Jesus and insulin

For the past two years, my passion (where diabetes is concerned) has been outreach. I have gained so much from others living with type 1 diabetes, and I wanted to provide the same for others. I participated as a trained mentor with JDRF. I was co-chair of Hot Shots, a local outreach and advocacy group and I blogged relentlessly. After everything I have gained from friends in both my local community and my online community, I wanted to share that with others — to give them the same support and hope that was provided to me.

But, as with so many all other facets of my life these days, the Lord has put something different on my heart — people in need.

Many moons ago, I saw the video posted below. It broke my heart then, and it continues to break my heart every single time I watch it. Take a few minutes and watch for yourself. You see, I have a butter compartment full of insulin. To think of someone dying simply because they don’t have access to it brings me to my knees. It sucks the breath out of my lungs and leaves me in tears. Diabetes as a death sentence. Breath that in for a moment.

Even for the families featured in the video, diabetes is a tremendous burden. Selling everything to save your child? My parents didn’t have to do that. Walking 4-6 hours to catch a bus to the doctor? I never had to do that. Leaving school to go home and dig my insulin out of the dirt? Mine was in a bag with an ice pack under my teacher’s desk.

This video and its reality puts my life in perspective and helps me truly appreciate the things I have. Even when I was uninsured after college, I still had every basic healthcare need met. I had supplies, I had insulin and I could get to the doctor within minutes. These precious families are not so fortunate. They struggle to survive, and diabetes increases that struggle exponentially. And this video only shows a tiny fraction of the real need throughout the world.

It is my hope, dream and prayer to make a difference with my diabetes. It is my same hope, dream and prayer to make a difference by sharing Christ with others. If I could do anything in the entire world, I’d follow the path Life for a Child has laid ahead of me, but do it while sharing the love of God. (Life for a Child is not a religious organization. It falls under the International Diabetes Federation). To put it simply, I want to share with the world — Jesus and insulin.

As I travel this fall, I’m praying the Lord opens doors where I can use my diabetes to help others, where my capabilities and resources can be used to make a difference. To save a life. To lift a burden. To ease the pain. My current trip planned for this fall has nothing to do with diabetes, but providing insulin and supplies to those in need is a hope of mine. If there is a need where I’m going, I’m praying to see it clearly and know how to help. As friends, I ask you to join me in praying for this pathway.

Please take 10 minutes and watch this video. It will change your heart.