Preaching to the Choir

by Kate Murr

It’s no secret that this blog “preaches to the choir” of Rainbow Network supporters.  This recognition today figuratively and literally brought to mind some refreshing refrains related to this network’s unique support for some of the Earth’s poorest individuals. 

Around this time every year, some of us brace ourselves for a whirlwind season of Giving. Indeed, The Rainbow Network depends on your generous, tax deductable, end-of-year gifts to complete the year’s work and propel us into a shiny new year of effectively eliminating poverty in rural Nicaraguan communities. We definitely appreciate you, and we appreciate your gifts. The impact of your support touches lives in astounding ways.

To this happy end, we should also, during this season, posture ourselves to Receive—to  be supported so that our giving can remain Joyful. Because though this time is generally giving-oriented and hectic, it also generously treats us with many ornaments of beauty and renewal: Our music changes; the stories we hear and tell become hopeful; we are greeted at doors with bells and appreciation; we involve our children in actively promoting compassion. Though it is sad when these gifts become too familiar or overtly showy, this season provides ample replenishment if we but Receive the innumerable pervasive expressions of generosity and good will.

Beautiful Network/Choir, please enjoy this arrangement (the louder the better!) that I’ll be singing with my church choir in an upcoming concert. In dissonant but triumphant chords it speaks of authentic joy for a struggling people…

Click here to listen to an arrangement of,

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

“O come thou Dayspring, come and cheer;
Our spirits by thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night;
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel!”

It speaks of God’s constant communion with us, and a promise of unity, contentment, and peace…

“Oh come Desire of Nations, bind;
in one, the hearts of all mankind.
Bid thou our sad divisions cease;
And be thy self our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel!”

Ahhhhh. Bring on the holidays! Give! Receive! Peace.

Click the link below for information about the church concert: http://www.ridgecrestbaptist.org/eventdetails.aspx?event_id=284

Times are Hard, Gifts are Blessed

Kate Murr

Times are hard. Maybe you’ve sat with your spouse late at night, as I have, willing numbers to arrange themselves in more favorable patterns.  Maybe your finances and all the ribbons attached to them remind you of a big heap of tangled, saggy balloons a few days after the big party. Maybe, like one of our partners, a Rainbow Network student sponsor since 2002, you have recently lost your home, declared bankruptcy, had a “rough time.”  I hope not.

But from this joyful job I have, of calling donors to say, “thank you,” and “we appreciate you,” and “your gift has brought hope to the people of Nicaragua,” I am learning that the Nicaraguans are not the only ones struggling financially. So too are some of the generous souls who make possible this ministry.

However, through this struggle so many are shining! The donor who lost her home, for example, told me, “We’re on the uphill climb. We’ve been able to tithe to our church. Soon we’ll be able to contribute outside our church, and the Rainbow Network is at the top of our list!” She went on to say, “God is faithful: All the time.”

There is such power in faith, such elegance in resting in the promise of bountiful love. I am truly humbled by the generosity of those who demonstrate this faithfulness in this difficult economic time. Truly God has blessed these gifts, as well as these dedicated givers.

Kate Murr, Rainbow Network Partner