Operation Barnabas

It is rather amazing the way that God works in the world! I was in Seward Nebraska attending the Nebraska District Convention when I met a former professor of mine from St. John’s College. (He is a former professor, not an old professor!  His name is Professor Mark Anschutz. As I shared my work with Operation Barnabas, he shared with me his work in Liturgical Arts, and working with students who very much want to use their talents in the service of God’s kingdom.

Lo and behold, he shared the bibelot (pronounced bee-bah-loh) project with me. Here is their description of the project:

The Bibelot Project

In a world of plastic, mass media and faux-everything we present to you an idea that is imbued with the hand of the maker, bibelot. Artisans from Panama City, Panama to Topeka, Kansas will take part in a movement (literally) of art. Through the creation of simple, beautiful objects, bibelots we will create an unassuming and quiet witness of God’s Grace.These small objects will be distributed first through LCMS congregations with only one rule attached - At the right time, and the right moment they must give this object away, to another, and tell their story of how they obtained it and its connection to their understanding of God the Creator.The piece then, will not exist as a monolithic form, rather it will be organic as it moves through time and spaces, telling stories as it grows.

Now as I understand it, our Chaplains are not allowed to give anything away in Afghanistan or Iraq that is overtly religious. No crosses or other christian artwork or jewelry. However, they can give away bibelots! I imagine it may happen like this:

A person receives a bibelot…chooses a particular one based on color or appearance. Something about the bibelot will draw the person to it.

The person, in their daily devotion prays that there will be a moment in a conversation where he or she is moved to give the bibelot away.

As the holder shares the bibelot with the receiver, there is some connection made with the bibelot. For example, some bibelots are shaped like a shell, with a spiral shape. They may remind the holder of eternity, and the fact that God is eternal, without beginning or end. And though we have a beginning, we will have no end, for we will live forever with Christ. The holder shares that thought with the receiver.

The holder then gives the bibelot to the receiver with but one request…when you hold it, or feel it in your pocket, recall our conversation. I have made a bond with you, and pray that bond would continue and grow as we live our lives in connection to one another, and to our God. Then you get another one, and it starts all over again…

I happen to think this project is way beyond cool. Because:

- It is made with human hands, by people who make these for an express purpose - to share the love of God.

- It is a golden opportunity. So often, sharing our faith is seen as difficult. This is an opportunity to share a gift that will hopefully lead to the greatest gift, faith in Christ.

- It is non-threatening. Bibelots are cool.

- These are a great gift for our chaplains to give out to local nationals, and perhaps our troops can give them out as well.

Please keep the bibelot project in your prayers. For more information, visit http://bibelot.squarespace.com/