No Greater Love by Levi Benkert.
Y'all this book was amazing! I would so encourage you to read it! I finished it in two days, so it's not long! But it is life-changing.
A couple of months ago, we actually were able to meet the man who wrote it. Some friends in our missional community had a neighbor who knows him, and they asked him to come visit with us while he was in Austin.
This is their story of selling everything and moving to Africa to help save children who would otherwise be killed by their own families. Heartbreaking stories of these children and their tribes. :(
Sounds amazing and selfless, right? It totally is, but it's also funny because he actually admits that he initially did it because he was running away from his life here (without even realizing it at first). He had been working on developing real estate in California and had just invested a lot of money right before the recession hit. When it did, all of the properties were worth far less than what they were in for and it just couldn't be fixed. Life was stressful and frustrating and he just couldn't see a way out. This ended up being it. What is funny to me is that no matter what our motivations might be, God will still use them. While his initial motivation to go (even when he didn't realize it!) was selfish, God still used it to make a difference and to change his heart and his entire life! And, to change the lives of all of those children in Africa! And, to make a difference there for generations to come.
This book is encouraging, heartbreaking, awesome, and painful all at the same time.
Since I was a little girl, I have always had a heart for hurting kids. So, this book touched me to the core!
Now, my question is, What do I do about it???! I'm still figuring that one out. :)
The ministry they created is called Bring Love In, and I think it is the most practical (and awesome!) way to put into action James 1:27.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
Here's a video about it...
A couple of months ago, we actually were able to meet the man who wrote it. Some friends in our missional community had a neighbor who knows him, and they asked him to come visit with us while he was in Austin.
This is their story of selling everything and moving to Africa to help save children who would otherwise be killed by their own families. Heartbreaking stories of these children and their tribes. :(
Sounds amazing and selfless, right? It totally is, but it's also funny because he actually admits that he initially did it because he was running away from his life here (without even realizing it at first). He had been working on developing real estate in California and had just invested a lot of money right before the recession hit. When it did, all of the properties were worth far less than what they were in for and it just couldn't be fixed. Life was stressful and frustrating and he just couldn't see a way out. This ended up being it. What is funny to me is that no matter what our motivations might be, God will still use them. While his initial motivation to go (even when he didn't realize it!) was selfish, God still used it to make a difference and to change his heart and his entire life! And, to change the lives of all of those children in Africa! And, to make a difference there for generations to come.
This book is encouraging, heartbreaking, awesome, and painful all at the same time.
Since I was a little girl, I have always had a heart for hurting kids. So, this book touched me to the core!
Now, my question is, What do I do about it???! I'm still figuring that one out. :)
The ministry they created is called Bring Love In, and I think it is the most practical (and awesome!) way to put into action James 1:27.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
Here's a video about it...
Hope y'all check them out! :) Have a great Friday!!