Easter is arriving a bit earlier than usual in 2013, on the 31st of March. This means that now is the time we prepare to host Resurrection dinners for needy—often destitute—children in many underprivileged countries around the world.
Easter reminds me of new life! As I look around I see days lengthening, winter ending, flowers awakening, and green emerging across the landscape. It is as God designed: empowering new life to appear across His creation.
As I look back, I imagine the power of God flowing into the body of Messiah and giving Him new life more than 2,000 years ago! In Ephesians 1:18–20, Paul prays that the eyes of Christ-followers will see and understand the hope of God, the inheritance of God, “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places . . .”
As I look ahead at the lives of children and adults who we have the opportunity to influence, I see the hopelessness and eternal poverty of their future without God’s intervention. Without power from Him, there is no new life for them.
But hear the good news: The power of God that raised Messiah from the dead can raise those children and adults from the dead.
Here’s how it happened last Easter for three of our Indian colleagues: Jacob, Selina, and Henry. Jacob and his sister Selina superintend a children’s home near Rajahmundry. As soon as they knew we could provide Resurrection dinners, they prayed, planned, and prepared good food and God’s message. Then they served about 1400 kids living in a slum, a colony of lepers, 150 “barefoot pastors,” about 1600 criminals languishing in prison, and 400 prison officials!
On the day of the Resurrection dinner, many young people from our children’s home volunteered to serve alongside Jacob, Selina, and Henry. They put up a huge tent to shade the children from the hot sun, helped prepare food, and assisted in other ways.
A Father Returns, Raju’s Story
Raju, an 8-year-old boy at one of the Resurrection dinners, was suffering from a long-term fever and indigestion. His mom had died of HIV/AIDS. His father deserted him. He was alone and fending for himself on the streets.
The story of Jesus moved his heart, the hot meal filled his tummy, and a couple of small gifts made him feel special. And after the Resurrection dinner, his health improved dramatically! Raju’s father heard this news, visited Raju, and became convicted by these acts of love.
Then he came to Jacob to thank the team. Jacob told him of the Mission to Children, and his heart was moved even more.
“If strangers can express such kindness, how can I not show love to my own son?”
Raju’s father moved back to that village with his son. Raju is now off the streets, and they are actively involved in their church. Jacob reports that they still praise God for people they don’t even know who showed them the true meaning of unconditional love through this Resurrection dinner.
That grateful dad was speaking of you.
