One Child Matters

An Island of Contrast

2011-01-11T12:39:00.001-07:00

For the past week I have spent time on the island of Hispaniola, home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The contrast could not be greater.

It was one year ago that an earthquake devastated Haiti, and the country is a long way from recovery. I wasn't sure what to expect. It has been almost 10 years since my last visit to Haiti. I was in Haiti twice over a period of less than a year. At that time I spent most of my time in the Port au Prince, the region that was most greatly devastated. This time, I was going to be up north near Cap Haitien and near the DR border.

Crossing into Haiti from the DR is an experience. Crowds jam the Haiti border, and you have to make sure you secure everything you are carrying. We traveled in a beat up van with a shattered window - but still had to pay 50% more per day for transportation then we did in DR.

Driving into Cap Haitien brought back memories of my earlier trips to Port au Prince. People everywhere. Garbage piled on the streets. Filthy standing water, and sewage running in open drains right next to food vendors. Buildings in shambles - and this area was not impacted by the earthquake. It's almost too much to process.

Thankfully, there are beacons of hope in Haiti. We accompanied the Medical Mercy team to two different projects. It was wonderful to see the smiling faces of the children. According to Dr. Beyda, director of Medical Mercy, had a very positive report. Other Medical Mercy teams had been here, and the projects had been given supplies and training to combat cholera. Dr. Beyda was very pleased that they saw far fewer children facing malnutrition than was expected, and the cholera training has made a difference. Over the past year, Mission of Mercy has sent tens of thousands of dollars worth of aid - food, medicine, clothing, water purification, etc. The churches we work with have been very successful in directing that aid to people who need it - and their lives have improved.

We stayed a couple nights in Cap Haitien overlooking the ocean. At first glance, it looks beautiful. When you look closer, the beaches are filled with plastic bottles and trash. While other Latin American countries have benefitted from tourism, it's not likely to happen here for many years.

There is so much left to do in Haiti. It can be discouraging, but we must look at the impact we are making in communities where we work, and be willing to invest in the long term. We have been here for years - and we will be working in Haiti for years to come.

The Dominican Republic is not a prosperous country, but crossing back into the DR was like stepping into paradise compared to to Haiti. A sports agent and a former pro baseball player were with me, and our focus in DR was a project that has been built in a poor community. It includes a baseball field, volleyball/basketball court and a wonderful building with classrooms and a kitchen. Completed just over a year ago, you can already see signs of how this project is beginning to transform this once forgotten community. Members of the community participate in maintenance, and it is becoming a center of activity for the community.

We spent a day there, playing baseball, soccer and basketball with the kids. We started the morning with a worship service, enjoyed the activities, then concluded with a lunch of chicken, rice and beans that was prepared by women from the church. What an awesome day it was.

Every time I travel I am both encouraged and challenged. I an encouraged to see the change that is happening in the lives of children. I am challenged to do more. At one point on Saturday, I had a young boy that I sat with and held. For the next 45 minutes or so, as I walked around, he was attached to me at the hip. It was hard to say goodbye to him, but he is a reminder to me that One Child Matters.

A Legacy of Ministry

2010-10-23T16:36:00.000-06:00

Today there was a service at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge to celebrate the life of Dave Ohlerking. Dave was the founder of Children's Cup. Mission of Mercy partners with Children's Cup in Swaziland and Mozambique to change the lives of children.

The first time I met Dave, I was struck by his grace, kindness and wisdom. Dave had traveled to over 100 countries on 6 continents and had been in many "Hard Places" in his life. He has impacted thousands of lives during his years of ministry. Yet he listened and showed respect to everyone he spoke to. I had only been in my position for a few months, but he treated me like a seasoned veteran of international ministry. He won my love and respect from our very first meeting. Today, I know he is dancing with joy in the presence of the Lord.

There are often questions after the head of a ministry passes. In this case, with his wife Jean, and his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Ben, to carry the torch, I know Children's Cup will grow in size and impact. In fact, I jotted down some words that came to me while watching a video of his life:
"The legacy of a life well-lived and a work well-started,
Is the growth that God gives when the man has departed."

My life was richer for having Dave in it, even for a few short years.

Dave Ohlerking

1940-2010

Back Home Again

2010-08-23T19:58:00.000-06:00

After 36 hours in transit, Dee and I got home yesterday. There is always a time of processing after a trip like this. I find myself missing the team already. I look at everything we have and wonder if it is too much? I think about Sophie and Zehtu, wondering how they are doing.

I have to be careful. I cautioned our team about overreacting to our culture of "stuff." We talked about the differences between "wants" and "needs." For most of us in the US, we have what we need, and much of what we want. In Swaziland, many are struggling with just meeting basic needs. Food, clothing, shelter, medical attention and education are available for most of us here, but not there.

We need to do more. I think most of our Swazi team would agree with that. In fact, if the Mission Trip doesn't motivate us to do more to help those in need, then the trip will have been pointless.

I guess you can tell how my processing is going! I know I'm not alone in arriving back home tired and thoughtful. I find myself wishing that the team could all be together again to discuss our thoughts and feelings together. It's amazing how much you can bond with people in 10 days, especially when those days are full of activities. What a great group of people! They made the trip even more special.

I'll keep processing. It's not a 24 hour thing. In the meantime, I thought I'd finish up this Swaziland blog with a few random photos. Everything from popping jiffy pop to painting a wall inside the Mercy Center. Of course, no Africa trip would be complete without seeing a lion!

PS. Swazi team members - you have an open invitation to dinner at our place anytime!! Drop by soon!

Saying Goodbye

2010-08-20T16:21:00.000-06:00

It's almost midnight on our last night in Swaziland. We had our last time of sharing as a group. It was a long meeting, especially considering that we have all been up since 5 a.m. I've met a lot of new friends. This was an awesome team. However, we've not said our final goodbyes yet. We have a 4-5 hour bus trip to Johannesburg, and then 18 hours together on an airplane.

The more difficult goodbyes today took place at the Mercy Centers. After being with the kids all week, there were a lot of connections that were made. Sponsors got to know their sponsor children, but they all would have liked more time. Most will never see these children again in their lifetimes. Many wonder who is going to be there to hold and hug the children next week. Dee and I are fortunate. Leading trips like this, we are able to visit our sponsored children from time to time. So our goodbyes to Sophie and Zehtu were less emotional because we know we will see them again down the road.

I know that both the sponsor and the child will value the letters that are written more highly. They have that personal connection. One team member asked me if our coming - and leaving - did more harm than good? I tried to convince her that we all have had times in our lives that people crossed our paths and by word or deed, did something that made a lasting impact.

The value of a mission trip is not what we built; it's not the activities or crafts that we did with the children. The value to the child is showing them that they do have value - that we cared enough to come hold them, laugh with them, dance with them and look into their eyes with love and respect. But, perhaps the greatest value to the children is the change that happens on the team. These team members will be more engaged. They will write and encourage the child, and they will help friends, family and church members to step up and lend a hand. It doesn't stop the tears from flowing when we say goodbye. But it does give the trip greater meaning and purpose.

Even after traveling as much as I do, I never come back quite the same. I return more passionate to tell the story and get others involved. I think that will happen with other team members as well. The need is overwhelming, but it all boils down to helping make a difference for one child. That's something we can all do. One Child Matters!

What to do?

2010-08-18T14:51:00.000-06:00

One of the frustrating things about serving with a Mission Team is that there is always so much more that you could do - if you just had the resources. I spent time today with Ben Rodgers, Director of Children's Cup, Swaziland, our partner ministry. He gave me a tour of their dream center, which will be used to house and train Swazi young people, along with US young people, for the work of ministry. From there we went to a location where they have been feeding over 100 children a day, and a location for a new Mercy Center when the resources allow.

Yesterday I posted about the need for a generational, long-term view of ministry here. When you see it, you're amazed by the work that is being done, and you feel compelled to give to help meet the need. But, how do you convince others that have not seen, heard, smelled and touched what you have experienced? Well, I suppose you could write a blog, or post on Facebook, but nothing can match the experience and what it does in your heart.

I know that many on our team are going to try to describe their feelings about this trip to people who really don't want to listen. Because if they listen closely and hear the heart of the person telling them their story, they'll have to respond. There will certainly be frustration and disappointment.

I have no clue what the answer is to get more people involved. Sponsoring a child helps a lot, and it's just $34 a month. I guess what we have to do is to keep telling our story. Some will listen. Some will respond. And that's a good thing.

Here are pictures of activities at the project where Dee's crew was working. They built an outdoor cookstove, gave blankets to the children, horsed around a little bit, and loved on children.

Tomorrow we head off for a little taste of African wildlife at a game park. We'll stay overnight, enjoy a morning game drive, then come back for a final VBS on Friday afternoon. So many of our team sponsor children at the projects they have been working at. Saying goodbye to the kids will be a long, tearful process. That's the hardest part of going back home. I know, though, that some will come back again!

Generations

2010-08-17T13:57:00.000-06:00

Last night was a "Sleepless in Swaziland" night. I gave a lot of thought about what I shared in our first night devotional based on three Old Testament verses where God promises to bless those who honor Him to a thousand generations. That night, I had asked how many people there were first generation believers - those that had made a decision to follow Christ even though their parents were not believers. Of the 43 people in the room, only 4 had stood up. It proves what a powerful influence Christian parents have on their children.

In a country like Swaziland, there is very little generational Christian influence. That tells me that we need to focus efforts on the youth of this country to help turn the tide, especially in the area of morality. It is estimated that up to 42% of the population is HIV positive. In order to change a nation, you have to raise up a generation of believers. They will then have a tremendous influence on future generations. There is no magic overnight solution. All the AIDs education in the world will not heal this country. They all know that, with men taking multiple partners, there is the risk of AIDs. For the most part, the current adult generation just has no moral framework with which to work in. We have to be in this for the long haul, and as "instant" Americans, we're not used to the solution being a generation away.

This morning, Sue, one of our team members, handed me a Scripture that she felt the Lord had giver her. Psalms 71:17-18: "O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." Don't you love it when you get a confirming word?

It was a warm, dusty day at the Mercy Centers today. We split into three teams to do a little work, and a lot of interaction with the kids. Lots of laughter, and lots of tears. Painting a swing set to bowling with sand-filled plastic bottles as the pins. And of course, cherishing our time with the kids. Here are a few pictures of the day at our location.

OK, now off to a good night's rest - I hope. Of course, I have to remind myself that we didn't come here for rest and relaxation.

Meeting our Sponsored children

2010-08-16T16:08:00.000-06:00

What an incredible day! After a community walk, we went to a local park for a picnic with our sponsored children. Dee and I got to spend time with Sophie and Zehtu. About two dozen sponsored children got to spend the afternoon with their sponsor. We had KFC for lunch, played some organized games, then got some time to just bond with the kids. Some kicked balls, some played a card game, others just enjoyed communicating. It is always amazing to me how much you can communicate even without a translator.

We have an amazing team. Before the end of the week,some will strike up relationships that will last a lifetime.

We've already seen people helping each other and praying together. Before dinner tonight the team brought the crafts, school supplies, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soccer balls and beach balls to a room to organize activities for the rest of the week. As they piled the items they brought onto the tables, I was totally blow away - how did we get that much stuff here?

After dinner together, Dee led our devotion time. She had a couple from a local church lead worship, and interspersed worship with sharing. Almost everyone shared their high point and low point so far on the trip. Tears flowed amidst laughter and joy. We're still early in the trip with most of the work days and VBS activities yet to come. But you can already see how God is at work in our lives.

While we are here, WGTS in Washington, DC, is conducting a sponsorship drive. When they arrived at the station, they found that there whole phone system was down. Please pray for this event. 400 children in Swaziland need a sponsor.

We have been on the move since we arrived. It's been three years since we have led a mission team and I forgot what it was like to get 40 people, plus staff, on to two buses and try to keep a schedule. We'll all getting the "count off" system down! Thank goodness the team has a sense of humor.

So much has happened already. I can't wait to see how the rest of the week unfolds.

Back to Swaziland

2010-08-04T11:25:00.001-06:00

Three years ago, I led my last mission trip as "the radio guy." That trip to Swaziland was very special. We hosted a group of WCLN, Fayetteville, NC, listeners, but my entire family went along.

Now, my kids are having kids and it will be many years before we can do something like that again.

Donald and Diane Page, who were on that mission trip in 2007, are now serving there and will be two of our hosts. We'll also see two special ladies, Sophie (our nickname for her), 12, and Zehtu, 7, our sponsor children.

Though we have been back to Swaziland a few times, that 2007 trip will always hold a special place in our memories. Within a couple weeks after we returned I was appointed to the position I now serve in as President of Mission of Mercy. This group of 40 people are mainly coming through the efforts of WGTS in Washington, DC. This will be the first large mission team we have led in three years.

While we are in Swaziland, we will be calling in reports and WGTS will be encouraging listeners to sponsor children. So, I'm guessing the radio background will come in handy on this trip! We have over 400 children in Swaziland that need sponsors, so we're praying for a strong response.

We're looking forward to making new friends on the team, seeing some old friends on the team and in Swaziland, and we're excited to see how the Lord moves in all of us during this trip.

Watch out Swaziland, here we come!

PS. It's been awhile since I posted. Maintaining an active blog is more tine consuming than I thought and it seems like every time I sit down to write, something else pops up. Internet connection permitting, I'll post a couple reports from Swaziland.

Every Time

2010-05-18T20:09:00.000-06:00

No matter how many times I see it, it is always sobering. “It” is
walking in the midst of abject poverty. Earlier this year, I visited three of our projects in Delhi, India. This past week, I just returned from visiting those same projects again. I was prepared this time for what I was going to see – I had already seen it. But, it still hits you in the gut. The smell, the garbage, the tiny lean-tos that many call home.

I read an article that stated that 52% of the population of the Delhi region – estimated at over 17 million people – live in the slums.

Over 2,000 people per week move into the area, hoping to find factory work. Some are lucky enough to pick up low paid day labor jobs. Many have to find other alternatives. The area we visited is the ragpicker area. People from the slums head out early in the morning to pick up garbage. They bring the garbage back and sort through it to find recyclables and other things to sell. Children are a necessary part of the economy. A child picking through garbage can earn $1 a day or more. That’s why many families struggle to send their kids to school – they lose income. But, unless we educate the children, they are destined to follow in their parents’ footsteps in poverty.

This trip had some special highlights. One of the couples that joined us sponsors 97 children in one project.

What an awesome thing it was for them to meet all of those children at the church, where the kids put on a special program for their sponsor. Then there was time afterward for the sponsors to give each child a gift. From there we headed out to see where the children lived. That’s when the impact hits you. We were walking in slums and went to the school where many of these children attended. This particular school has the only bathroom facilities in the slum.

I also had the chance to meet the young girl that my daughter Emily sponsors through her business. Her mom was there, and we met her sister, as well. Her sister was one of the 97 children that was sponsored by our companions.

We also spent time with the Medical Mercy team. It is always a joy to watch them in action. They saw hundreds of children throughout the week. They also took information on each child that will allow them to study the needs of the children. Many from the slums appear to be undernourished, so Dr. Beyda, the director, will devise a plan of action for our projects. Several days their plans were changed because the kids just kept coming. They would plan to leave by 3 or 4 pm, but end up examining the children until 6 p.m.

Oh, did I mention the heat? Oppressive, which made our trip into the slums even more emotional. We got to go back to our air-conditioned hotel, but these families live in this oppressive heat daily. One day it was 107 degrees with over 85% humidity. Since it snowed in Colorado Springs the day before we left, this was like walking from the freezer into the oven!

I can’t help wondering which one of these kids would end up being a great teacher or a pastor. I’m sure there were nurses there, as well. God only knows what His plan is for each of them. But I know that each child has value and is worth the effort. For those of you who sponsor a child – thank you! For those of you who don’t – why not start now. Just go to www.missionofmercy.org and find a life to invest in. Remember, One Child Matters.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Why do we do it?

2010-03-29T15:52:00.000-06:00

Last week, the entire staff in our building in Colorado Springs had the opportunity to hear Dareth Ly's story. Dareth was 7 years old in the late 70's when Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia. The Khmer systematically "cleansed" the population - a genocide that claimed the lives of 2-1/2 million people - a third of the entire population. The cities were emptied and many were sent to labor camps. Dareth was separated from his family and was sent to a children's labor camp. He experienced horrific torture and he was forced to watch as other children were brutally murdered in front of everyone. Of the more than 1,000 children assigned to the camp, less than 50 survived.

Dareth was able to escape and joined a group of 100 people that journeyed for over two weeks by night to make it to safety on the Thailand border. Land mines claimed many lives, and only 25 of his group made it through the trek alive. The mood in our meeting was so quiet and somber that you could hear a pin drop.

Despite the mass genocide, no one has been prosecuted for the murders. Only four people are now in the process of standing trial. Many top government officials were members of the Khmer Rouge and have no desire for justice. These are the oppressive conditions that the people of Cambodia still face.

When Dareth made it to safety at 11 years old, he was sent to Minnesota as part of a refugee program. The family that took him in were believers and he came to a personal understanding of God's love for him. Despite never wanting to go back, he answered the call, and has been ministering in Cambodia since 1996. Dareth believes that in order to change Cambodia, you have to start with the children. He is involved in the work we support through Mission of Mercy. Almost 3,000 children in Cambodia participate in our program.

A couple years ago, Dee and I had the opportunity to travel to Cambodia. We saw first-hand the reserve of the Cambodian people. No wonder, the people who perpetrated this atrocity are still running the country. The country of Cambodia is beautiful. One of the projects we got to see was the Floating School near Siem Reap. There are villages on a vast lake. They eke out a living by fishing, which is becoming more difficult each year. There is no electricity, no clean water, no medical facilities and no educational opportunities. Several years ago, Dareth's ministry built a school on the lake. It is an amazing journey to get there. At certain times of the year, with the rise and fall of the water levels, the village needs to move. So, the school moves first, gets anchored and set up, and then the rest of the village follows. Kids come to school on little boats. It is an amazing thing to see.

Operating a sponsorship program is very complex. There is a need to link the child to a sponsor; to process correspondence; to hold the project accountable and to keep the sponsor informed. When I stepped into my position here, I had no idea of all the complications and complexities. We have over 40,000 children in 19 different countries. Each program is different and each culture unique. Frankly, it can be frustrating and overwhelming at times. We have a great staff, but, at the end of the day, they can still see the pile of work that will face them the next day.

So, when someone like Dareth comes into our lives and shares his story and his passion for the kids, it rejuvenates us. It reminds us that this ministry is not about our workload. It's about the children. Knowing that we are supporting people like Dareth gives us great encouragement. That's why we do what we do!

Asia Trip - Final Thoughts

2010-02-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

It's been just over a week since I returned home. I got home on a Sunday evening and had a hectic work week starting the next day. I'm just now catching up from jet lag. My thoughts, however, are still on Asia.

The morning I left Nepal, I had a special treat. Back in the mid-90's, KSLT, our radio station in South Dakota, began fundraising for our "Angel of Nepal." She was an American lady who had a passion for children. She started taking them into her home in Kathmandu, until she outgrew one house and had to move to another. Every year from the Hills Alive Summer Music Festival stage, I'd talk about her ministry to orphans, and for several years, we were her sole source of support.

On our way to the airport, we stopped by the school she helps oversee. As I talked to her, several people joined us. They were all children from the orphanage. Eight of them were teaching in the school, and several others had influential positions. She said as they gathered, "these are the children you supported." What a way to end my time in Nepal! It was a huge reminder that investing in lives of children results in tremendous ministry as children become adults.

From Nepal, I went to Thailand - all over Thailand! I visited projects in the north within a rock's throw of Myanmar (Burma). I visited projects in the south within sight of Malaysia. It was almost too much, too fast. After the heavy pollution of Kathmandu, and walking in the slums of Delhi, the rural areas of Thailand seemed like paradise. There was very little trash on the road sides, and the air was clean and clear. These trips are wonderful to get a perspective of the ministry the Mission of Mercy supports, but they fall short on the side of getting to experience the sights and sounds of an area. However, I never get tired of seeing children with hope in their eyes. God has created each of these children with a unique personality and a special plan and purpose.

As I get back into the pace of life back in the US, I am reminded again of why we do what we do. We are simply a participant in the plan of God for these kids. They have value and they deserve our support. In my brief time back home, I've already taken a quick trip to Canada to meet with the Director of Mission of Mercy - Canada. We are talking about ways to work together to increase the impact of our ministries. No individual or organization can do it all. We each do what we can, where we can. And ultimately, the difference is made in the life of one child. That's why I love our new slogan, "One Child Matters."

I'll be thinking about this trip for a long time. Each country, each culture is so different. People ask me, "After all your travels, what is your favorite country?" My answer is always, "it's the last place I have visited." And so the story continues....

Quit 'yer... complaining!

2010-02-02T04:32:00.001-07:00

It is easy to get weary just driving to meetings. The driving is nerve-wracking and takes longer than the meetings themselves. It is nearly impossible to keep on schedule and the days go much longer than planned.

We took a one hour flight yesterday from Delhi, India, to Kathmandu, Nepal. The flight left over an hour late, and circled for more than two additional hours for fog to clear at Kathmandu. So, our 9:30am arrival was closer to 1pm. Then, we passed a Maoist demonstration that was blocking traffic on half the road, so it took forever to reach our hotel. Late again. There were seven pastors and leaders of our projects that were waiting for us for several hours. We finally made it around 3:30. It was a great meeting and I spent a lot of time answering questions and finding out how the ministries functioned here. As it got dark, the electricity went out at the church we were meeting. No one bat an eye. We continued to meet until dark. After the meeting, I asked about the power situation and was told, “we only have 11 hours of electricity a day.” They can’t afford a generator and diesel fuel, so they function with lanterns if they meet at night. (As I write this, the power just went out in the hotel – thank goodness for long battery life on this netbook computer.) Then it was another long, interminable, ride back home.

Our regional director, Satya, and I felt like we needed to stretch our legs after the long plane ride and car rides. We walked through a market section of the city where every other store was a “Trekking” store. Young Americans and Europeans are in abundance. North Face clothing and other brands are made here in Nepal and nearby China, so it’s very cheap. Yeah, I bought some jackets for Dee and me and a couple other friends. What would have cost well over $100 back home cost $25 here. By the time we got back to the hotel around 10 pm we were exhausted. We got up at 4 am yesterday morning to catch the early flight.

The headline in the newspaper this morning was how traffic was becoming unmanageable in Kathmandu. Buses spew plumes of smoke into the air, and it catches in your throat – I’ve been coughing a bit. I’ve never seen so many people wearing masks over their face and mouth. They come in all colors and designs – face masks are a fashion statement here.

Today we met at three different locations with pastors and project leaders. If I had any hair, I would be pulling it out. We passed another group just starting a demonstration march, but thankfully we got ahead of them before they blocked traffic. It is a way of life here, so I’m sure people don’t face the level of frustration that I have. On top of that, it’s cold in the evening and the hotel room has no heat, so it was difficult to sleep last night.

I’m sad that my travel to Nepal won’t allow me to leave the city. I hope to get back here – I’m told the countryside is incredibly beautiful. Tomorrow morning, we attend a school chapel service, visit an orphanage and then run to the airport to catch a flight to Thailand.

I know I’m complaining a lot. This is the way of life here in Nepal, as well as so many other areas of the world. The cities are run down. Slum areas pop up everywhere. Beggars approach us on the street. And the traffic is maddening.

This is where Mission of Mercy works. This is what we do. And that is something that I am proud of!

Delhi - Day Two

2010-01-29T06:36:00.001-07:00

I have talked with people who really resist sponsoring a child from India. After all, we have shifted jobs away from the US and sent them to India. We hear about India’s new prosperity. Yet, for those who observe India, that prosperity has hit a relatively small percentage of the population. Most Americans saw the level of that poverty in the movie “Slum Dog Millionaire.” Over 750 million people in India live in poverty.

We experienced the slums of the Delhi area again today. In the first half of our day, we visited Life Centre Academy. This school has taken kids from extremely difficult positions and is working to give these children a break. They are helping with special needs children, as well as older children that have never had the opportunity for an education.

We met Christina, a 12 year old girl sitting in a classroom with much younger children. Christina lives with her sister’s family. They have a couple smaller children and her sister’s husband would often talk about getting rid of her. She started in school a short time ago, but in her second year, the family would not buy books, so Christina stopped coming. A few weeks later, she came to the principal in tears, greatly desiring to come back to school. The school has welcomed her back and is providing books and a uniform. We can only pray that she can continue and that the family will not force her to work to bring in money.

From there we went to another part of the city where the project reaches out to slum kids in a major way. We walked through some of the worst conditions I have seen, and visited the kids in the slum where they live. As you are assaulted by the smells and the stench of the area, you wonder how it is that we could allow people to live in such conditions. Bags of garbage piled high, and people sorting through it to get any recyclables. This reminded me of the garbage city in Cairo where we also have a project. We were invited in to one child’s home. A small room with a bed is the extent of the home. The home is a shanty comprised of tin, wood and canvas. It looks like a strong wind would blow it over.

The world’s attention is being drawn to this kind of poverty in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Do you throw up your hands in exasperation and admit that the problem is just too big? I hope not. I hope each of us will do what we can to help – whether it is in Africa, Haiti, or India. That’s why I love what we do at Mission of Mercy. We give hope to children, one at a time. And I stand in awe at the quality of the partners we work with. They truly have a passion for children, and are providing great opportunities with very little resources.

I am still processing what I saw today, but I am deeply moved and challenged by the work that my brothers and sisters in the Lord are doing here in Delhi.

Delhi - Day One

2010-01-28T08:21:00.001-07:00

It’s a feeling you never get used to. The feeling in your gut that hurts for the people you see living in extreme conditions.

Today we spent the day just south of Delhi in Faridabad. Rev. Ivan Powar has an amazing work here. From an initial gathering of a half dozen people, he has grown to over 2,000 people that attend their church in 10 different locations. At the main church, he has a day care, orphanage and Bible College. He has a creative staff that is reaching out to the community and has an energetic outreach to young people.

The city has a lot of factories, and has been ringed by a number of slums. We visited one of those slums and saw the school that has been built. It has the only toilet facilities in the whole slum. As we drove into the area, we were struck immediately by the smell. Some of the women collect the dung from cows, dry it out, and use it as fuel. Amidst the trash and filth, children play in worn out clothes and without shoes. The school was built despite opposition for dump yard gangs and Hindu fundamentalists. They’ve stayed the course even after those groups have damaged the school property. On top of that, they have a small church gathering that is pastured by a woman trained in the Bible school. This is almost unheard of in India. Inside the school, a couple hundred students awaited us, standing in greeting, then sitting quietly as we walked through the facilities.

One of the highlights of my day was meeting six-year-old Shabnam Ali. My daughter Emily has a yoga studio in Laramie, WY. Through her business, she sponsors Shabnam. I discovered the Emily’s sponsored child was in this project just a couple weeks before I came. It was a delight to meet Shabnam, as well as her mother and grandmother. They live in a leprosy area, and the residents are isolated by the community. The fact that Shabnam is able to attend school is a blessing to her family.

Driving in India is always a challenge. But the roads of Delhi are jammed with traffic. I sat in the front seat today, and most of the time, wished I hadn’t! There is just a mass of humanity here. You go by areas with clean, middle to upper class apartment buildings. On the next block, buildings are in shambles. The smog penetrates your eyes and you lungs. It is hard to understand how people live with this every day.

Mission of Mercy sponsored projects in Faridabad reach over 600 children. While that creates a tremendous impact on those families, there is much more that we can do here. We need more sponsors to step up to the plate and help. In the meantime, we continue to reach out to those that we can, because One Child Matters.

India - Kolkata and Bonnie

2010-01-26T03:55:00.001-07:00

Dee and I met Bonnie for the first time seven years ago. Bonnie is our sponsored child in India. She was eight years old the first time we met. Two years ago, on another trip to Kolkata, Bonnie and her family were our guests at a banquet. On Saturday, I got to spend time again with Bonnie and her mother.

Bonnie is now 15 years old and is maturing into a fine young lady. She will enter high school in a few months. It is apparent that without our assistance, she would not be able to attend school. As it is, her family still needs to sacrifice to provide those costs that sponsorship does not take care of. It is a difficult struggle for her family.

I saw Bonnie in a different light this time. She is no longer the little girl that we sponsor. She communicates clearly and I was impressed with her poise and confidence. She wants to be a doctor someday, but she will need to study hard and to catch a break here and there for that to happen. Bonnie and her family have become an extended family for Dee and me, and we want to support and encourage her growth. If she is able to succeed, her entire family will benefit.

Even as I think about Bonnie, I find myself wondering how many times this scenario is being played out around the world for other children who are sponsored. They are being given hope, and they can dream of a future that is better than their current reality. But, I see that there is more that we need to do. Driving through the streets of Kolkata, it is apparent that for many there is a daily struggle just to survive today. Tomorrow the struggle will be just as difficult.

I know that there are many children that we serve that will not break out of the cycle of poverty their family has been locked into. A child in India, or Kenya, or Honduras still has to have a desire to succeed and they have to work hard. But, if we help, at least they have a fighting chance to get ahead. Bonnie has a chance to dream big, and with determination, she has the opportunity to achieve a level of education and opportunity that no one in her family has ever experienced. That’s certainly worth the price of a few cappuccinos a month.

On the Road Again!

2010-01-21T07:57:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting in the Denver Airport waiting to board my flight. I'm heading to Kolkata (Calcutta) via Seattle, Tokyo and Bangkok. A trip of about 36 hours. I used to love to fly, but now I find it more difficult. Planes are jammed with people, legroom has disappeared, and I'm leaving someone very special at home.

I will be spending time at a Founder's Day celebration in Kolkata, the birthplace of Mission of Mercy. This is strictly a suit and tie affair. It will be nice, though, to spend time in the Mission of Mercy offices and enjoy dinner with the staff. I'll also get to see Bonnie, a young lady of 15 now that we have sponsored for over 8 years, and have seen on several occasions. From Kolkata I'll head to Delhi to visit several of our projects in that area. This will be my first trip there.

After Delhi, it's on to Katmandu, Nepal to see our work there. From Nepal, I'll head to Thailand for more of the same. Once I have seen projects and met our partners in Nepal and Thailand, I will have had the opportunity to view our projects in every country where Mission of Mercy operates. Each country and culture is so different. This makes those long flight worth while.

Yet, as I leave, the images from Haiti are on my mind. I read Dr. Beyda's blog last night. There is such a desperate need and I am proud of our teams dedication and commitment. Please pray for their strength and health while in Haiti. Watch the Mission of Mercy website for updates.

I'll try to keep up with this trip as much as I can. I look forward to meeting new people, loving on the kids, and especially, returning home to Dee.

Middle East Journal

2009-12-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

I will not again view the news of the Middle East with the same perspective. Last week, shortly after our return, we saw a news story that talked about Israel revoking permits for Palestinians who live in the Israeli occupied area of Jerusalem. They could no longer go home. Having experienced what we did while in Jerusalem and the West Bank, this story really struck home. Normally, it would have just been another story in the news, and we wouldn't have given it a second thought. Now, our ears perk up when we hear a story from this region. We don't take the news stories we hear as "truth" any more - we filter what we are hearing.

I have completed my journal from our trip. It will not be posted on the Mission of Mercy web site. However, you are encouraged to request it and it will be emailed to you in pdf format. Send an email to blog@missionofmercy.org and we'll send it right out to you.

The work that Mission of Mercy supports in the Middle East is critical component of our ministry. To sponsor a child from this region, go to www.missionofmercy.org, click on the sponsor link, and sponsor a child from Jordan, Lebanon or Egypt.

I'm sure it will be a long time before we return to the Middle East, but this trip has impacted our lives in unexpected ways. We will never be the same.

Wrapping up Middle East Trip

2009-12-02T01:56:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks has been an amazing experience. Visiting Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the West Bank has given us a brand new perspective. We'll never watch the news back in the States the same way, and we certainly won't accept those reports as pure fact.

I have kept a journal of our trip and have posted it as the trip progressed. However, some of the information and photos are sensitive and I don't want to create a difficult situation for anyone here. Upon my return, I'll write a wrap up and then will make my journal available by email.

This has been a life-changing trip in many ways. There is much to be done here to help those who are poor ane oppressed. We had a couple very close calls on the highways. Dee mentioned yesterday that it must not be our time yet. We still have much to accomplish.

When my journal is completed, I'll post an email address where you can get a copy. Thanks for your prayers.

On the Way to the Middle East

2009-11-19T12:58:00.002-07:00

We leave for the airport in about an hour. A long flight to Frankfurt, Germany, an eight hour layover, and then the final four hour flight to Amman, Jordan. It will be a long journey. It gives Dee and me plenty of time to talk, think, pray and sleep. This is our first trip to the Middle East, but it is not a Holy Land tour. We will be visiting Mission of Mercy supported projects in Jordan and Lebanon. We'll travel from Amman to Beirut by car, so we'll travel through and spend the night in Damascus, Syria. We will conclude by going into the West Bank of Israel to determine the needs of children there.

We know that this will be a once-in-a-lifetime journey. We will see and experience things well off the beaten path. Our hosts know the culture of the Middle East well. I have a feeling that we will get a very unique perspective and that we will come back changed.

I'll do my best to blog as I have the opportunity. I'll post pictures where possible. Please keep us in prayer. We will be on the go for two weeks. I look forward to learning much more about this historical area of the world.

Field of Dreams

2009-11-07T14:18:00.005-07:00

Today was an amazing day. A new facility was dedicated in the Dominican Republic. It consisted of a baseball field, volleyball and basketball court, multipurpose building and classrooms for the 200 children who attend this project. In addition, a total of 15 projects reaching over 2,500 children are within 20 minutes away, so they'll have access to use this wonderful facility.

Today, about 300 children participated in the dedication. Pro baseball players from the US attended, along with a few US players in the Dominican league. Civic officials and a Mission of Mercy project leaders and pastors helped round out a wonderful group. After the dedication, activities were scheduled for the kids including baseball, soccer, basketball, face painting and more. I got a great hit off a major league pitcher.. it was captured on video.. I'll post that later!

This day wasn't about baseball - it was about hope for the children. The community where the field is located is a poor community and this facility has given them great opportunities for their kids. Hundreds of children will benefit. They know that they have value, and you could see the excitement on their faces.

But, for me, one of the greatest blessings came from someone I had never met. A pastor of a local church introduced himself and asked how my family was doing? I told him that my family was doing well. He said that he has been praying for my family every day asking God to protect them and bless them. He has also been praying for me - that God will continue to give me a vision to reach more and more children. As I spent time getting to know him, I felt honored by his commitment to prayer for my family and me - even though he never met us.

There were so many events that occurred today. The medical team checked each of the 200+ children in this project, and met a couple very immediate health needs. It was a great day of fellowship and fun. I look forward to seeing the impact this "Field of Dreams" has on this region. Today was the start of something great!

Pray

2009-09-17T13:03:00.005-06:00

It seems hard to find the time to keep this blog updated. I have great intentions, but it seems like too many things get in the way.

However, I just had to write my thoughts about giving and prayer. In the past few weeks, I have been especially touched by the prayer requests coming into Mission of Mercy. Every Tuesday morning, we break into small groups and pray over every single prayer request that comes in - even if it just a note on an enclosure in an envelope.

Many of those requests show the heart of compassion that people have for their families. Some say that they are having to financially help their married children, or children writing that they have to help their parents - all because of lost jobs, or serious medical conditions. Many have asked for prayer because they have lost their jobs. A lot of those who write send in their check for the sponsorship of their child, despite their own need. Some need to stop their sponsorship because they just don't have the money to continue.

Even though I am very aware of the needs of the children we serve in developing nations, the US is also a nation in need. Millions have lost their jobs and there are many other circumstances that are occurring that are forcing people into financial desperation. Maybe we could all benefit by praying more. A nation in need becoming a nation of prayer? You know what? If that happened, we'd change the world.

I want to say thank you to all of those who continue to support us in prayer. And those that support the kids despite their own person time of crisis. It is humbling to see that kind of spirit on a daily basis.

Speaking of prayer, if you need someone to stand with you, please let us know. You can email us at prayer@mofm.org. We will stand with you in prayer. The lessons learned from this economic crisis may get us back to the fundamentals of faith and life.

One Child Matters

2009-08-14T15:17:00.005-06:00

It's hard to believe that a month has passed since I have written. Time flies, eh? I've been busy with budgeting, office catch up and I spent a week in Orlando at the Assemblies of God General Council saying "hi" to old friends and meeting new ones. Sometimes it is easy to lose perspective in the middle of all the busy-ness. The past few days I've been thinking a lot about the reason that I do what I do. It's because One Child Matters.

If you follow Mission of Mercy, sponsor a child or are involved in some other manner, you are going to be hearing One Child Matters a lot. It is the center-point of what our ministry is all about - children. Here's what our message is:

One:
Whether it's our sponsorship program providing practical help and hope for the future, or making surgery to remove a life-threatening tumor possible, it's about One child. It is also helpful to keep this in perspective. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the need. But, if we can help One child, then we have made a difference!

Child:
This is our passion - children. We provide the opportunity for them to become productive leaders and effect change in their families and communities. To change a culture, we start with one Child.

Matters:
To matter is "to have importance or consequence." Think of how your own child has significance in your life - you would stop at nothing to protect your child from danger or harm. Whether a child attends a school in India or lives in the bush of Africa, that child Matters to us - and we are called to provide them opportunity and hope in Christ.

The thing I love about what is happening inside of Mission of Mercy is a tremendous resurgence of energy and creativity, despite a troubled economy. No expensive outside consulting firms; no high priced designers; just a group of staff members contributing thoughts and ideas. An artist, Aaron Crider, has written an awesome song around this theme; a song that will freely distributed soon. It is all happening “organically.”

Think about how much your own children mean to you. You can offer hope to a child in poverty – and hope to the child’s family and community. To get involved, sponsor a child today at www.onechildmatters.org .

Struggling with Life

2009-07-13T11:39:00.002-06:00

The last few weeks have been a very emotionally charged time at our house. Our dear friends, Amy and Bennett, are in the midst of a battle for Amy's life. Amy has a very invasive cancer. She has not reached 50 years of age. She is at MD Anderson hospital in Houston. MD Anderson is one of the leading cancer treatment centers in the country.

At the end of June, Dee and I headed to the Black Hills (SD) to see our children, as well as our granddaughter Montana. Just before the 4th of July I got a call from Bennett. He had thrown his back out, and was unable to drive to the hospital to see Amy. Needless to say, I got the first flight out to Houston to be with them. Over the next four days, I observed one of the greatest struggles - the struggle for life. Amy's condition remains serious, and I know they would appreciate your prayer.

Dee and I have spoken about the blessing of health in our lives - and in the lives of our children. Most of the time I don't even think about it. But when a close friend, even younger than me, goes through such a struggle, I am reminded of that blessing. While I know that Heaven is the ultimate healing, we want Amy to be with us for years to come.

How do you deal with this kind of situation in your life? How do you pray when a friend of family member is near death?

May God grant you simple joys in your life every day. And may you not take those joys for granted.

Kenya comes to the US

2009-06-19T15:07:00.004-06:00

Last week, we had the blessing of having two of our Kenya workers in the Mission of Mercy office in Colorado Springs. Hapi Wanje and Nicholas Kimatu work with our projects throughout Kenya. They are deeply committed to seeing that the sponsored children are well taken care of. They have hearts of gold and encouraged all of the people they met while in the country.

Dee and I were able to spend some time with them. We have both been to Kenya, so this was a special reunion time for us. Nicholas got his promised latte, but I'm not sure he is hooked yet!

It was Nicholas' first trip to the US. We asked him his thoughts. He talked about how wide our roads are, and how calm people are on the road. To him, we are very uncongested and organized. I think some of our Colorado Springs residents would differ with him. But, I remember the streets of Nairobi. Chaos everwhere. The lines on the roads are merely suggestions. People pack the streets and there is litter everywhere. Most of us have no clue how difficult life can be in Kenya and other countries around the world. Even simple things become major projects and consume hours of time.

As we said goodbye the Nicholas and Hapi, I was very grateful for the opportunity to know them. If you sponsor a child with Mission of Mercy in Kenya, please know the kids are in good hands. They are served by these two men who have an intensity of purpose to improve the lives of the children.

If you don't sponsor a child from Kenya, you can. Go to www.missionofmercy.org and search for a child from Kenya. There's also a Mission of Mercy trip to Kenya planned for this October. Dee will be going along as a team leader. You can find more information about that under the "Get Involved" link on the front page.

I am honored to be a part of a ministry that works with people like Hapi and Nicholas. They know that One Child Matters!

The Pictures Tell the Story!

2009-06-14T17:22:00.004-06:00

One of the greatest joys that Dee and I have had with Mission of Mercy is meeting the children we sponsor. We have met all of the six children we currently sponsor, as well as children that we sponsored before. We have met parents, brothers and sisters. It is truly a joy!

Recently, a group put together by radio station KSLT in Rapid City, SD, traveled to the Dominican Republic to work on buildings that will house a project and a sports complex. The project is set to be dedicated in November with pro baseball players in attendance.

I know the highlight of the trip for many of those traveling to the DR was to meet their sponsored children. Here are a couple photos that tell the story of those meetings.

When you have a chance to understand what sponsorship does for these kids, you don't hesitate to jump in.. many sponsor more than one. If you would like to become a sponsor for about $1 a day, go to the Mission of Mercy website at www.missionofmercy.org and find a child that you can help. Remember that One Child Matters!

Don't Answer the Phone!!!

2009-05-28T14:18:00.003-06:00

I recently received an email from Jack Eans, who is the VP of International Child Ministry for us at Mission of Mercy. This is a situation that exists in Honduras, but also in a number of other countries in Central and South America. After this email hit our offices, another member of our international staff, Yolie Lalama, also shared specific instances, as well. I hope this message will encourage you to keep these countries in prayer... - Mark...

At times it’s hard for us to imagine the different types of stress and pressure the kids, families, project workers and our own field staff in the various countries are under in their personal daily lives.

The following is just one example from one of our countries that needs our prayers.

Imagine your telephone ringing and like you do any day, you answer it but this time on the other end is a stranger who threatens to kidnap your son or daughter unless you pay them thousands of dollars within 72 hours. You have no idea what to do because you don’t know who called. Somehow they know you. You can’t go to the police because they either don’t care, couldn’t do anything anyway or are involved themselves. You start calling family members asking them to loan you money. Pretty soon every sister, uncle and cousin is aware and trying to pull the money together. Eventually you manage to get the money and you stand by your phone waiting for them to call again to give you further instructions. I know this is true because it just happened to a family member of one of our project workers.

This is the latest way the gangs in Honduras are using to extort money from innocent people. It usually happens in the poorest communities where the gangs run rampant. People are afraid to even answer their phones for fear of it being a call like this. And their fears are well founded because people have indeed been kidnapped and even killed for non-payment. They don’t have time to make a “pay no ransom” policy. They just pay and pray.

In these economic down times where everyone is focused on Wall Street, layoffs, interest rates etc. I always find it interesting and yet heartbreaking how poor people are rarely worried or preoccupied with these issues, rather they inevitably have some issue of fear or survival to deal with. We don’t always understand why they can’t just do what we need them to do quickly and right the first time. That person we’re waiting on may have to take a taxi downtown to an internet café (after it took them a week to get approval to take the cash to pay for both), plus run a dozen other errands for the project, all on their day off from their regular job while at the same time scared to walk down their own street or get home when its dark, and then assuming they are locked safely inside their house – afraid to even answer their own phone.

Please pray for each person somewhere out there working on behalf of the sponsors and children that they will be safe, have their own needs provided for, and feel encouraged that what they are doing for pennies is reaping a major investment in the Kingdom.

Thanks and be blessed!

Jack

It's a Small World

2009-05-17T14:50:00.003-06:00

A few days ago I posted a blog after I had connected again with our former sponsor child. Someone at Mission of Mercy thought it would be nice to talk to her about her experience, so I arranged a time for us to record an interview on Skype. As Lavinia spoke, I remembered my trip to Romania in 1995. We visited the Mission of Mercy site, where I saw a computer lab of about 10 to 12 computers. I remember thinking how great it was that kids were going to have the opportunity to learn on computers. Very few in Romania had a computer at home, and even back in the States, they were really coming of age. Well, Lavinia turned out to be one of those that had been tutored in that lab.

I found out in preparing to post the audio, that here and on Facebook, you can't upload audio, only video. So this is a very simple video, but the most important part, of course, is the audio. What would expect would be the focus of someone who spent over 30 years in radio?

I hope you enjoy the interview. The world gets smaller every day!

Update on our sponsor child

2009-05-04T19:57:00.004-06:00

I wrote about this in an earlier blog, but this is an update I sent to the Mission of Mercy/Bethesda staff. This is also for all of you that haven't gone back through the archives!

I just wanted to let you know how encouraged I am by a former sponsored child. Back in 1994 (when I was running Bethesda Christian Broadcasting), I went on my first trip with Mission of Mercy – it was to Romania. That trip impacted my life greatly. When I got back, I told Mission of Mercy to send us a child from Romania. We sponsored Lavinia for 7-8 years, until she graduated from high school (sometime in 2001-02). Her last communication to us, at 16, was that she wanted to be a computer programmer and that she prayed for our family every day!

About a year ago, I returned to Romania for the first time in over 13 years. I happened to ask the director if he knew what happened to our sponsored child. He knew of her and arranged to have her come in to meet me. She was 23 years old, a delightful young lady, that had completed her college education as a computer programmer. She led one of her college instructors to Christ. She is now working for a web consulting firm in Romania. She said she hesitated when she was offered the position because she would be the only Christian in the firm – but then she felt like God said that was exactly why she should take the position. Later, through communication with her firm, the director of the firm volunteered what services they could provide for our web site free of charge. Lavinia remembered that I had three children – two girls and a boy – but couldn’t remember their names. She thanked me for sponsoring her all of those years, and said it really made a difference in her life.

Last week, I got an email update from her. She has survived economic cuts at the firm, and is now the only programmer on staff. She is also nearing completion of her Master’s Degree. She also shared that she is going to a mission’s camp in Kosovo this summer. Her family is doing well in the Lord, even though some of them (she has six siblings) have been laid off.

I was just so encouraged by her email. She is now a friend on Facebook and I have linked my daughters Kate and Emily with her and I'm hoping they can get to know each other. You never know what happens when you sponsor a child, but Lavinia is just one example of how God uses Mission of Mercy in the lives of children. They grow up and have opportunities that they never would have dreamed of otherwise. Whatever your role is in child sponsorship or support of Mission of Mercy, please know that you are making a difference – and you’re changing hearts and lives.

Books (Paper and Electronic!)

2009-04-02T13:46:00.001-06:00

I'm a pretty avid reader. For awhile I struggled to read volumes of good Christian books that people recommended or gave to me. A few years back, though, I read the book Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. This is a great book, and I understand that it has recently been updated, so I'll probably get a recent copy and read it again. One of the questions Foster raised was, "when was the last time you read just for fun?" It really freed me up to get back to the memories of my youth when our family would spend Sunday afternoons at our cabin in Spearfish Canyon, SD. I remember chilly days with the fire blazing and all of the family sprawled out on chairs or couches reading intensely. My parents encouraged us to read. They didn't care what kind of books we read (as long as they were appropriate), and they knew reading encouraged our imagination and helped build our vocabulary. I had a real affinity for science fiction and read just about everything that Heinlein, Asimov and other science fiction writers published. Getting back to reading for fun has really gotten me back into the habit of reading.

One rule I try to follow is to read a book that feeds my soul for every novel I read for fun. Some of my recent "good" reads include books by Ken Blanchard, Richard Swenson, John Maxwell and others. Thanks to the Amazon Kindle, I can keep several books handy for the opportunity for one of those extended reading sessions, regardless of where I am. Right now I have about three or four "fun" books lined up, and the same number of "good" reads ready to go. Last weekend I finished a book by Clive Cussler, The Chase, which was based on historical events (a quick read you might enjoy). Then, I had to decide which of the other part of my book list I was going to tackle.

I opened up The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer. I ended up reading the book in two sessions in a 24 hour period. This is not a book written by a Christian promoting missions organizations. In fact, there were a couple organizations that he suggested supporting that I personally take exception to. However, the case he makes for giving to alleviate world poverty is compelling. The statistics he documented should cause concern to everyone. He established the "extreme poverty" level at those surviving on less than $1.25 per day. That accounts for 1.4 billion people - 455 million in India alone - the majority who are women and children. He showed that Americans on the average give 2.2%, of their income, which is almost double the amount of the next largest giving prosperous nation. The largest share of giving goes to religious purposes; churches, synagogues, etc. Most of this is to allow those institutions to fulfill their purpose here in the US. After religious giving, educational institutions and the arts receive a great deal of our charitable giving. According to his research, only .07% of our income goes outside of our borders, and that amount includes international exchange programs and other giving that does not directly aid the poor. That's less than 7 cents of every $100.00 we earn that helps those in extreme poverty. That, to me, is a very sobering fact.

I started reading the book during the evening, and ended up reading it until after midnight (which is very late for me!). Then, I was awake thinking about what I had read for another couple hours. I finished the book the next day. I don't agree with everything in the book, but I was challenged to examine what we do with our money - and why. We've considered ourselves as strong givers - and we focus a lot of that on helping kids in poverty. But, I'll be chewing on this book for quite awhile. My next journey through the book will be to highlight certain areas and passages. Don't be surprised if you hear more about it in a later blog.

In the meantime, I highly recommend the Peter Singer book - and also the Richard Foster book. Seems to me they would be a good pair to read back-to-back. I'm not sure which to recommend as the first to read. Perhaps you can read both, and post a recommendation of the order of the books to read. I'd also welcome any other book recommendations. I'll probably need to stock up soon!

Water - A Basic of Life

2009-03-24T18:52:00.009-06:00

Last weekend, Dee and I watched the documentary FLOW, about water issues around the world, including here in the United States. Some of the most sobering scenes, however, were of people in developing nations gathered around filthy rivers and streams... bathing and drinking from water that will definitely have a negative health impact on their lives. We saw first hand how Mission of Mercy is helping children and their families have access to clean water.

In Cambodia, floating communities exist that move from place to place in order to make a living fishing. The water is muddy, but families use the lake for washing, drinking, as well as for toilets. The kids regularly have dysentery and sickness is common. Mission of Mercy provided each family with water purifiers - very basic protection. It has made a tremendous difference in their health, and the families are deeply grateful.

In Kenya, we helped provide clean water for a Masai project after bacteria was found in the water that was being drawn from a local well. Each family is provided with clean drinking water. Again, there's been a tremendous improvement in the health of children. These are small steps, but they make a difference for these families. There is so much more to do. That's why I deeply appreciate the people that support Mission of Mercy. It enables us to provide so many things for our children that they would not have access to otherwise - food, clothing, medical attention, educational opportunity - and hope through Christ.

I wanted to mention one more thing in this note. My youngest daughter, Emily, and her husband, Heath, had the chance to meet their sponsored child when our family went with others on a Mission Trip to Swaziland. She recently opened up a new business and within a couple months sponsored another child through her business. I'm proud of her for taking that step early on in the development of her business. Sponsorship does make a difference, right, Emily?

I also needed to mention this and put Emily's picture on my blog because my granddaughter Montana arrives tonight (with oldest daughter, Kate, of course). Emily knows that my next post will probably include photos of Montana, so she wants equal time! So, here you go Emily!! Thanks for sponsoring another child! And... watch out behind you!!

Serving

2009-03-01T19:00:00.003-07:00

I spent the last weekend (Feb 21-22) in Baton Rouge with the wonderful folks at Healing Place Church. Pastor Dino Rizzo will soon be releasing a new book entitled Servolution. It is all about Healing Place Church's journey to serve the people around them and the people around the world.

The week before Easter, HPC is encouraging other churches around the country to join them in serving their community. While I was there the number of churches registered went over the 100 mark. If you would like more information, go to www.servolution.org and see for yourself what is happening.

I had the opportunity to visit and speak in a couple of their satellite churches. I saw the servant heart in reaching out through prayer to so many who had come to church carrying heavy burdens. One body is serving over 30 widows each week; providing them a meal, mowing their lawn or doing whatever it takes. That's truly what the "church" should be about.

Not only is HPC reaching people across their community, state and region - they are making a significant difference in missions around the world. I was blessed to be a part of their service, and deeply appreciated their hospitality - I felt very much at home!

To the people of HPC - God bless you - and thanks for all you do!

25 Years - KSLT Radio

2009-02-17T07:20:00.004-07:00

Today would have been my dad's 87th birthday. KTPT Radio - "The Point" is 4 years old today. And KSLT Radio is celebrating 25 years of broadcasting. In honor of that, President Obama is signing the Stimulus bill today - well, that may be a stretch!

But, it is wonderful to see what God has done over the past 25 years, The picture to the right is the Lown House, the historic building where we started broadcasting. There is a legacy of music and ministry that I have been blessed to be part of.

Today as we talked about "old times" on the air, several long time friends stopped by. Many shared testimony of how God used KSLT in their lives. What an encouragement is these difficult times. We heard how Hills Alive, our Christian music festival since 1985, has been impacting people. The little things make a difference, and what sometimes seemed insignificant in our ministry became a turning point in their lives.

It was over 15 years ago that KSLT began working with Mission of Mercy. Now the radio station hosts mission trips and sponsorship events. There are people on the mission field right now as a result of KSLT's involvement in missions.

Over the years, God has used KSLT to touch people in many walks of life, in many areas of the country and around the world. My thanks to all of the staff that have persevered and been dedicated to sharing His Word. And a special thank you to the thousands of people who have made a financial investment in the station over the years. This truly has been a partnership of believers reaching out - believing that we can change the world!

What Lies Ahead?

2009-01-27T07:19:00.003-07:00

Just a week ago, like millions of others, I watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Or, rather, tried to watch. We were in the lunch room at Mission of Mercy, attempting to view a web stream of the speech. Obviously, millions of others were trying to do the same. We heard the festivities clearly, but only occasionally got to see some of the video.

Uncertainty in the economy continues, and we're hearing all sorts of opinions on whether a government bailout will have any immediate impact. The debate will continue even after something passes through congress.

Dee and I also heard last week that a dear friend of ours was diagnosed with cancer. Results of her surgery are not optimistic, and we are in prayer daily for this special couple. They are younger than we are, and you never expect to hear news like this. Dee shared a Scripture passage from Psalms with them. Here is Psalm 62:5-8 in The Message:

"God, the one and only—
I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.
My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be." [1]

We never know what will come our way. Why do some experience difficulties at every turn, while others seem to go through life unscathed? Nothing that we do in life can earn us a "free pass" from trials and struggles. The only thing that we can do is place our trust in something that offers peace and hope in the midst of the fire. We know that we can not place our faith in our government or the institutions built by man. I love the last line above, "God is a safe place to be."

I have no clue how far down, or how far up, the economy will go in 2009. Instead, I'm being reminded daily that I have to keep my faith grounded in the Lord. I hope you can find comfort - and rest - in Him, as well.

[1] Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002

2009 - A Year of Challenge

2009-01-18T14:03:00.003-07:00

We are entering a brand new year that has a lot more questions than answers. The economy is in a tailspin, and nobody really knows yet where the bottom is. Jobs are being lost at a record pace. At the same time, we are on the verge of an historic occasion as a new president is inaugurated in two days.

I've had to write my very first "state of the ministry" message to Mission of Mercy supporters. As people in our country have had to contend with one piece of bad news after the other, many businesses and ministries are feeling the economic pinch. We have placed a limit on pay increases, cut travel and expenses, and have done everything that we can to prevent reducing the amount that we are sending to the children around the world. Their needs continue - and we are called to bring hope to children that would otherwise fall through the cracks of the system in their countries.

These have been difficult times - and there have been some sleepless nights as I've tried to "figure things out." In the midst of one of those sleepless nights just before Christmas, I put on my headphones and just hit shuffle on my iPod. The first song that played was December Leaves by Beth Nielsen Chapman. In the song, there's a lyric that says, "How heavy the heart that is empty. How light the heart that's full. Sometimes I have to trust what I can't know." That spoke a lot to me about being glad that I have a faith and a family that will help sustain me regardless of what happens in the future.

The Christmas season was full of wonderful family times. We spent time in South Dakota on Christmas eve at my brother's home with a house full of people. On Christmas day, we stayed with Dee's parents and spent time with her side of the family. A quick drive back to Colorado the day after Christmas to have all of our kids at our house. Our daughter Kate, with husband Aaron and grand daughter Montana, were able to come back from Washington state. Our son Mason joined us from South Dakota, and daughter Emily, with her husband Heath, came in from Wyoming. It was loud and busy - and awesome!

I was speaking to someone a couple days ago that said there may be some very positive side effects of the down economy. There will be far less travel in the year ahead, and people are being forced to consider their priorities. Many will focus on relationships - family, friends and church. This is also a time to make sure that we don't cut back on our benevolence. Families across the street and around the world need our help.

I pray that 2009 will be a year of blessing for you. I pray that you find your peace with God, and that you are strengthened by the relationships around you. I know that it is easier said than done, but, place your trust in the Lord and not in your own wisdom. Let's hope that when we look back at the end of the year that we will see that 2009 was a time of renewal of faith and family!

A Matter of Perspective

2008-11-28T16:48:00.004-07:00

I was going to title this a "Question of Balance," but since the Moody Blues used that back in 1969, I decided against it.

This has been a tumultuous fall. The markets have been dropping, housing market crashing, financial institutions failing - everywhere you turn, you hear the bad news. We've been praying for the kids at Mission of Mercy, while looking to cut internal costs any way we can. A drop in giving means that our ability to help the children will be impacted. This has been a very stressful time in leadership at Mission of Mercy. Even though Americans are struggling, the need is growing greater for the kids in developing nations.

On the personal side, I found out what African Tick Bite Fever was - about 10 days after it knocked me for a loop. A few days back from Swaziland and I was ill, but still trying to go into the office every day. Just as I was starting to recover, a doctor confirmed the diagnosis, and the fact that it just needs to run its course.

I was not having a good end of November. But, on Friday, the 21st, Dee and I flew to Seattle and then drove up to Lynden, where our daughter Kate, her husband Aaron, and our grand daughter Montana now reside. Aaron's parents were also there for his ordination ceremony Sunday evening. On Saturday evening, we celebrated Montana's 1st birthday (just a few days ahead of schedule). What a joy it was to spend time with her again. She is a delightful baby and we miss being near her.

Sunday evening, we all headed across the street for Aaron's ordination ceremony. Seven churches in the Lynden area are supporting him as he seeks to plant a church, probably in the Bellingham area. The church was full. As leaders from each of the seven churches surrounded him and laid hands on him in prayer, we were deeply touched. We can see that Kate and Aaron already have a base of people that love and support them. At the end of the evening, we addressed the Reverend Aaron Walters as an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. We are very proud of Aaron and Kate, and pray for their success as they establish a new home.

On Monday, we flew back to Colorado, then drove to South Dakota on Tuesday. I met up with my son, Mason, and we headed up to a little trailer house on Iron Creek Lake to spend a couple days. Thankfully, there was a neighbor who hauled us, and our stuff, to the trailer on his snowmobile - there was lots of snow on the ground. We beat the brush, in vain, looking for the great whitetail buck for a couple days, but still managed to meet up with Dee, her sister and her parents for a great Thanksgiving feast.

After the pressures of the past couple weeks, and fighting things healthwise, the change of scenery was just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes we allow things to grow larger than life, and they begin to consume us. There are challenges ahead, and they'll be around for a long time to some. But, in the middle of all of that, we need to remember the blessing of family and of children. It was a lesson I needed to learn all over again.

As we look ahead to the Christmas season, I hope I can remember to balance the troubles of the world with the blessings that God has given through family and friends. My hope is for a balanced perspective for you, as well.

Mozambique - Swaziland

2008-11-12T12:11:00.008-07:00

Traveling can sometimes be a real challenge. Dee and I just returned from a trip to Africa to attend the dedication of a couple of Mercy Centers. On the way there, a flight cancellation resulted in a day's delay in travel. Two days after we got there, I got my suitcase. The night before we returned, Dee got her suitcase! It's amazing how little you really need.

I am always moved by seeing the work of Mission of Mercy. In Swaziland, where the rate of AIDS is the highest in the world, virtually every family has been impacted. The Mercy Centers provide these kids with a sense of community and stability. The workers are deeply dedicated to the children.

This was my second trip to Swaziland, but just my first to Mozambique. Most of southern Africa was influenced by the British, but Mozambique was a Portuguese colony. So crossing the border into Mozambique made you keenly aware of the differences in language and culture. But you know what? Kids are still kids. They love to laugh and play - and they are grateful for the meal they receive every day they attend at the Mercy Center there.

The last time I was in Swaziland was August, 2008. Our entire family was there, along with others, on a Mission Trip. We helped break ground on two new centers. It was great to go back and see both of the centers completed, and to see the great number of kids that are already being impacted.

Our last day in Swaziland, we got to spend time with Sophie, our sponsor child. We took her to a candle factory, where she got a few instructions on candlemaking. Sophie has really been on our hearts since we started sponsoring her. Both of her parents have died of AIDS and her life has been very difficult. She has become a very special young lady to us.

One final note. Our trip took place during the week of the US Presidential election. The night after the election (which would have been the morning after in the US) we had dinner in Mozambique. Someone showed us a newspaper. The full front page was a picture of Barrack Obama with the huge headline (translated) "Obama, President for the World." The next day, back in Swaziland, at a dedication of a Mercy Center in a remote area, there were several tribal elders in attendance. They all thanked us, as Americans, for electing Obama. We definitely live in amazing times! It will be interesting to see what is in store for us in the next few years.

A Sad "See You Later"

2008-10-25T16:32:00.004-06:00

Earlier this month, we had to say goodbye to our grand daughter, Montana, as well as Kate, our daughter, and Aaron, our son-in-law. We were there for Montana's birth, and for the first 10 months of her life, we have been very close. Aaron graduated from seminary last November and has been waiting for his first position, which he now has taken in Lynden, Washington. For much of that time, they have been living with us. I was there the night that Montana crawled for the first time. It has been an awesome experience.

A sad part of our culture is the away movement of our families. I grew up with both sets of grandparents living in the same small town, and I got to see them regularly. I have fond memories of fishing with my grandfather, and getting jelly beans every time we saw him. There is something that grandparents add to a child's life - a peace and acceptance of the child, and the ability to love in a less disciplinary manner. We loved having Kate, Aaron and Montana living with us.

The Bible says that children are a gift from God. If children are a gift, then grandchildren are like all of the presents under the tree! Dee and I already miss seeing Montana's daily discoveries in life. But, she is in good hands - Kate and Aaron are wonderful parents. We did send Montana a camera for her computer, and got to see her online last night for the first time. I'm sure we'll also be burning some miles flying into Seattle on a regular basis.

Because Kate had a special birthday in August, I can no longer say I have three children in their 20's. Life is marching on. I am enjoying our children as they have become adults. I am proud of all three of them. Our youngest child, Emily, just opened her own business in Laramie, WY. Her husband, Heath, is a school teacher. Our middle child, Mason, is completing his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota Tech in Rapid City, SD.

Attorney John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute is the source of one of my favorite quotes. He said, "Our children are living messages sent to a time that we will never see." I may never meet Montana's children. Nonetheless, she carries a part of Dee and me. Through the life we shared with Kate, and the life she shares with Montana, it is our prayer that our "grand-message" will live a full life, and impact the world around her.

Children, and grandchildren, are such an important part of our lives. In addition to our own, I guess you could say that Dee and I have another 37,000 children in 16 countries around the world. We are truly blessed!

But right now, we're really missing Montana. Oh yeah, you too, Kate and Aaron!

Hope in Bangladesh and the Philippines

2008-09-25T15:14:00.006-06:00

Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to travel a great deal on behalf of Mission of Mercy. When I talk with people about my travels, I'm often asked if I get to see major tourist attractions in each of the countries I visit. Sometimes when we host a group of people, like a Mission Trip, we'll try to spend a day sightseeing and shopping. But, for the most part, I travel to see Mission of Mercy projects and meet the people who are serving the children. I love that aspect of what I do - experiencing life as it really is.

That was the case on my recent trip to Bangladesh and the Philippines. Bangladesh has a population of over 150 million people in a country slightly smaller than the state of Iowa. You can't escape the mass of humanity wherever you go. Over 80% of the population is Muslim. We drove for hours, including transport over the river by ferry, to see a couple of the village schools. Most of the Mission of Mercy projects are in the rural areas, and are inaccessible at times during the monsoon season. One of the things that really struck me was how little that they have as a point of reference to us in America. We encourage the children to write their sponsors regularly, but there is nothing in their culture to relate to. In these areas they have no mail service, and no need to communicate with anyone beyond their living area. There's no soccer league or dance school to write about. They live very simple lives - no electricity, no running water. Yet, you can see the hope in their eyes.

When we went to the Home of Hope Children's Home, I saw children who are being raised to become leaders. The first of the children are now graduating and contributing to the church and the community in Bangladesh.

In the Philippines, we also traveled a great deal. On the island of Malapascua, there is a small population which relies primarily on fishing. With solar power, a few lights can be lit at night, but the homes are very simple bamboo homes - all cooking is done outside over an open fire. Since we were going to spend the night, our afternoon included a walk around the island, and some time just sitting on the beach speaking with the fishermen. I met one sponsored child and his mother. She was sewing ripped fishing nets, and we had the opportunity to speak. She is extremely happy that her son is able to participate in the Mission of Mercy program. He gets help and encouragement in his studies, and receives nutritious meals on a regular basis. Our last activity of the day was attending a children's church service. The kids led the singing - and were enthusiastic participants. Over 150 Mission of Mercy kids crowded the church, and I had a wonderful evening with them.

The next day we visited several families whose homes were destroyed earlier in the summer by a typhoon. Upon my return, I had the joy of sending funds from Mission of Mercy to help eight of these families with sponsored children. Their homes will be rebuilt - and they will be able to move ahead with their lives.

After two weeks of exhaustive travel in Asia, my last full day was a Sunday. We were to attend church at the Happy Horizon's home. I was told that the children of the home, some of whom were rescued off the streets after much abuse, always led the worship. I thought, "this will be cute." I was totally unprepared for what I experienced. These kids are talented singers and musicians - and they know how to worship. Any church in America would be blessed to be a part of that service. I came out of that service refreshed and encouraged. The abuse that some of these children have suffered in their lives is unimaginable - yet they have hope in a God who deeply loves them and cares for them.

My final activity was to speak at the two year anniversary of a church. We traveled on rocky roads almost straight up the mountainside. The church started two years ago with about 15 people. There were probably 200 at the service that afternoon. The kid's from the orphanage came to help with the music. The worship was led by the pastor's wife. After the service, I found out that the pastor's wife was one of the first five girls taken in years ago when Happy Horizons had just started. Talk about ministry coming full circle!

Though I didn't hang out on any popular beaches, or visit any tourist attractions, I experienced a side of life that very few of us in this country get to experience. I saw poverty, to be sure. But I also saw something that all of us need to experience daily - Hope!

Kenya

2008-08-18T09:17:00.005-06:00

I spent three days in Kenya this month. This was my second trip to Kenya in less than a year. When you have been to some place that impacted you, you wonder if it will have the same impact when you go back a second time. In this case, the answer is, "definitely, YES!" Dee joined me on this trip as we traveled to see two projects with the Massai tribe, plus visited New Life Home and Hope Academy in Nairobi.

Over the course of the three days, we were able to visit New Life Home twice. New Life Home rescues discarded and abandoned children. There were 51 babies, ranging from infants to toddlers. The level of care these children are provided is amazing. Between the staff and volunteers, these children get almost one-to-one care. This is one of those places that you get lost in time. Just holding and playing with the children blesses your heart - and to think these are the children that are the throw-aways of Nairobi! God has a plan for each of them!

Our trip south to the Massai tribe was amazing, as well. Because we were on such a tight time schedule, we were not going to be able to visit a game park or zoo. On our drive in the bush though, we happened across a giraffe and herd of zebra's! Dee said afterward, "Let's give the Lord a hand - he has blessed us!" Everyone else felt the same.

When we got to the first project, which is pretty isolated, we were greeted by the children singing for us. They are amazing kids. They face living conditions that most of us cannot relate to. Yet, because of the assistance of Mission of Mercy, they have hope. When we were there last November, we became concerned about the quality of the water. It was tested and found to be contaminated. Since then, we have provided a water purification system that allows the kids to drink safe water. The families are allowed to draw water for drinking, also, so the children are able to drink safe water in their homes, as well. I believe this will make a difference in the health of our Mission of Mercy children and their families.

During the trip, we also visited the home of one of our sponsor children. These are huts with sheet metal roofs, with hardened mud over a basic stick frame. The families do much of their cooking indoors, but the only ventilation is through the doorway, and two very small openings at either end of the hut. The last time I was in Kenya, when we visited a home they were cooking indoors. It took us several washings of the clothes I was wearing to get the smoky smell out.

For those of you who read this that support a child through Mission of Mercy, I deeply appreciate your support. Your sponsorship makes a big difference in the lives of these children. If you have not yet sponsored a child, you can do so by going to the Mission of Mercy website at www.missionofmercy.org.

I continue to marvel at how blessed we are in the US. Even in the midst of an uncertain economy, we can still reach out to "the least of these" and make a difference. This past week, I fell in love all over again with the people of Kenya. And I'm again encouraged by the work that we are doing, not just in Kenya, but in countries around the world!

Watching Montana Grow

2008-06-17T14:12:00.004-06:00

Dee and I have been blessed to have our grand daughter, Montana, live near us. She is now six months old. I had friends tell me that being a grandparent was a wonderful thing, but I always thought they were being a bit "gushy." Now, I believe them. It is fun to watch her grow up. She is very curious about her surroundings, and I think she's partial towards her grandpa!

Children are a blessing of God. In Psalm 127:3, the Message Bible says, "Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?"

Whenever I spend time with Montana, though, I'm mindful of the children that don't have parents who can provide for them. It's not because the parents don't love them. They are just born in a different country, amidst the poverty that surrounds them. Poverty exists in America, to be sure. However, we have many safety nets that are available for those who seek help. In the case of the poor, part of the safety net in a developing country is having children who can work at an early age to help support the family. These children often fall through the cracks of the system.

Even in a difficult economy, I often wonder if we can't do more? According to the Census Bureau, there are 110 million family units in America. If every family helped one child in need in a developing country, we'd see the world change. That's not going to happen. However, if you happen to be reading this - and you don't sponsor a child, I'd invite you to our website at www.missionofmercy.org. There is a child waiting for help - and for about a dollar a day, you can give them hope for the future.

I know God has a plan for Montana's life. I am excited that God has given us the opportunity to be part of her life. I pray for God's blessing for her - and I pray that when she grows up, she will be a world changer! I pray the same for the 37,000 children that we reach daily through Mission of Mercy. Children are a joy to watch and to be with, aren't they?

Children at Risk?

2008-06-03T09:10:00.004-06:00

It seems that every day we hear about more difficult circumstances created by the economy. We are constantly inundated with news about the increase in gas prices and the decrease in home prices. Every time you go to the gas pump, you're faced with sticker shock. Their are many families in America that are struggling, and I feel that financial challenge even in my own family.

These are times that also challenge non-profit ministries. We rely on the loving gifts from God's people. Often, when times get tough, people cut back on the amount of money they give. I have given this a great deal of thought - and I think about the potential impact on children that we serve at Mission of Mercy. These are children that had little or nothing to begin with. My heart goes to these children, as well.

If you have a vehicle of any size, it is easy to drop $60 in the gas tank when you fill up. My total this morning was $60.65. That's twice the $30 per month that it costs to sponsor a child - to provide nutrition, education and medical help, as well as the message of Christ. Put another way, you can support a child who needs you for just a half a tank of gas. When the temptation comes to cut back on support of a child, perhaps you can think of ways to save a half of tank of gas over the course of a month, instead. Share the ride when you can. Combine your errands on one trip, instead of taking multiple trips. With just a little planning, you should be able to cut enough on gas to support "one of the least of these."

In the midst of difficult times and a tight budget, please keep in mind these words of promise from Isaiah 58:10-11:

" if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail." (NIV)

Sri Lanka

2008-05-13T00:27:00.002-06:00

This was my 5th trip to Sri Lanka since the tsunami. Dee and I have had the opportunity to lead teams to work on the orphanage at Kalapuwa Sri. Because we know so many of the staff here, it was a bit like coming home.

We were surprised to learn that Darshini, our 11 year old sponsor child, had made the 6 hour trip to meet us. I had met her before, but because of the fact that it is a grueling drive, and that Darshini must stay a couple nights at the orphanage to make the trip, I had told them they should not put her through the stress. However, she wanted to see us, so she came. She was a delight to be with. She is a Tamil, so most of the other kids do not speak her language. Both of her parents are tea pluckers on a tea plantation near Kandy, earning very little salary.

The dedication of the new Kalapuwa Sri orphanage was thrilling for us. We had not been here for over 18 months, so we were amazed with all that had been done. This is truly a home where the boys can grow in the knowledge that they are special and they are greatly valued. These are kids that have lost everything.

As we packed our bags for the trip back to the US, we talked about how so many of the missionaries and the national staff have invested everything in the lives of these kids. We return with an even greater sense of responsibility to do everything we can to support their efforts. This is where the ministry happens – and we are determined to pray for the workers and the kids – and to help them in every way possible.

Cambodia

2008-05-07T10:06:00.000-06:00

We were unprepared for the beauty of Cambodia. Having read the stories of the genocide of the Khmer Rouge in the 70’s, and how 1 ½ to 2 million people lost their lives; we were not sure what to expect. We spent three days traveling the country by air, boat and car. We saw a country that has suffered a great deal. But people are doing their best to recover.

Our first trip was a boat ride to the floating school that Mission of Mercy supports. There was also a medical team with us to provide check ups for the children. We met our 12 year old sponsor child, Lay Phat, and our heart went out to him. The floating fishing village he is a part of is incredible, but there is concern that the lake they are on is being over fished and their livelihood may diminish. That’s why an education becomes so important.

As we traveled to Battambang and then south to the orphanage on the southern coast, we saw so many people deeply committed to helping these children become productive members of society. As these kids learn about the Lord, many have dreams of becoming pastors. The kids at the orphanage are learning business practices by raising crops, pigs, quail, and by doing crafts. They are able to sell the products. Several of the kids have nice bikes that they have purchased for themselves.

Although our days were filled from early to late, Dee and I were deeply impacted, and look forward to the day that we can return.

India - Bonnie

2008-05-01T23:26:00.006-06:00

At the end of our Mission of Mercy conference with project leaders from around India, we had a nice banquet. It was our joy to invite our sponsor child, Bonnie, and her family. It was a wonderful evening. Bonnie is being educated in an English school, so she could communicate well with us, and translate for the family. Her older brother is now 25, but was not a sponsor child, so he only completed 8 grades of school, and is not able to speak English, which is a disadvantage here. It took him awhile to find a job, and he receives a very small salary. Bonnie's parents expressed to us how grateful they were that we were helping her. She is a very bright young lady - and would like to become a doctor some day. We don't know what the future holds, but we know that, with our sponsorship, Bonnie will be able to get at least a high school education.

Sometimes, though, the little things strike you. As much as we tried to honor and host them, they would not sit or take a bite until we had sat and began eating. We gave Bonnie a CD of Sarah Kelly, a Mission of Mercy artist. There was some conversation in the family. I asked what they were talking about and Bonnie finally said, "it's not a problem. We have not a way to play the CD." We are so used to technology. We will see that we're able to put the CD on cassette tape, or provide a CD player for them. The family is Hindu, but Bonnie receives teaching about the Lord every day. She told us that she prayed to God that she would be able to meet us again, and that night was an answer to her prayers. We will get to spend a little time with her again tomorrow before we depart for Cambodia. When I think of how the whole family is impacted by her ability to get an education, I assure you, that $30 a month check doesn't seem like too much to give.

India Conference

2008-04-28T00:12:00.002-06:00

We are in day one of a three day conference in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. Around 50 project directors, representing ministry to over 15,000 children are in attendance. It is amazing to meet these people that have so deeply impacted so many children's lives. There are so many stories of children who have graduated from the program that are now teachers, pastors or professional people. Does $30 a month really do that? It doesn't take very long to be convinced that these children are making a great difference here in India. Most of those children would have never had the opportunity for education and growth had it not been for sponsors who provided for them. Even though there are pockets of prosperity in India, when you walk the streets of Kolkata, you see how deep the level of poverty is for so many. If you are reading this and already sponsor a child - thank you! You are making a difference. If you do not yet sponsor a child, you can go to our website at www.missionofmercy.org and find a child that you can bless. My guess, though, is that you will be blessed as well.

Headed to Asia

2008-04-23T14:13:00.004-06:00

Early tomorrow morning, Dee and I will fly out to Calcutta, India. It is the first of three countries that we will visit over the next three weeks. In India, we will be meeting with most of the project directors that are responsible for our ministry to the kids. From there we go to Cambodia to view the Mission of Mercy projects there. After that, we'll fly to Sri Lanka for the dedication of Kalapuwa Sri, a boys academy.

In India, we will get to visit Bonnie, our sponsor child. When last we saw her, she was just 11 years old. Now, she is 14. It will be interesting to see the changes that have taken place. We have invited Bonnie and her family to join us for the banquet at the end of the conference. It will be one of the highlights of our trip.

We have never been to Cambodia, so this will be a new experience for us. During that trip, we'll meet Lay Phat, the 12 year old boy that we sponsor. He is part of the floating school - a project I have heard a great deal about.

In Sri Lanka, we'll participate in the dedication of Kalapuwa Sri. Following the tsunami that hit the day after Christmas, 2004, I went there 4 times over the next couple years, and led groups from Texas, South Dakota and Michigan to help build the boys' home. Dee was a leader on two of those Mission Trips. We are excited to see the finished work.

On every trip I've taken, God has created unique opportunities for me that reaffirm the work we are doing. I wonder what is in store on this journey? Please keep Dee and I in your prayers. It will be a very hectic three weeks of meeting people and visiting projects. You prayer support would be greatly appreciated. I will try to post a couple times on this trip. At the very least, I will post a wrap up when we return.

My two cents

2008-04-06T14:34:00.009-06:00

I just returned from a meeting that included people from a number of ministries that provide relief and development to countries and communities in need. During the meeting Rich Stearns, President of World Vision, shared a few statistics that were very sobering. In America there are more than 350,000 churches, with well over 100 million people in regular attendance. The average Christian gives 2.5% of his/her income, which is only slightly ahead of Americans on the whole. Of the giving to those 350,000 churches, just 2 cents of every dollar goes to fund programs to deal with poverty and injustice around the world. It was pointed out that 2,100 Bible verses deal with justice and the poor, so we have certainly been given instruction in this endeavor.

You could say this is a rather dismal picture of American Christians. I'd rather look at this as an opportunity to for us to stretch and create even more opportunities to reach out and impact lives around the world. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and ministering to the widow and orphan is part and parcel of the Good News of Jesus. When we reach out in His name to the least of these, we are putting feet to the Gospel. And guess what? Amazing doors then open for people to hear our words. St. Augustine said, "at all times preach the gospel, and when necessary, use words."

We are given the blessings of provision to be a blessing to others. This has caused me to look again at my priorities, and to consider what more I can do for His kids.

Romania - A special place in my heart

2008-03-23T21:35:00.000-06:00

The first time I traveled overseas was in 1994. I flew to Romania with several Mission of Mercy Board members as they were looking at some land for a Mercy Center. I still have vivid memories of that trip. Romania was reeling in the aftermath of the Ceausescu regime. Every major TV network was airing specials about the plight of orphans, and thousands of Americans were coming into Romania to adopt children. That trip, perhaps more than anything else, shaped my future and gave me the passion I still have for the work that Mission of Mercy is engaged in.

Last week, over 13 years later, I was back in Romania. Much has changed. The country is part of the European Union and, while not prosperous, is certainly growing in that direction. While the financial situation has changed, it is still a country that desperately needs to hear about Christ. And, there are many children who haven't reaped the benefit of the growing economy. We will soon be completing the second building on that property I walked on many years before.

When we arrived, I just happened to mention that I had sponsored a girl there for many years. She had graduated in 2003. I wondered what had ever happened to her? When she was 16, she wrote us that her dream was to become a computer programmer. I was told that she worked not too far from the project and asked if I would like to meet her? Absolutely, I would. The next afternoon, I was introduced to Lavinia. She is now 23 years old; not much younger than my youngest daughter. She remembered that I had two daughters and a son, and asked how they were. She told me that she had graduated from University and was now working in a web development firm there in Pitesti. She is studying on the side to get her Master's in Computer Science. This was the little girl we sponsored, and exchanged letters and photos with. She thanked me several times for my sponsorship, and told me how much difference that made in her life. Who do you think was most blessed? Certainly not her. Meeting her was such an encouragement to me - and proof that sponsorship does make a difference. In fact, we will soon be revamping our web site, and there's a good possibility that part of that work will be done by Lavinia in Romania. That's sponsorship coming full circle!

Another Goodbye - and a Hello

2008-02-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

On February 1, Dee and I attended a dinner in our honor. It's been 25 years since we formed what is now Bethesda Christian Broadcasting. We have three stations in western South Dakota, and two radio stations in northern Wisconsin. Over the years, so many people have supported KSLT, our first Christian station, and the other four stations as they came along. Because of the prayer, support and friendship of these awesome people, thousands of lives have been impacted. It was hard to say goodbye to these precious friends, but we know they still support us and know the reasons for our move. Thank you for the gift of your friendship.

Less than a week later, the movers are pulling away from our new house in Colorado Springs. There are boxes all over the house. It seems cold and empty now, but I know that once Dee puts her touch to the house, it will become our home. We have a few questions. Do we really need all of this stuff? Will our children ever pick up their boxes? And where is that book I wanted to read?

This is a time of new beginnings. I know it will take some time, but I know this is part of God's plan for our lives. We'll keep you posted!

Christmas with the family

2007-12-30T20:50:00.000-07:00

This Christmas is the last one for our family at our home in Rapid City, South Dakota. We will be moving to Colorado Springs after the first of the year. Our son, Mason, has been living with us the past few months as he works toward finishing his Master's Degree at the School of Mines. Our son-in-law, Aaron, has just completed seminary, and is in the process of looking for his first pastoral position. Aaron and Kate have moved in with us and have brought our favorite Christmas gift, our granddaughter Montana. Daughter Emily, and her husband, Heath, were able to come for about 10 days. So, the house was full - and it was a delight! We are greatly enjoying our adult children and their families.

We know 2008 will bring many changes. Dee will be leaving her 10 year practice as a massage therapist. I'm still trying to learn the ropes at Mission of Mercy. And, the boxes are just waiting to be packed.

We know we will be back, but it will be different. Dee's parents and two brothers live in the Black Hills, as does my mother, a sister and a brother. We will miss them. As you get older, you start taking inventory of your life. God has truly blessed us. One of the reasons that I am so passionate about my work with Mission of Mercy is that I see the lives that are being changed. Before I go to be with the Lord, I want to touch as many lives as I can. I want this world to be a little better for some because of my obedience to His purpose for my life. As the year ends, that is my prayer for you. Follow Him and let Him use you to impact the lives of those less fortunate. May His peace and joy be with you in 2008!

Two Children a World Apart

2007-12-10T20:25:00.001-07:00

At the end of November, Dee and I were blessed with our first grandchild - a little girl by the name of Montana Faith (Montana is Spanish for mountain). Though she was born a month early, she is healthy and happy. We want to commend our daughter Kate and son-in-law Aaron for giving us this new bundle of joy in our life! I've been told for years that being a grandparent is the best thing ever. Now I know why. I love holding her and talking to her (telling her all of the mysteries of life - and how to handle her parents). Then, when she's a bit fussy and ready to eat - I hand her over! It's truly a wonderful blessing - and I'm always anxious to get more Montana time.

Just a couple days after Montana was born, I received an e-mail from New Life Home in Nairobi. They were asking for prayer for little Pip. She had been abandoned in a paper bag in a garbage container in one of the slums of Nairobi. She was a little over 2 pounds when she was brought in. She was given a blood transfusion at New Life Home, then put on an antibiotic IV drip. They said she is a fighter.

I am just floored at the thought of someone throwing a baby in the garbage, but it happens all over the world. Montana was born to loving parents who look forward to raising her to become a Godly woman. Pip was thrown away. Somehow, God saw fit to intervene and to bring her into the care of the staff at New Life Home. There she will be loved, given good nourishment, and raised to become a Godly woman. The Lord has a purpose and a plan for each girl. Montana's parents (and grandparents) will be there for Montana every step of the way. I'm grateful that we support New Life Home and that they can be there for Pip. I'm also grateful for the hundreds of people that have given so that New Life Home can continue to save lives!

Please Don't Send Me to Africa!

2007-11-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

Scott Wesley Brown wrote a song back in the 80's. It was about our willingness to serve the Lord, except in places like Africa. That always stuck with me. This month, I had the opportunity to visit our projects in Egypt, Ethiopia and Kenya. Three other members of the Mission of Mercy Board also joined the trip. Here is a very short summary of the trip:

Egypt
Our trip in Egypt started with our project in one of the garbage cities of Cairo. The people of the community collect and separate garbage - and then sell it. There is garbage everywhere. Kids wade through the garbage from a young age. We have built a six story building for classrooms, a medical clinic and vocational training center. I am deeply appreciative of the level of care the children receive; a good meal, education, medical attention and the message of Christ. No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the pyramids - and they are truly impressive.

Ethiopia
The cornerstone of our ministry in Ethiopia is a Mercy Center in Addis Ababa that serves 2,000 children. It also houses vocational training for the mothers. They sew the uniforms for all the kids, and prepare the meals in the catering center. Prior to going to Ethiopia, we had received an e-mail from a family in North Carolina. They had lost their 24 month old son due to medical complications. They decided they needed to reach out in love to another boy, so they sponsored a child in Ethiopia. I let them know I would greet their sponsor child, Mussie, for them while I was in the country. What a powerful meeting that was! I told Mussie's mother about their sponsor family and she hugged me and cried. It was a moving experience.

Kenya
Mission of Mercy supports a school on the edge of a slum of 300,000 people in Nairobi. The quality of education is excellent. In addition to that work, we visited the New Life Home. New Life Home takes in children abandoned in dumpsters, paper bags, among other places. Fully one-third of the children are HIV positive. It is a joy to be there amidst all of these children - holding them and playing with them. It's a hard place to leave. We also drove into the bush south of Nairobi and visited the Maasai people. We were greeted and honored upon our arrival. These are people living in the most primitive conditions. They thanked us and told us, "before Mission of Mercy, our children were hungry. Now they eat every day."

All of these projects are very diverse, but they do have a common focus - bringing hope to children. That is the bottom line - and that's what made this trip so encouraging. There is nothing better in this world than the smile of a child.

A Career Change

2007-09-20T17:36:00.000-06:00

Earlier this month, I was appointed as the new President of Mission of Mercy. It is a great honor. But it also carries a tremendous responsibility. Some 36,000 children in over 20 countries are touched by this ministry.

For the past 32 years, I have been involved in all aspects of radio broadcasting. I started as a disc jockey and ended up owning a station in my hometown in South Dakota. In 1983, I sold that radio station to start a contemporary Christian radio ministry in Spearfish, South Dakota. Broadcasting has been my life - it is the only career I have known.

In 1991, our radio ministry merged with Bethesda Ministries, which is also the parent ministry of Mission of Mercy. Since that time, I have been speaking on behalf of the kids of Mission of Mercy. In 1994, we started the 28 Hours of Mercy, a radio telethon that is held on radio stations around the country. I have traveled extensively hosting those events. I've also had the pleasure of leading Mission Trips to projects around the world. I have experienced the impact of child sponsorship in a number of countries. So, after 17 years of speaking for Mission of Mercy on radio, it is only natural that I step into a position with the ministry.

Stepping into a leadership position with Mission of Mercy is a very humbling experience. There are so many elements that go into linking a child to a sponsor. It has been overwhelming to be placed into this position, and to know the responsibility that the position carries. I feel like I am in over my head at times, but that's OK with me. It is only when we are completely dependent on God that we are where we need to be. I know I've been called, but I also know that without the leading of Christ in my life, there will be no success. So, I deeply appreciate your prayer support.

I love radio - and the impact that Christian radio makes in the lives of its listeners. But, I also want to touch the lives of children around the world. And so, the adventure begins!

Swaziland Mission Trip

2007-08-31T22:06:00.000-06:00

I've always dreamed of our entire family traveling together to one of the Mission of Mercy projects. All of our kids were in transition this year, so the timing was right. Dee and I were to lead a group of WCLN-FM listeners from Fayetteville, NC - there were 31 of us, including my family. We flew out of Raleigh. Our plane was late in arriving in Washington, DC, so we missed our flight to South Africa. That meant an overnight in DC. When we got back to the airport the next day, they had to split us into two groups. Dee led half the group on a direct flight to Johannesburg, and I took the rest through London. My group was to arrive a day after Dee's, but her group had complications and got to the Swaziland border too late to enter the country, they had to turn back and find a place in South Africa to stay. Both groups ended up with unique adventures, but we arrived safe and sound - at almost the same time.

During the week, we helped break ground on two new Mercy Centers. We worked during the morning, then split into groups during the afternoon to conduct Bible clubs at five different Mercy Centers. As I would talk with projects leaders, I would point out different children and ask about them. Time and time again they would tell me about parents who passed away of aids, or who abandoned the kids, or one of many other heartbreaking stories. By the end of the week it dawned on me that none of the kids I met were living at home with their biological parents. They were shifted from home to home - relative to relative. At the Mercy Centers, the staff has to ask the kids to leave at the end of the day. They love staying there - it is their community - being with other kids and with a staff that deeply loves them, feeds them and cares for them.

One of the highlights of the week for Dee and me was meeting our sponsor child - who we call "Sophie." Her real name is difficult to pronounce. We bonded with her and fell in love with her. Sophie's only living relative is her grandfather - and he has abandoned her, and left her in the the care of her step-grandmother. She also stays some evenings with one of the Mercy Center teachers. We always caution people about trying to adopt children when we travel abroad. Sophie's loss of family and the instability in her home life started us thinking about it. As we said goodbye to Sophie on the last day, she held tight to Dee and whispered in her ear, "Won't you please take me home with you?" When Dee came back to the bus, she was in tears. Swaziland laws would require either Dee or me to be present in the country for one year before we could adopt her. We are still praying about it - but mostly praying for Sophie. Both of my daughters and their husbands also sponsor children in Swaziland. They also had the opportunity to meet their sponsor children. Dee and I have been sponsoring children for over 20 years. It made me proud to see my children, who certainly are struggling financially in this transitional stage of life, step up to help others.

After a very impacting week in Swaziland, we flew back with the group to Raleigh. We said our goodbyes and then settled in for an eight hour wait before our flight back to South Dakota. We had our first Starbucks coffee in 10 days, and we sat on the floor at the airport talking about our experiences. During that conversation, one of my children said, "We get it dad. We know why you and mom are so passionate about what you do." There are so many children around the world who have needs. My prayer is that more people "get it" and would impact the life of just one child. Before you know it, we would change the world!