I attended the January series at Calvin College with William Garvelink today. He’s currently the U.S. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He used to work for USAID and has spent most of his career in humanitarian efforts. If you’re interested you can read more about him, USAID and Congo at these links:
Garvelink
The first part of his talk detailed how the US decides to send aid to other nations, which is well documented elsewhere if you’re interested. After that he showed pictures of the aftermath of natural disasters. They look very much like this.
By this point in my life I’ve heard about and seen pictures of plenty of terrible things (perhaps you’re in the same boat). So, one more image isn’t going to do much in the way of getting me riled up for change. I already want change and pray for it. You don’t need to do any more convincing of this guy.
When it came time for Q and A, a woman stood up and began her question with, “Perhaps this question is better directed towards God rather than you,” she then began to talk about how she’s begged her friends in journalism to give more airtime to the problems in the world. They have had to respond with, “It doesn’t sell.”
She then asked a question of Mr. Garvelink that went a little like this:
What does it take for us to stop caring so much about what Brittany Spears is wearing and start caring about the world around us?
Thoughts?
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January 23, 2008 at 11:48
Where to start? What a question to ask when so much is going wrong in so many places all at the same time. Prayer again is where we start and let the holy spirit guide you in the direction your gifts are needed. Yes Virginia sex, violence, diasters and down right meaness always get first in prime time. Don’t let that discourage you and stop you from doing that little something someone thought would never happen. We can make a difference in spite of the one who would rather us not. With God at our side we can make a difference. Ask and he will come running to help, but first you have to step out, get acquainted with our Savior and show his love to others. It works for here I am as someone took that step for me. In God’s Grace John
January 29, 2008 at 22:21
Honestly, I think people care more about Brittany because it doesn’t take much effort or feeling to care about Brittany. To care about the world is to take on the hurts of the world. The burden to care for real issues is much heavier than the latest celebrity scandel.