and socially. My God is a God who provides deliverance not only from sin and guilt but also from poverty and racial discrimination.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and Christian, once said when Jesus calls a man, he calls him to come and die. Jesus calls all of us and it requires the death of personal and nationalistic self interests, the sacrifice of material possession, and ego in response to the poor and downtrodden.

If you are reading this and you are frustrated with God or the church, I pray that you will commit to take a mission trip somewhere where you'll be in fellowship with the poor. God will restore your faith and your worldview.

BLESSINGS!

Tomara Brown Ω
Minister with Students
St. Matthews Baptist Church
Louisville, Ky 40207

At the Nov. deadline, only two boxes had been packed and donated, one of which demonstrated noteworthy sacrifice. It was given by one of our elderly women who despite her arthritis still works in home health care. She is the only adult in our church who does not drive and probably has the lowest income.

Nonetheless, Miss Sammie walked several blocks to get to a store and out of her meager income purchased a wonderful assortment of all the right items listed by Samaritan's Purse. (I know, because I wrapped her shoebox for her before taking it to the distribution point.)

May Jesus bless Miss Sammie for her heartfelt generosity and sacrifice, which I found most inspiring.

Carol Aucamp Ω