Radical Kindness

image from  http://thefilmstage.com/reviews/review-les-miserables/

The movie Les Miserables depicts how radical kindness can impact the lives of many. The Bishop's gesture to Jean Valjean made ripples of hope for others.

By God's grace, an act of unexpected generosity and selfless giving can change a person.

Who would have expected that Christ would suffer and die a shameful death? He gave of Himself, radically and unexpectedly, as a ransom for our sins. And so we are saved, as well as those to whom we evangelize.

Upon experiencing Christ fully, through people and through prayer, one cannot help but to also be Christ to others and see Christ in others. As Les Miserables' most famous line goes, "To love another person is to see the face of God."

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. (John 13:34)

When was the last time that we gave unexpectedly?  Are we ready to do an act of radical kindness?

No One is Too Poor to Help Build God's Kingdom

With Jacky Brainard (boy with flag) and Jane Brainard at the back

I was in Sierra Leone, West Africa for 17 days. I also did 4 days mission to Liberia in my first week. I just got back to the Philippines a few days back. It was a mission trip I will never forget.

It was my first time to go to the African Continent and my first African country is Sierra Leone. For many who are not familiar with Sierra Leone. It's 5 hours away (by plane) from Ghana. You may have seen the movie Blood Diamond of Leonardo De Caprio wherein Sierra Leone was the setting. As the movie suggests, it's famous for it's diamonds. The country suffered a civil war that just ended in 2002 of which has greatly affected it's economy and the people's living conditions.  You will see many International NGO's there aiding the development of the country.

CFC Freetown Community

I was just recently assigned to oversee the Couples For Christ community in Sierra Leone. In my visit, I met our brethren there who are full of enthusiasm, joy, and zeal to spread the mission.  Despite the many day to day struggles, specially financially. Our brothers and sisters in Freetown (Capital City), through their humble contributions  manage to meet for prayer assemblies and even do missions to open CFC in neighboring cities.  The communities in Bo and Kenema (other major cities) are also alive and willing to grow.  I am much inspired by how the Holy Spirit is touching their hearts and moving them to have passion for service and to strengthen families towards the Lord.

With Moses (left) and Solomon (right)

In our own lives, we also have financial struggles.  We have bills to pay and food to put on the table.  And sometimes we think that doing service for the Lord can be another burden of expense on our list.  But let us now go back to some basic truths. It's true that God owns everything, and we are stewards or caretakers of God's properties that we presently "own" on earth.  It's also true that as stewards, we are to help in building God's kingdom through the resources God has entrusted to us.  That's right... our clothes, the TV in our living rooms, our dining sets, and even our cars are the Lord's and He just let us borrow them. For what? For His purpose.  The sooner we realize this, the easier it will be for us to be generous in sharing our resources, giving alms, and tithing.

I continue to be inspired by the many people who have less, yet give.  No one is too poor to help build God's Kingdom.


He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12:41-44


God of heaven and earth, You own the whole universe. I thank you for the blessings that you bestow upon me everyday. May I grow in generosity daily so I can help in building Your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

A Perspective on Generosity

A perspective on generosity from my household head: "Generosity is about losing the fear that we will be in want."  The reason why people don't give is that they fear that they will not have enough.  Yet, the Psalmist exhorts us in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing i shall want." And further he says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters..."  Tithing leads us to lose this fear, for we know that God will take care of us.  I've heard of endless stories of people who tithe faithfully and have been blessed abundantly.

When we are generous, our love for money is lessened and our love for God is magnified.  Let us give even if it is difficult at first, and let us continue to give until the fear of uncertainty is gone.

Be a Champion for Chino!

Chino Nebrao, 10-month old son of our friends and household mates, Clark and Cynch, has severe mitral regurgitation with mild stenosis. In simple terms, he has a defective heart valve. The condition affects only 2% of the world’s population and survival rate is only 5%. To treat baby Chino's condition, a sum of Php 2 million or USD 45,000 is needed for the open heart surgery, medications, and other hospitalization expenses. We need 2,000 generous souls to give, at least, Php 1,000 (USD 20) each.

I don't know how many people in cyberspace this blog can reach, but I do pray for the Lord to touch the hearts of the readers to help baby Chino. Chino's parents, Clark and Cynch, are faithful servants of God. They have been going on many missions around the world and have made a great impact in bringing Christ to others specially to the people in Africa. I am moved by their great faith in God and posture of total surrender in the light of Chino's condition.

Let us pray for baby Chino's healing. Let us allow the Lord to use us by being Champions for Chino.

Please visit www.championsforchino.com for more details.