Hey you - I just spend a significant amount of time updating myself on your blog, and I thought that I'd respond to you this way, rather than on your blog (maybe give you a few things to think about? : ))).
So, Dave and I spent two years working with inner-city youth. Now, we didn't live in the city that we worked in, but honestly, we didn't feel callled to do so. We were building a foundation for our marriage, and our 8 hours of work a day was challenging enough on us (Dave threw up every single morning the first year we worked at Carol City...it was a rough year). Looking back, I wouldn't change what we did (as far as not living in the city). However, I'm with you on the whole "safe" thing. I never felt "unsafe" while I was there. Well...never might be the wrong word...rarely, and if so, really not signifcantly unsafe (regardless of our almost weekly lockdowns due to the fact that we had a Popeyes next store that was robbed constantly, and the stupid robbers would come onto our campus to seek shelter...guh, so annoying).
Jesus says that the "poor will always be with you" (obviously said in one of the Gospels...I'm going to go with Matthew just off the top of my head...could be wrong!). I hate this statement, but after spending two years working with the poor, I understand it. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything about it - that's not what I'm saying - it just means what it says...poverty will always exist on this earth...sad, but true.
It's my belief and convinction that we should help the poor. It's always been my belief and convinction that we all do that in different ways. Unlike you, I don't think that everyone should up and move into poor cities...I think that you need to be CALLED to do this. You made a statement about simply "throwing money" at the schools. I get that money isn't going to solve poverty; however, schools and other programs do need financial backing in order to suceed. What if someone's part in helping the poor is providing that financial backing and support? Is that somehow wrong and/or not as valuable? God is calling that person to use his/her resources (financial in this case) and calling someone else to use differnet resources (time, hospitality, ect.). What is your opinion about that? (BTW - I know that you're not being judgemental on your blog...I just wanted to throw some stuff out there for you to think about :)).
As far as the school systems go and sending my kiddos there...that is a tough one. I completely agree with you on the "selfish" argument (as in, of course I will care about where my kids go to school way more than some other school!). But again, I think that all families and all kids are different, and we all receive different "callings/challenges/burdens" (whatever you want to call i!) from God. This is obviously something that God has placed on your heart, and I LOVE that. Does it make it wrong...or does it make me less of a believer (wrong wording, but you get it)...if He hasn't placed it on my heart to live in inner-city Portland and send my kiddos to those schools (I know that's not what you're saying, it's just what I'm pondering!)?
At this point in our lives, Dave and I are planning on moving to the Westside of Portland and putting our kids in the best schools that we know of. Then I read your blog, and I'm going...dang, what in the world is she going to think of us?! : ) Are we doing something wrong because this is our desire? Our we listening to what God wants of us and our family? And then I go...but there are non-believers in the suburbs too!! Although these people aren't poor in a financial sense, there is still much "poverty" in the suburbs as well...it just comes in a different form.
All in all, I want to listen to what God wants of us and for us as a family. I want my kids to "shine like stars in the universe"...I want them to be lights. Sadly, there is darkness everywhere, so it's just a matter of "what" darkness Christ is calling us to live in.
Ok, those are my thoughts on your thoughts : ) Like you, I'm not judging...your blog just got me thinking and praying, so I thought that I'd type some of it out to you and see what your thoughts are. I greatly respect you, your opinion, and most importantly, your faith. You are one amazing woman my dear.
Love you -
Cindy<><
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