hot tea and corpses

For a while we have been praying about when and how to start helping meet the streets kids physical needs.   How do we tackle the vast issue of homeless children in Africa?  God you have put this vision in our hearts, but WHERE DO WE BEGIN!!?

As Americans we are raised with the belief that all lives have value, meaning and purpose.  We are drilled from birth with the concept that no matter your station in life you can make something of yourself.  You can be someone and make a difference in the world around you.  It is one of the things that makes America so awesome!  Luis is a good example of that ideal.  He grew up with grinding poverty in Brooklyn yet was given all these really cool opportunities for education that are available to everyone.   He got a degree in art and today is a talented graphic designer with a hottie for a wife and three fantastic kids.  ONLY IN AMERICA BABY!!  :-)  

So, with that frame of reference, catapult yourselves with all your values and cultural frames of references and land smack in the middle of the involved, complex, sometimes impenetrable Gordian knot that is known as Africa.  It is a nexus of thought, feelings, and realities that the Morales clan had no foothold for.  Looking back on the almost 6 years we have been in Africa, I am grateful, so very grateful that God saw fit to allow our catapult to land us in the middle of a huge brick wall that said “WELCOME TO ZAMBIA”  As we slid down it to the sound of African drums in the background ending up in a heap on the floor wondering what the heck had happened, God was tearing down our expectations, our good ideas and intentions and building in us HIS expectations, HIS good ideas and intentions. 

Good ideas are fun, but if they aren’t God’s good ideas how far will they get you?

WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS MYRANDA!? 

Let me cut to the chase...

We have spent all this time building relationships and trust with the kids on the streets.   In short we have been faithful with the little bit that God has put into our hands to do.  Now, he has given us a bit more to be faithful with.  A few weeks ago someone dropped off a full fledged kit to serve tea to the kids.  She even put in some candies to hand out.  Luis and I both feel that now is the time to take things a step further.  So, now we are going to be serving tea on our outreaches and I couldn’t be more thrilled.  It is getting cold at night!

James 2:14-26 has been ringing in my ears for about a week now.   Break it out and read it....let me know your thoughts.  Specifically verse 26 rocks my world. 

The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. 

Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse. (the message)

I don't want to end up a corpse!! However, we NEVER want to get ahead of God’s timing!  As much as we love the kids on the streets, GOD LOVES THEM PASSIONATELY AND WITH OUT RESERVE!!!  Because if it is God’s idea to simply give out hot drinks and hugs, then someone’s life will be changed for it. 

If God is laying it on your heart to donate financially .... go to

 tscnyc.org / give / contribute to a missions trip / morales family zambia

Or you can mail a check or money order to 

Morales Family 

Times Square Church 

Missions department 

1657 Broadway FL 4

NYC, NY 10019

earmarked Morales family / zambia