the cry spring 2013
TRANSCRIPT
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AadvocacouralSpring3vol9no
ThesimplelieSimplicitasacceptacechallegeadbeautSharingourlightCreatigspaceCelebratingsimplicityHowbeautiularetheeetFromthearchives
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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
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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
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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
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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"
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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?"
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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InhisnewbookChristopherHeuertzCo-FounderoWordMadeFleshnameschallengesthatpeopleencounterwhileengagedinrelationships
andcommunitiesInsteadoleadingtodivisionhoweverChrissuggests
thatultimatelytheseobstaclesmaybeunexpectedandbeautiulgits
GO
ExcerptromChristopherLHeuertzUnexpected Git(NewYorkHowardBooks3)pxv-xv
Ironicallyasmuchasweyearnordeepriendshipsandmeaningulcommuni-
tiesmanyousseemtobeunabletondourwayintothemEveniweknow
weremadeorcommunityndingoneandstayingthereseemsalmostimpos
sibleThoughwehatetoadmititiwestaylongenoughinanyrelationshiporset
oriendshipswewillexperienceailuredoubtburnoutlonelinesstransitionsa
lossoselbetrayalrustrationasenseoentitlementgrieandwearinessYet
itsthesepainulcommunityexperiencesthesetensionswestruggletonavigate
thatholdsurprisinggits
Photo:Hopejewell
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7/28/2019 The Cry Spring 2013
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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
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OmahaNE68-7
USA
8794543
ino@wordmadefeshorg