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If you walk into my office, you’re greeted by an odd assortment of knick-knacks, college pennants, movie posters, vinyl records, and art made out of old oil drums. There’s also a coffee bar, and if Mr. Gutowsky was writing this, that’s what he’d focus on…but he’s not, so we won’t. The art pieces are made in Haiti by an artisan group called Papillon where they take steel oil drums and turn them into incredible works of art. Between my office and home, I probably have 15 of their pieces. Two more are currently in the mail en route to my house. I’m captivated by how they take something so mundane and turn it into something so beautiful. (There’s a sermon here, but that’s also not where we’re going with this…but we could!)

I found out about Papillon through my work with an organization called Feed My Starving Children. I serve on the Texas Council for FMSC, a group of dedicated and passionate people committed to ending world hunger. A disproportionate amount of the Henderson family finances go to FMSC, whether purchasing artisan pieces like those from Papillon, regular giving, gifts for the LP staff every Christmas, or the mini M&Ms I pass out to the high school students each October. I have coffee mugs at home that I leave out as decor and as a reminder of how blessed I am; these mugs are made (also from Papillon) out of Haitian clay…the same clay that poor families in Haiti will mix with salt, water, and oil to turn into a “cookie” so they can have something to feed their children. If that causes your breath to catch, welcome to the club. The mugs are a reminder of how people can turn despair into hope.

I don’t tell you these stories to guilt you into giving to Feed My Starving Children…although, the website is fmsc.org, items from Papillon and other artisans can be purchased at fmscmarketplace.org, and I’m more than happy to talk your ear off about it. I tell you these stories to inspire you: find something you care about, and get involved. In the book Mission Drift, the authors push us to take that even one step further and get our families involved. Declan has packed meals with me. Riley is finally old enough to pack with me, and the next opportunity, she’ll be right there. And I can’t wait to tell Connor all about it. Ultimately, it isn’t about the money (although they need the money, so again, the website is fmsc.org) but our family values. The authors put it this way: “it’s more than just…supporting causes; it’s modeling how decisions are made and what common values the family holds. It’s discipleship through the tool of generosity.” (120)

Scripture is clear, over and over again, that our actions will mirror our values. I encourage you to reflect that to your families and make a giving tradition part of your legacy…and if you’re stumped where to start, I know a place!

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Jason Henderson
Secondary Education Principal
Logos Preparatory Academy