Children at Risk?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.