The fine art of regifting.....Ahem! Nudging the establishment from a "Pair o' dimes" to a new paradigm.

Hello, Hello, Hello! 

What kind of ingrates regift wedding gifts? Read on & you’ll know “The rest of the story”, as Paul Harvey used to say! But first a story of me trying to be a comedian. Sorta relates to the theme.
​
I once gave a bunch of postage stamps as a wedding gift. I told the couple they should use them for sending thank you notes to “all the nice people who bought you gifts” & whatever else. “But don’t send me a thank you note because I’ll think that you didn’t appreciate the gift.” Lol! It's still laughed about 30 yrs later!

Yes. Writing a lot lately about my giving habits. It’s not about the amount, but strategic reallocation. What I used to put in the plate now gets parceled out in small amounts so that a few hurting people will realize that someone cares.

The sudden DOGE budget cuts have affected not only the funding of transgender operas in Columbia, but also NGO’s which have been a lifeline to millions, globally. A new Western paradigm of giving must come. Let’s face it…..Many Churches budget little more than a pair o’ dimes to where it’s most needed. (Get it? Pair o’ dimes?) HAH! Ok. Ok. Slight stretch. But not all that far from the truth. Check out this stats (Click on the hyperlink)

Why 99.99% of Missions Funds Are Not Going to the Unreached | Bethany Global University
​
A few weeks prior to our belated reception, a smarty-pants in our men’s Bible study semi-jokingly queried out of the blue…..”So whadd'ya want? A toaster?” Lol! Wow! Bingo!!!! We’d determined that we only wanted cash gifts because our idea was to “regift” them to someone…but we also wanted that known before people bought us……TOASTERS!!! Most importantly, we agreed to not initiate the awkward subject at all. Glad he asked!

“B”, introduced in the last blog, reported a couple of months ago that a soldier in his homeland had hit him in the mouth w/a metal pipe. Extensive dental care needs. The pain & swelling, still visible on his right cheek, caused him to speak slowly. The swelling obscured his molars but his front teeth looked normal. More importantly, there was also some root canal work needed. So, he got our “regift”. He’d texted x-rays & clinic estimates, so I believed him. I'd also recalled seeing painkillers in their apt. On July 6, he got a root canal for 2 teeth.....the approx amount of the regift! I called him on Whatsapp while he was in the dentist chair so I could translate a few things. 

He’s very grateful despite only receiving a portion of what he needs. From early on, they’ve understood that I can’t fix everything. I told him that he'd need to have the repairs done piecemeal or may even have to select the teeth he’d be most willing to part with….& that someday he could maybe get partial dentures or implants. We also prayed that God would meet the rest of his needs.........Hopefully, they’ll learn how to have faith in Jesus although still unbelievers. Pray w/me that B & his bro Z have unique stories of redemption. Besides, where there’s a shortage of funds, God brings Himself Glory by taking care of His own, right? (Matt. 17:24-27)

Thinking right now about this song by Rich Mullins: 

Some raise eyebrows & suspicion when refugees mention needs…..Yeah. It’s impossible to monitor this kid’s life. It’s even conceivable that he’s a world class swindler in some capacity. However, doubtful…..because he’s volunteered things which would minimize the effect of any fabricated story. Even if he were lying, these gifts are ultimately from & given back to God. (Psalm 24:1) Any dishonesty would be on him. Anyway, Church $ has been misappropriated since Judas helped himself to the money bag, (John 12:6) yet people still support the Church.

One of their roommates, (whom we’d also been teaching English) was arrested & put in detention. No passport. No papers of any kind. It grieved me because the correctional institutions in that country are particularly notorious for their cramped conditions. The authorities demanded $1450, which was WAY WAY more than I was ready to send. Although we prayed for him frequently, I’m ashamed to say that I assumed the worst. Because the authorities seize phones, I assumed that he’d contact us if & when he could. Must’ve been the Spirit nudging me a few days ago to text him anyway….just in case….to let him know that we were praying for him. 3-4 days later, he was released after 4 months! His family back in the “a country” had taken up a collection! The good news…he finally got a UNHCR card out of this. Pray that he doesn’t merely attribute this to the money & recognizes the role of prayer. And pray for his mental state. B says that he’s experiencing PTSD.

In tandem w/the anonymity of this site, here’s an anonymous shout out to a friend. He works as a house painter. Every penny he earns goes to support a Congolese mission helping widows whose husbands were killed in the Civil War. Interest-free micro-loans enable them to buy sewing machines at $150 each. The repayments are used to buy more machines. Pls contact me if you have any painting needs. I’ll connect you!


For strategic regifting, getting out of jail and the nations.....

Just another witness to His Glory! 
​