Being a Compassionate Giver

Wild berry scones, a kitchen table and a delightfully rambunctious three year old were all a vital part of the planning meeting for our Christmas Connections event that will take place at Morning Star Ranch this December. As moms, we have to get creative when it comes to our planning meetings, which sometimes include a baby and a preschooler. My planning partners, Monica and Christina, and I have been helping plan an event for the families of the TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) students in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Monica’s husband is one of the students in the prison. Christina’s husband is a former inmate. Both men are strong spiritual leaders who are discipling men and expanding God’s Kingdom. And their wives share their passion for ministry.

Through the planning of this event, these women have given me a different perspective on what it means to be a compassionate giver. Sometimes we give out of our limited knowledge on what we think the recipient needs. Part of this Christmas event will be giving a basket of goodies to each family who attends. Initially, I had thought of filling the baskets with needed food items. That’s what we typically do during the holidays – give out food to low-income families. However, when I asked Monica and Christina what should go in the baskets, they had some different ideas. They know what it feels like to have your significant other in prison. They know what will encourage single mothers struggling to get by.

Scented shower gel. Lotions. Flavored coffee. Nice shaving razors. Chocolate. These are the little luxuries that these women deny themselves so they can feed and clothe their families. Every week, I toss items like these in my shopping cart because they represent necessities for me (I am not giving up my daily cup of coffee!). However, if you are struggling to make ends meet, you forgo shower gel and coffee and buy ground beef.

Monica and Christina provided me a window into the lives of these dear women. Once I could look in this window, I understood how we could best serve them with our giving.

So many times we give without considering the unique needs of the recipient. Sometimes our wanting to help can overshadow our need to do a little “research” in how to truly bless the recipient. This is why I love the ministry of World Impact. We are committed to serving the community through acts of kindness and compassion, but we do it with the help of indigenous leaders – leaders who know the community and inform us on how best to help.

After 11 years of being a missionary, I continue to learn new lessons in ministry and I am thankful for my teachers.

 

Read more blogs from Tina Busenitz.