Hello!!!
In the Treasure Hunters Bible memory program that we just completed once again at New Life Children’s Home this summer, I try to communicate how valuable, how much of a treasure God’s Words are. I know I can never do the subject justice but that won’t stop me from talking about it.
Personally, a few months ago I spent some time considering a treasure found in the book of Jeremiah, and how it relates to what is going on in my own life and ministries. Jeremiah spent many, many years prophesying about the coming judgment, the harsh earthly realities, that God would have on Judah through Babylon. But then in chapter 30 God tells Jeremiah to write down the words of God into a book, and begin to talk about the hope that Israel and Judah have for the future, that in 70 years they would come out of captivity and once again serve the LORD their God.
I consider who those words were written for, and I think of the children; the children who were taken into captivity, or suffering, all because of the sins of their parents and forefathers. These children were daily living with and suffering from the consequences of their parents’ sins, so God’s words of hope were written in a book for them. Their parents wouldn’t make it out of captivity, but they had something to hope for.
I live and serve, daily surrounded by children living with the consequences of the sins of others; their parents, grandparents, their government, the neighbor down the street, anyone. I am not here to give them hope that one day life here on earth will be easier. I know the reality, that isn’t always the case, but there is hope for them. I get to tell them they have the hope that their Savior brings, the hope of righteousness (Gal. 5:5) and the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
Over this last summer (January – February), God has given me so many opportunities to interact with children and teens in many different ways, sharing with them the hope that they have because of Christ. I continue to teach the Wednesday night children’s class at our church, and due to the fact that it is summer vacation, we have had several visitors. Throughout the school year the pastor likes all of the children’s teachers to sit in the service one Sunday a month, so I take all the classes and we do a big junior church, but I also get the chance to lead junior church all summer. The church’s theme for the year is Reaching New Heights, so we have spent 9 weeks talking about how to have a relationship with God and then how to strengthen that relationship with Him.
I continue to teach my “treasures” (kids) in the town of Manchay each Thursday afternoon. The other week we were talking about how the Word of God can totally change a person’s life (like Josiah), and spend the rest of the time focused on the gospel. Several kids accepted Christ as their Savior and few others acknowledged that they have not done so but want someone to spend more time explaining it to them. Please pray as I focus on following-up with each of the kids from my group. I found out a few weeks ago that they have Bible club with me on Thursdays and the with the Catholic church on Saturday, and that fact is weighing heavily on my heart, so in the next few weeks we will be starting a series geared towards children but that focuses on doctrine. Prayerfully I will also be starting that series in a new kids Bible club that I will be teaching coming up next month. We are just praying right now for someone who is willing and has the time to accompany me to this neighborhood due to safety reasons.
A few other opportunities given to me this summer were the chance to teach English again in the summer school, where we spent time working with English Bible verses and applications, run the Treasure Hunters Bible memory club at New Life Children’s Home, and to be the speaker for the Vacation Bible School at a friend’s church in Manchay. It was such a privilege to be asked to help, and to get to share the stories of David, Esther and Josiah with the children, each lesson leading into the gospel. Several kids acknowledged that they accepted Christ as Savior during the VBS, so please pray as the church seeks to follow up with the children, many of whom were first time visitors.
Great news! I want to make sure you know that funds came in from churches and individuals which have allowed me to purchase the tables and chairs I need for our Bible club in Manchay, as well as to purchase a car. Thank you all so much for your help in that. Already the car has been a HUGE help in ministry, opening up doors for me to be involved in and begin other ministries. Thank you so much. And thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support. Please keep praying for the kids I minister to, and the new opportunities I have in school chapels and the neighborhood Bible club that will hopefully start up soon. It grieves my heart to see the suffering in the children around me, and yet to know they have hope, and to share that hope with them is the greatest privilege.