If you've ever wondered if your gifts and sponsorships to the Child Survival Program truly make a difference, there are a group of mother's from around the world who have a message just for you.
This is even more poignant for those who are helping support Anslay Church of God Child Survival Program in Mbulu, Tanzania.
After watching the video below for about the second time, my wife suddenly recognized what seemed to be a familiar face. Sure enough, after fetching our sponsorship packet materials she realized that Aurelia Akonaay from the video was of the 35 mothers currently being supported by the Anslay CSP. (She appears at the 1:24 mark.)
It was an astonishing discovery since I'd already planned on posting it anyhow, so seeing and hearing from a person we've been supporting and praying for, was simply icing on the cake!
Though this is a true encouragement in so many ways, the fact remains that many other mothers are waiting to receive the physical and spiritual support that this CSP can provide.
As this Mother's Day draws to a close, would you consider making a one time gift or becoming a monthly sponsor, perhaps in honor of your own mother or grandmother? Click here to make one time gift, or click here to become a monthly sponsor
Your generosity will ensure that Aurelia and others just like her will be able celebrate God's wonderful gift of motherhood for the months and years to come.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Psalm 112
The verses in this passage need no preamble from me, but I wanted to pass them along since my friend Kirk Winter, from Compassion International recently encouraged me to read and pray through them. It's wonderful advice that I'd love to pass along to you as well.
Take joy in the knowledge that God the Father sits on the throne and that there is great blessing as you give in worship to Him.
Praise the LORD.
Blessed are those who fear the LORD,
who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Take joy in the knowledge that God the Father sits on the throne and that there is great blessing as you give in worship to Him.
Praise the LORD.
Blessed are those who fear the LORD,
who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Got Hope?
I don't know where you might find yourself today.
Perhaps you stand at a place of great hope, or maybe you're facing a situation that is so crowded with doubt, pain and worry that you struggle understand what that word truly means, or if real hope is actually attainable at all.
Though we've dedicated this blog to share the stories of needy people who live a world away, the truth is that every human heart sits in a place of great want and destitution.
Binding physical wounds and filling empty stomachs may be noble and beautiful, but if our words compel you to give but don’t ultimately point to the source of life itself, then our efforts are in vain and we leave you in a place of poverty.
Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:27)
What is this food that does not spoil, and how can it feed a soul that hungers for meaning, peace, and yes, hope?
That answer simply rests with Jesus himself.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Maybe you’ve heard this story many times before, but for whatever reason you’ve chosen to fill the hunger in your life through another source. Deep inside you though, the soul’s craving remains.
Though as scripture says, every human heart has a desire for meaning and eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11), it is also clear that God placed that longing in each of our lives to point us back to himself.
Though his call is exclusive…
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
…he promises to fill that emptiness in a way that nothing else ever could.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29)
Hope is real, and it is based upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of all things who sits at the right hand of the Father, and who promises to one day return for those who believe and call upon his holy name.
He lives today. Does he live in your heart?
I urge you not to go hungry for one more day. If you’ve got questions, or would like us to pray for and with you, please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call us directly at 937-671-4965.
Our desire for you remains the same as it does for mothers and their children in Tanzania…to see you released from poverty in Jesus’ name.
This is our greatest hope.
Perhaps you stand at a place of great hope, or maybe you're facing a situation that is so crowded with doubt, pain and worry that you struggle understand what that word truly means, or if real hope is actually attainable at all.
Though we've dedicated this blog to share the stories of needy people who live a world away, the truth is that every human heart sits in a place of great want and destitution.
Binding physical wounds and filling empty stomachs may be noble and beautiful, but if our words compel you to give but don’t ultimately point to the source of life itself, then our efforts are in vain and we leave you in a place of poverty.
Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:27)
What is this food that does not spoil, and how can it feed a soul that hungers for meaning, peace, and yes, hope?
That answer simply rests with Jesus himself.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Maybe you’ve heard this story many times before, but for whatever reason you’ve chosen to fill the hunger in your life through another source. Deep inside you though, the soul’s craving remains.
Though as scripture says, every human heart has a desire for meaning and eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11), it is also clear that God placed that longing in each of our lives to point us back to himself.
Though his call is exclusive…
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
…he promises to fill that emptiness in a way that nothing else ever could.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29)
Hope is real, and it is based upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of all things who sits at the right hand of the Father, and who promises to one day return for those who believe and call upon his holy name.
He lives today. Does he live in your heart?
I urge you not to go hungry for one more day. If you’ve got questions, or would like us to pray for and with you, please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call us directly at 937-671-4965.
Our desire for you remains the same as it does for mothers and their children in Tanzania…to see you released from poverty in Jesus’ name.
This is our greatest hope.
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