Monday, June 11, 2007

Are You Changing The World?

It's blogs like this that make every missionary say it is all worth it. It makes every financial supporter say, "Wow, I made a difference." I makes every prayer warrior who really prayed for a ministry or missionary say, "Wow, maybe God does really hear my prayers."

This is a post from the Rehmeyers in Swaziland who work with aids orphans and vulnerable children with a ministry called Children's Cup.

You may remember reading way back about a young girl we met at Madonsa. She looked to be about 10 or 11 and was very sick. When we found out she was the same age as our oldest daughter Gabby, we were shocked. She was slowly dieing from AIDS. Maybe she was born with it, maybe contracted it somewhere through childhood. She had been out of school for years: a combination of being too weak and sick to go and a mom who couldn't make enough money selling vegetables to afford the school fees, uniform or even transport to get her there. She was one of the first kids that Children's Cup was able to help get treated for AIDS by providing emotional support and transport to the Baylor's Clinic in Mbabane. The turn around has been dramatic. She smiles now and looks so much healthier. Teresa and I decided to sponsor her anonymously this year and paid her school and uniform fees through the 'Cup teacher at Madonsa. We received a letter from both her and her mom last week. Her letter reads

"..... In the name of our father Jesus Christ I thank you for sending me to school. You gave me hope in life, without your intervention in my life I think I would have been dead. Thank you very much for taking care of me by sending me to the doctor now I can feel the difference in my life. May God bless you. Never get tired of helping other sick children."

She is in third grade. Her grades are fair (20th in the class of 57). But you know what? I really don't care how she does. She has purpose and worth. Looking at her now vs. last year makes it all worth it. It's your help above and beyond that allows us to step out and do a little extra. So the last line in her letter is really for everyone that supports us in prayer and finances: "I love you and I love God who sent you to my life. From Thobile Lukhele"

If you have never supported a missionary, I encourage you to find one today you can pray for and give financially to so they can go. If God has not called you to "go", then help change the world through supporting someone whom God has "called". I have always had a huge burden for the lost and hurting and starving around the world. I have supported many missionaries and ministries, some only at $10 a month when I had nothing. I even did it when I only made $1500 in a whole year (long story - it was a ministry thing), but God always provided above what I gave.

Read more about the ministry of Children's Cup and consider supporting one of their missionaries. If you have a heart for another part of the world, seek a missionary out in that part of the world. If you can't find one contact me gina@catalystfrance.org and I'll help you find one. If you have a heart for Europe consider Catalyst France or many others I could contact you with. Whatever you do find out what an awesome adventure it is to support a missionary in some way. When you get to heaven you never know who might come up to you and say, "Thank you for giving to that ministry. I would never have heard about Jesus if you hadn't."

5 comments:

danohlerking said...

wow gina. thanks for the awesome endorsement.

you guys are going to rock europe. i can't wait for the day i get to come thru paris and visit y'all's church.

God has the path figured out already.

Jane said...

i'm trying... one heart at a time!

Amy said...

So true, Gina! We are ALL MISSIONARIES if we take that challenge!

Keep up the good work, I can hardly keep up with you reading all these posts!

The Atkinson 6 said...

Me too. Wow.

thank you for sharing and reminding us that each of us can make a difference.

Figueras Life said...

gina, miss you lots, but i know that God is doing some awesome things through you, ken & the family. thank you for letting go of everything & just, well, going. i will, fo-shosky (for sure), try travelling across the atlantic, not only to visit ya'll, but, most importantly, to help. my mom has a friend in england, who has been a missionary for a very long time. i'm sure i'd be able to get her contact info if you're ever in the area or need any help. she's a truly sweet woman of God.

hey, when are we singing together again????????

:-) jane

btw, i found this christian station in england that does a lot of work with reaching the unchurched in a truly "unconventional way". i streamline it through windows media player & listen to it while @ work. you may already have their info, but their website is: www.crossrhythms.co.uk