On our first full day of our stay in Guatemala, we visited Casa Jackson, a home for feeding malnourished children—our daughter and her husband volunteer there, feeding babies and changing diapers. But our “divine surprise’ was finding it was part of a larger ministry called Nuestros Ahijados (God’s Child). We visited their ‘campus’, called the Dream Center, located in the notorious San Felipe slums. Nuestros Ahijados feeds, cares for, and educates needy children, women, and families. And because most of the families they work with live in houses that are just pieces of wood with dirt floors and lamina sheets for roofs, Nuestros Ahijados has a program to build homes with solid walls and cement floors. They currently have a two-year waiting list to build these homes (which cost only $1500). We are excited to find such a great need that is within our means to do something about!
In September 2009, the Guatemalan government declared a state of emergency and requested international support to respond to a major food crisis. Drought in the country has wiped out the corn and bean crops of poor families. The government estimates more than 3 million people are at risk of serious food shortages. Doctors are reporting a growing number of life-threatening cases of severe malnutrition in children. The current phenomenon of starving children is unlike any seen in years. Analysts expect the current crisis to worsen because crop failures have pushed food prices out of reach for many poor families.
I am reminded of James’ words:
“Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well,” but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless (James 2:15-17 NLT).
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