The Boy Who Started It All

     By now, you should know about Memuyl. If you do not, I forgive you and I will take the time to talk about one of my favorite people.
     Memuyl was the one who started it all. I was at a time in my life when all I wanted to do was understand. I did not want to be walking the path I was beginning- the path of healing. The leaders of my DTS outreach team had sent us to go find the border of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Two other girls and I took our time and decided to kinda just, roam and hope we didn't get lost. I think that was our biggest concern- getting lost. We had eaten lunch and gabbed about whatever and then someone decided to go up the stairs. The stairs were concrete and if you did not know they led you to the market no sane person would go up. We did not know (I think I am going to blame the jet lag for our rash decision); we went up. And it was such a delight to go up. Okay, not the going up process, but what we found when we reached the top:

PS. The older boy in dark blue is Memuyl. 


(That is me asking if he wants lunch.)


And this is when we met: ^

     Watching him and his young friend beg broke my heart. Looking back, this might have been the moment when I put a face to "child at risk" and when my heart really touched God's. He is in love with this kids. He mourns their lost childhood. He longs for them as His children to know Him as their Father God. But more than that; He longs for those of us who already believe to be His hands and feet to "the least of these". I know I touched God's heart when we took them out to lunch. 
      Something else happened that day. Something I cannot fully explain still, but I will try my best. This little boy (and, obviously, God) sprouted something in my heart. Something that said, "I WILL meet this injustice head-on." 
       What injustice?
       The injustice of children living on the streets. Begging, selling their bodies, stealing, doing anything to make it from one day to the next. The injustice of girls living in a Red Light Area (an area known for prostitution) and knowing no other kind of life than that of being a "professional". 
         But what can I, one individual, do?
        Honestly, I am not sure. But I have to do something because all I know is Memuyl started something in me that says I will not back down until I see this fight won. Until I see this current generation of street children and children growing up in the Red Light Area and any child- at- risk around the world not only rescued.
         But restored. 
    In January and February, I fulfilled a ten- year dream. On January 1, I stepped into Mumbai (Bombay), India. And on January 28, I flew from Kathmandu, Nepal to Pune, India. I had dreamed of going to India. Now that dream, as beautiful and amazing and all positive, happy words known to man, is over. Fulfilled. Well, I am here to tell you: I have a new dream.

Friend Raising

"   Most of us are programmed with cultural how-to's that say,'Don't lean on anyone. The self-made man is the one admired.' Many potential missionaries are tempted to say, 'I can't ask for money. I'd be embarrassed. I don't know how to accept. Can't I just have a part-time job on the side?'
     Such statement, which in one sense challenges us to responsibility, also spawn a death-producing independence contrary to the kingdom of God. This independence is rooted in pride, whereas interdependence is rooted in humility. God's Word reveals to us our weaknesses as mere humans while at the same time offering us personal, intimate relationship with our awesome, powerful God. Only through relationship with Him and with one another do we become strong. Only through humility are we free to acknowledge our need for God and others.
   ... Many people throughout history have failed because of their strengths rather than their weaknesses. Strengths give us a sense of false security.  "
                                                                                                - Friend Raising by Betty Barnett

      I cannot help but laugh at how true this is. There are so many times, especially within the last month, when I have thought to myself, 'I miss working. I miss having money to go out and buy running shoes or a new book.' I was always frugal with my money, but sometimes I had a craving to go spend $15 at Half Price Books or a thrift store. And now, I can't. I am scraping pennies in hopes to stay here and continue on in missions. I hope to one day go overseas, but I am terrified of fundraising. Mainly because I have the idea that asking people for money is "embarrassing". But here is the thing, "missionaries for the Lord are not sparring verbally with others to get their money. Interdependence is not Christian welfare. It is the joining of forces to defend the faith and to fight the good fight." (Barnett)
    ...Christian welfare. Growing up, we moved around a lot. Every month or so, we were at a new place. All six of us in one room or- if we were somehow really lucky- three. We got really good at living out of banana boxes and backpacks, eating food that had expired months earlier and, even better, at acting like we did not care. Like we did not care that we lived all over the metroplex or that we could not really invite someone over to spend the night. But for me, I got really good of acting like I did not care that people were calling us "charity cases" or "urchins" (which technically was not true because we never lived on the streets). The first time I was called a charity case to my face- honestly, I forget how old I was- I blushed so hard. My face could have literally lit the room. It was embarrassing. I had not asked for anything either, but there she was telling me that my family and I were a "charity case". And this was a lady in the church. So yeah, Christian welfare, it might be a new term, but it is a sure thought. I think it was from this first encounter that I began to think I would never go back to living this kind of lifestyle. And now I am a missionary. Haha, God, You have a crazy sense of humor.
   
  " In preparation for both short- and long- term mission services, personal conviction about support raising will make or break our ability to realize ministry income: is it fundamentally right? Is it good? Is it holy? Am I worthy of support?" (Barnett)

   I think the last question is the age old question when it comes down to it. Jesus had financial supporters (Luke 8:3) so that would means 'yes' to the first three questions, but what about the last one? Often when I first contact someone about supporting me that is the question going through my mind- are they going to find me worthy of their financial support? Am I a good enough "cause" for them to pour into? Do they understand that they are coming onto my team- that together we are going to Thailand or India or Nepal or wherever else God leads me? The questions flood my mind and I freak myself out and then convince myself I cannot do it. But then I remind myself, God has called me. He has said, "Maya, go into all the world. Embrace this life. Trust Me for your finances." That alone tells me that, yes, I am worthy.
   But can I really raise the $500 monthly support I need to stay here in Madison? And hopefully, the rest of what I would need to go overseas and live. I have a long way to go, but God has shown me time and again how He is faithful and how He provides. So I guess that means I am excited and I expect something great out of this spring and summer.