Did you know that November 8 was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church? Each year, more than half a million churches join together to pray for persecuted Christians. We need to be reminded to pray our brothers and sisters who are abused or imprisoned because of their faith.
And it isn’t just the persecuted ones who need our prayers. We must remember to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who live in sub-standard conditions: they have no running water, adequate food or housing. We need to pray for those who are suffering because they are poor, hungry or sick.
While in Guatemala, we met “evangelicals” (that’s what Guatemalan Christians call themselves) wherever we went. On the day we travelled 6 hours to visit the “Shadow of His Wings” orphanage, we hired a driver named Jose. On the long drive back, he told me he was an evangelical, having recently been born again. He gave me his brief testimony of drug abuse and theft. He said he had been in prison 3 times, but now he goes to Bible study 4 nights a week. I do not know what Jose’s home is like (I would like to have visited him there) but I do know that there are many Christians like him who have very little of the things we take for granted: clean drinking water, hot and cold running water, indoor plumbing, and enough income to buy food and provide adequate housing for one’s family.
Let us not forget to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit; stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18).
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE PRESENTATION OF “SHADOW OF HIS WINGS” ORPHANAGE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f1DTQHR8ws
Showing posts with label guatemala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guatemala. Show all posts
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
How Are You Meeting the Biblical Mandate to Care for Orphans and Widows?
When we accepted our daughter’s invitation to visit her and her husband in Guatemala, we told her the one thing we wanted to do was to visit an orphanage. So our second ‘divine surprise' in Guatemala was finding "Shadow of His Wings," currently providing 5 homes for 64 orphaned girls.
The girls come from various backgrounds, but most have come out of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Several are daughters of prostitutes, with one of them being forced into her mother's profession at the age of six. Some girls have come to “Shadow of His Wings” badly beaten, one by her mother and the other by a stepfather. But all have suffered the lack of food, clothing, shelter, and love. And since most of the girls have received little or no education, “Shadow of His Wings” built Liberty Christian School (currently grade school and junior high). Not surprisingly, they have a need for trained teachers, psychologists, and counselors to help these girls be healed and learn who they are in Christ.
“Shadow of His Wings” long term goals include building homes for at least 150 girls and 100 boys, a high school, a multi-purpose building with a central kitchen, a medical clinic (which will also serve community members), administrative building, 2 small staff homes, and a building for the “Step Up” transition program for the girls who turn eighteen. Additionally, they are planning to have a home for babies with an adoption program. And long term to build a home for widows to be known as Grammy's House.
The Bible says: “pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles…” (James 1:27 NLT) Can you imagine any ministry more responsive to James’ words than “Shadow of His Wings”?
Now, may I ask you to read the following words of Jesus and let them ‘disturb’ you as they do me?
Then He will also say to those on His left, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.” Then they themselves also will answer, "Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me." (Matt. 25:41-45).
The girls come from various backgrounds, but most have come out of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Several are daughters of prostitutes, with one of them being forced into her mother's profession at the age of six. Some girls have come to “Shadow of His Wings” badly beaten, one by her mother and the other by a stepfather. But all have suffered the lack of food, clothing, shelter, and love. And since most of the girls have received little or no education, “Shadow of His Wings” built Liberty Christian School (currently grade school and junior high). Not surprisingly, they have a need for trained teachers, psychologists, and counselors to help these girls be healed and learn who they are in Christ.
“Shadow of His Wings” long term goals include building homes for at least 150 girls and 100 boys, a high school, a multi-purpose building with a central kitchen, a medical clinic (which will also serve community members), administrative building, 2 small staff homes, and a building for the “Step Up” transition program for the girls who turn eighteen. Additionally, they are planning to have a home for babies with an adoption program. And long term to build a home for widows to be known as Grammy's House.
The Bible says: “pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles…” (James 1:27 NLT) Can you imagine any ministry more responsive to James’ words than “Shadow of His Wings”?
Now, may I ask you to read the following words of Jesus and let them ‘disturb’ you as they do me?
Then He will also say to those on His left, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.” Then they themselves also will answer, "Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me." (Matt. 25:41-45).
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Faith That Doesn't Show Itself By Good Deeds Is No Faith At All
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).
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).
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Off to Guatemala
Altha and I are leaving for Guatemala today, returning on November 11th. Our daughter Esther and her husband John have been traveling through Central America since September. In Costa Rica they volunteered in schools and churches, and then decided to spend a month in Guatemala to volunteer in a home for malnourished children. www.casajackson.com. They are also helping serve food in a homeless shelter. Not only are Altha and I looking forward to seeing where they are ministering, but we plan to visit a girls’ orphanage/school as well. You can find out about the orphanage at www.shadowofhiswingsorphanage.org
Esther and John’s volunteer work for the poor and needy reveals their heart of compassion. As you can imagine we are very proud of them. They are feeding babies, changing diapers and serving meals to the homeless. I am reminded of those in the Bible who served in places of obscurity where their faithfulness in the little things was proven before God gave them greater authority—David was a common shepherd before he was a king! Remember this when you think your place in God’s kingdom is insignificant!
NOTE:
I will not be posting a blog for the next 9 days. Please pray for our protection. Guatemala has the highest tourism crime rate in Latin America. Like the orphanage we will visit, however, we will be hidden safely under the shadow of His wings.
Esther and John’s volunteer work for the poor and needy reveals their heart of compassion. As you can imagine we are very proud of them. They are feeding babies, changing diapers and serving meals to the homeless. I am reminded of those in the Bible who served in places of obscurity where their faithfulness in the little things was proven before God gave them greater authority—David was a common shepherd before he was a king! Remember this when you think your place in God’s kingdom is insignificant!
NOTE:
I will not be posting a blog for the next 9 days. Please pray for our protection. Guatemala has the highest tourism crime rate in Latin America. Like the orphanage we will visit, however, we will be hidden safely under the shadow of His wings.
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