meet the faulkners

Just finished reading Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds. Here are my observations:

The part that made me want to vomit: (I know, great way to start)

The story of Adanna. A 10-year-old who lost both parents to AIDS in Africa. She must take care of her younger siblings and on the brink of starvation she sells her body to local men for food.

The part that made me cry:

A missionary, Allen, in India said, “When it came time to leave, he (a little orphaned boy) gave me a big hug and looked at me intently and said, ‘Don’t forget me Allen Uncle. I am Suraj-john. Don’t forget me when you leave. I know your name. Your name is Allen Uncle. I love you, Allen Uncle. My name is Suraj-john.’” Seriously, still drying tears here.

The part that boggles my mind:

As of 2006 there were 2.2 million children with HIV. 28 million children die each year from CURABLE diseases. 17 million die from starvation/malnutrition. 10 million children are in the sex industry. 100 million children live on the streets. 200 million children are child laborers. Big numbers can be hard to grasp…here is some perspective…

The population of Houston, Tx is just over 2 million. The population of Texas is about 23.5 million. The population of America is just over 303 million.

The scripture that spanked me:

“Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” Matthew 9:12 Ouch.

The part that brings hope:

Chapter 10 on How to Bleed. As mentioned in a previous post, the 5 for 50 campaign was in this chapter. We put a link to this site on the sidebar. As well as many more ideas on how to help our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37) across the Atlantic. For example: Join a group like the One campaign, Go on a Mission Trip, Change your shopping habits and of course, Adopt a Child!!! It is awesome b/c Gladney is mentioned by name in this chapter.

And that is my review of this awesome book….