Today was a pretty typical day in terms of support raising. I woke up, drove 45 minutes to a support meeting with family members, drove to visit two beloved members of my support team who I only just met last month, grabbed some lunch, drove home, took a quick nap, grabbed a cup of coffee, and went to work on some administrative tasks (writing thank yous, counting dollars raised so far, making follow up calls, reaching out to more people, blog writing, etc.)
Part way through the day though, as I was about to head towards home, I had one of those moments. One of those moments where you just stop, close your eyes, and thank God for His goodness.
You see, the past nine and a half weeks of reaching out and meeting with people, both those I've known 22 years and those I just met yesterday, have been unlike any before them. I have experienced more genuine connections in the past two months than I have in a long time.
These thoughts running through my head as of late (and especially today) have me wondering why. Why is it not normal in our culture to stop by the homes of distant relatives, church members, friends, former coworkers just to be together? I think due to the current climate of social media, we have developed a stark disconnect from those around us, disguised as an incredible connection with everyone we know. I could probably tell you what my friend from elementary school had for dinner last night, what movie my high school friend saw over the weeked, where people from my class in college are living now, the latest hair color of a former coworker, the political beliefs of many of my church friends... but when was the last time I actually connected with most of these people?
The technology that makes it capable to stay "in touch" with everyone we've ever crossed paths with is a blessing, don't get me wrong. Many of the people I consider to be "family" do not live in the States and without the internet, I don't know what I would do. But I think we need to take a step back from the virtual world to allow ourselves to be present in the real one. (I am preaching to myself here, guys!) This morning as I sat with my grandma's cousin and her husband in their kitchen and poured out my story and my vision for ministry, as I saw a tear run down her cheek as God spoke, as he searched the house to find memoirs from his own experience in Nicaragua, as I sat with two members of my church talking about life and how things were going for all three of us, as we prayed together before I left... I felt so... connected.
As crazy as it sounds friends, raising support for my ministry to Nicaragua is opening my eyes to really see and be present with those around me, is teaching me a new way to live, and more than anything, is awakening a part of me that I think my media-driven culture and generation have sort of been robbing me of for quite some time. I am learning, or maybe re-learning the treasure that is genuine connection with other human beings. Raising support is teaching me who I have been, who I am, and who I want to be. I want to challenge you today, dear friend...when was the last time you felt genuinely...connected?
[Image: Touristic Guide of Masaya, the department I will be living in in Nicaragua, lent to me this morning by my distant cousin, Richard.]