Giving Tuesday

Today is a national day for Christmas Giving. For businesses, it is a day to do your final tax deductible giving. For individuals, it is a day that we can give to others in honor of Jesus, who was given as a gift to us.

There are many ways you can give. I challenge you to find as many ways as possible to give this day away! Here are some ideas:

You can give your time: You could volunteer as a Salvation Army bell ringer. If you'd like your gift of time to keep giving, consider volunteering at a local shelter or humane society. Your local church is probably looking for volunteers for various ministries. It really doesn't matter where you give your time, just give it in Jesus' name!

You can give your money: What are you passionate about? There are so many charities out there and they all need help. Do you have a burden for a particular country or problem? This year alone, we have had multiple natural disasters, the most devastating being Typhoon Haiyan. Check out Charity Navigator or Guidestar for the best charities. If a charity is not listed, any legitimate, honest charity will make their financial report available to you upon request.
 There is a debate about the appropriateness of a donation made to a charity in luau of a traditional gift, and my best answer for that is that it depends upon the recipient. 
If the donation is made to a charity or cause that the recipient is passionate about, the donation gift will likely be received well because you gave the donation in a personal, thoughtful way.
If you don't know the person well enough to know what they like, then maybe you should give that person the gift of your time and friendship. If you don't want to know them better,  then maybe you've found someone to re-gift that fruitcake to ;) just kidding!
Here is one example of a donation that should be well received:

1. Pastor's Gift: In luau of an expensive Fruit basket,  give a Christmas Dinner Basket to a Pastor living in extreme poverty. Most pastors in the developing world are volunteers. They struggle to provide for their families. (a great idea for Pastor Appreciation Month is partner with PDN in honor of your pastor).  I was blessed to spend time at PDN in Uganda and meet Richmond and his family. He has such a contagious passion for equipping these church leaders.


You can give forgiveness and grace! Forgiving someone does not change the wrong that was done to you in the past, but it does change your future. The bible says that God knew us before we were born, and knew we would need forgiveness. God created the gift of Jesus for us before we existed because he chose to forgive us BEFORE we ever asked him to forgive us. Give that same grace to someone today. It won't be easy, but the cross wasn't easy either.

You can give your resources: Do you have an unused coat hanging in your closet? Local Vicksburg Residents can drop kid's coats off at River Region or Atwood or to the Mission. Give gently used toys, household items, and clothes while doing some needed holiday de-cluttering!

You can give your respect: Thank a veteran for serving our country, bake cookies and thank local firefighters or policemen in person for protecting our property and streets. Be nice to the cashier that seems to have had a bad day. Look into the eyes of a homeless person and smile.

You can give labor: Do you have special talents that you can give? Can you change the oil in a single mother's car? Change the lightbulbs in an ederly person's apartment? Cook dinner for someone? The ideas are endless.

You can give prayers: Pray for the sick, lost, and hurting.

Don't let the giving end today! Give everyday!
Try to give like God gave. He gave the perfect gift. He gave a gift that keeps on giving. He gave a priceless gift that is more precious than diamonds. He gave to those he knew so well that he knew our greatest need. He gave a gift with no intention of getting anything in return. Giving Jesus was a sacrifice like none other. God is the most thoughtful gift giver. Instead of just randomly giving a gift to someone, think about the person. What are their needs, wants, and what are they passionate about? Do you need to get to know them better, or just simply tell them they matter to you? Give intentionally, personally, and from the heart. with or without monetary gifts.

Giving Tuesday is all about giving, but what you will receive is an overflowing abundance of joy!!!

To Bail Water or Bail Out

As most of you following my blog know, I have been advocating for safe water for my sick sponsored child, Daniel.
When I first pursued this water project a few months ago, I was unaware that suitable land would not be found for drilling.
When I later found out that this is now a Rainwater Harvesting Project, it would only serve the needs for the school and it's students.
This made me pause, because would it be enough? I really hoped for the needs of the entire community to be provided, but that won't happen with this one project. Should I even continue pursuing this project with all of the obstacles we have faced so far?
I found this video of a Rainwater project in Ghana.

 

I plan to continue my efforts for Kanyaryeru Primary School and I am currently attempting to reach out to local government to partner with our efforts to provide clean water and clean latrines for this school. I cannot wait to see what God will do!

                                  CLICK HERE TO DONATE

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME- BEVERLY

Compassion Blogger Assignment #2: Write a letter to God about your sponsored Children.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I praise you my holy God. You are worthy of my continuous praise and I pray for your strength and wisdom to do your will in my life at all times.
I still remember that day I finally got up the nerve to admit that I had a hard time accepting that you were this fair, just, and loving God. I remember asking you;
"Lord, why do you allow some of your children to be naked, hungry, and homeless while others are living in mansions, being gluttons, and having so much stuff they have to have big houses to store it all? Where is the fairness in that, Lord?
Then, I got still in his prescence. I really listened. In your still, quiet voice you answered me with one question:
"Beverly, why do you allow some of my children to be naked, hungry, and homeless while you are living in a big house, eating more than you should, spending money to drink soda while my children are without water, shopping for clothes to go into your over full closets, while my children are naked. Where is the fairness in that, Beverly?"
I still remember like it was yesterday. I was walking in the park. Although I did not HEAR you say that, the conviction I felt that moment was life changing. I knew that the God that created the Heavens and the Earth had listened, and had spoke, and that you were not happy with me. Before that day I thought you were satisfied with the condition of my heart. I felt sorry for the poor, weak, and suffering. I cried when the commercials came on and even prayed for them. I threw change in the kettle and filled a shoebox. But that day I learned that you did not want my charity. You wanted me to be COMPASSIONATE. Your son spent time on earth not only to save us from death, but to show us how to live. You want me to suffer with the suffering. You called me to give sacraficially, not give left overs. You called me to suffer with the suffering, not to feel sorry. You asked us not to give charity to the poor but to give ourselves. You want me in fellowship with the poor, the sick, the suffering, the widowed, and the orphaned. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I should treat them like family. But how God?
Compassion International has been the vessel God used to put me into fellowship with the poor, the sick, the widowed, the orphaned, and the suffering. This ministry allows me to be in fellowship with a child in poverty. I am able to provide Daniel and Isaac with an education, food, clothing, and a chance to know Jesus. I have made some sacrafices to give to the family, but I have been given so much more in return. You see, when you get in fellowship, poverty becomes personal. Their needs become your own. Myself having plenty is a lot less important when you are making sure someone else has enough.
For a small monetary donation monthly, you can also be in fellowship with the poor. You can be Compassionate, through Compassion.
Just click on the banner on the top of the page to see children in need who you can know personally.

Are you there God, It's me Beverly

Compassion Blogger Assignment #2: Write a letter to God about your sponsored Children.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I praise you my holy God. You are worthy of my continuous praise and I pray for your strength and wisdom to do your will in my life at all times.
I still remember that day I finally got up the nerve to admit that I had a hard time accepting that you were this fair, just, and loving God. I remember asking you;
"Lord, why do you allow some of your children to be naked, hungry, and homeless while others are living in mansions, being gluttons, and having so much stuff they have to have big houses to store it all? Where is the fairness in that, Lord?
Then, I got still in his prescence. I really listened. In your still, quiet voice you answered me with one question:
"Beverly, why do you allow some of my children to be naked, hungry, and homeless while you are living in a big house, eating more than you should, spending money to drink soda while my children are without water, shopping for clothes to go into your over full closets, while my children are naked. Where is the fairness in that, Beverly?"
I still remember like it was yesterday. I was walking in the park. Although I did not HEAR you say that, the conviction I felt that moment was life changing. I knew that the God that created the Heavens and the Earth had listened, and had spoke, and that you were not happy with me. Before that day I thought you were satisfied with the condition of my heart. I felt sorry for the poor, weak, and suffering. I cried when the commercials came on and even prayed for them. I threw change in the kettle and filled a shoebox. But that day I learned that you did not want my charity. You wanted me to be COMPASSIONATE. Your son spent time on earth not only to save us from death, but to show us how to live. You want me to suffer with the suffering. You called me to give sacraficially, not give left overs. You called me to suffer with the suffering, not to feel sorry. You asked us not to give charity to the poor but to give ourselves. You want me in fellowship with the poor, the sick, the suffering, the widowed, and the orphaned. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I should treat them like family. But how God?
Compassion International has been the vessel God used to put me into fellowship with the poor, the sick, the widowed, the orphaned, and the suffering. This ministry allows me to be in fellowship with a child in poverty. I am able to provide Daniel and Isaac with an education, food, clothing, and a chance to know Jesus. I have made some sacrafices to give to the family, but I have been given so much more in return. You see, when you get in fellowship, poverty becomes personal. Their needs become your own. Myself having plenty is a lot less important when you are making sure someone else has enough.
For a small monetary donation monthly, you can also be in fellowship with the poor. You can be Compassionate, through Compassion.
Just click on the banner on the top of the page to see children in need who you can know personally.

Introduction

Hello! My name is Beverly Yearwood. I am a wife, mother, hairstylist, salon owner, sponsor, correspondent,  and child advocate for Compassion International.
I am completely dependent on God's grace. I am so thankful for the gift of salvation.
This blog is about a journey I am beginning in a mercy and justice ministry and the reason I began this journey.
It starts in 1978. My favorite year growing up. The memories....Best friends Edie & Christian, Grease the Movie, Andy Gibb, and Stretch Armstrong--but the fondest memory was on February 28th I accepted Christ as my savior. My friend Dana had accepted Christ and explained it to me, and I wanted Jesus in my heart too. I mean, I grew up in church, so I felt he was always there, but I needed to "invite" him according to her. I remember, although I did not get the "full understanding" of just how great this gift was, I did understand he was in my heart and would never leave. Not alot changed in my prayer life because I already prayed everyday. Not much changed in my Bible reading, because I already read it alot. What changed was my heart. It became obvious at 8 years old that God had given me the gifts of mercy and giving. I remember after watching the naked, starving, fly infested children of the Africa famine on TV and begging God to take their suffering away and one day make it possible for me to help them. God's answer to that prayer could have come much earlier. I got in his way.
 I don't like confrontation. I don't like to rock the boat. Anyway, don't we have big enough problems in America? Wouldn't it be selfish to send even a small amount overseas? I'm just one person. I can't save the world.
But I can save one. I finally realized that I was getting in God's way. I now know that he gifts each of us differently on purpose to fulfill his purpose. I should quit being ashamed that I want to help those on the other side of the world. God gifted me this way....long before I became a mid aged prejudiced redneck. So, I asked God to forgive me for my prejudice attitude and told him I would put away my fear of confrontation, and I'd go against the grain for him. I'd plead the case for the least of these because I love them, because of his love for me.
Pastor Terry and Beverly White introduced me to Compassion International. The organization that God has lit a fire in me for. I will blog later on why this organization above all other ministries.
Thank you for your time. I promise I won't blog so long next time!