Someday, when I grow up, I want to be like Marc Tindall.
Sure, I know he's only human, a sinner saved by grace just like me. No, I haven't met him in person yet. I have little idea about his views on politics or where he "stands" on any number of doctrinal points. What I do know about him is that he has a heart for the poor that translates into action.
I want to be like that.
The picture here is of Marc with an 11-year-old boy named Oscar. Oscar goes with his mother to a dump in Honduras where they scavenge for recyclables and anything else of value to survive. It isn't an easy life and certainly they and everyone else there would rather do something else, but it's where they are in life right now.
Just a few days ago Oscar was hit by a machine in the dump. Taken to the hospital, they were told he'd lose his leg. The hospital found pins to use in surgery to save the leg, but not for the foot. From what I've read, Marc found the pins for the foot. Right now Oscar is waiting for his surgery. He's in pain and very frightened, but there's hope.
Someday I want to bring hope.
I know it isn't all glory and swooping in to save the day. Marc faces dangers of many kinds every day, along with the weariness of attending to other people's needs at all hours. He has flat tires, struggles with red tape to get needed supplies through customs and into the country and experiences setbacks in various ways. Yet in so many of his Facebook status updates he closes out with, "It's another great day in Honduras."
For a few years now I've been growing in my understanding of God's solidarity with the poor and marginalized. Now that I've seen it in Scripture, I can't ignore it. I started blogging about it, and then I came across this quote:
"So you say you love the poor? Name them." - Gustavo Gutierrez
What good is it if I only preach the truth but don't live it? Isn't faith without works dead?
The first step was taken recently when I headed to Jamaica with a HOPE worldwide team, but it can't end there. That had to be a beginning of something that with God's help will grow by multiple orders of magnitude in my life. It's going to require a change of heart, a new way of thinking, and sacrifice.
My life is a vapor. Before it dissipates and my name is forgotten by all but the One who really matters, I want it to count for His reign and glory.
Someday when I grow up...it's time to grow up.
See also:
Oscar - (Terri Tindall's blog)
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