“I am no longer afraid”
Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, 39 children were sponsored to attend a five-day retreat in Costa Rica during Mission to Children’s Easter outreaches.
Last March, 39 Costa Rican children were sponsored to get out of the city and enjoy God’s presence together at camp. The theme was We are all God’s children, and He will never leave us nor forsake us because many of these children don’t have a father in their lives.
The children enjoyed games and activities they don’t normally have access to, and they had lots of fun bonding with other children and their camp leaders. The camp leaders included several alumni who remembered what camp meant to them when they were young.
When the children arrived at camp, they heard a truth that will forever change their lives: “You are NOT orphans. You have a Father who deeply loves you and will never leave your side.”
Through songs, games, and Bible lessons, the children explored this truth; and little by little, they understood that their existence is not an accident and that God, their Father, has a specific plan for their lives.
After two days at camp, the children were invited to pray and acknowledge God as their Father. The children started telling God, in their own words, how painful it had been to grow up without a father, and how they wanted Him to become their Father.
God’s presence was in that room, and the lives of the children and staff were touched by the Holy Spirit. But one boy in particular caught everybody’s attention.
Santiago is a 7-year-old boy who was easily scared and would cry about everything. Although he has two older brothers, he felt alone around other children … until that night. When Santiago started praying, something inside of him changed.
Later that night, the staff built a bonfire for the children. When asked if he knew what a bonfire was, Santiago answered: “Yes, it’s what God put inside my heart tonight.” The next morning, Santiago shared, “I am no longer afraid because I have a Father who will always be with me.”
“I am no longer afraid because I have a Father who will always be with me.”
God used generous friends like you to offer precious children like Santiago something they’d never experienced before – and their lives have been transformed. Now they know they’ll never have to face life’s challenges alone!
Summer News: Thanks to you, Easter outreaches transform lives
Your support enabled Mission to Children to engage in many different Easter outreaches around the world. Here’s just a glimpse of their impact on young lives …
Near Davao, Philippines: 35 teenagers were sponsored to join a group of 739 youth on a Christ-centered retreat. The camp’s Breaking Free theme addressed generational bondages, curses, soul ties, and other evil activities. “God moved in miraculous ways,” said Julie, an MTC leader. “Many children were set free from bondage in their lives.”
Kajiado Child Care Centre, Kenya: 80 disabled children were treated to a wonderful feast and given their very own Bible. Sempeta, a 9-year-old girl, said, “I memorized Psalm 139:14, ‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Jesus loves me the way I am. I am not disabled in His eyes. He loves all children in the world.”
“Psalm 139:14, ‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Jesus loves me the way I am. I am not disabled in His eyes.” – Sempeta, a 9 years old, Kenya
Bangalore, India: Children who have disabled parents are often ostracized in India – and many of the children in the Mission to Children orphanage have blind parents. These blind parents were invited to a special Easter dinner and honored in front of their children. It was a very special time of showing God’s love to marginalized children and families.
Outreaches like these are only possible because of the gifts of friends like you. Thank you for empowering children to step beyond their poverty and embrace their true value in Jesus!
What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What To Do?
Crossroads. Who hasn’t been there? Are you facing crossroads this week? Perhaps even today, do you need to make a difficult decision that may create significant long-term consequences? What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
It’s an ancient dilemma, chronicled as far back in time as that fateful day in Genesis 3, when Eve and Adam made relationship-shattering choices. The devastating effects continue to affect us, thousands of years since then.
Does God step back at those moments and leave us to face our crossroads alone? Thankfully, no, He is not absent. The scriptures affirm that omnipresent God is with us (Matthew 28:20). Nor is He silent. He provides guidance. Note Jeremiah 6:16:
Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.
If God is truly the God in the Bible, our response to any situation we face is more important than the situation itself.
The NIV translates God’s opening phrase like this: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths.” Look where? As our founder often used to say on radio, “Keep looking up!”
God’s action calls for our reaction. We dare not rush through that intersection. We are responsible to stop, stand, and seek the good and ancient path God has prepared for us. To succeed at this, we must grow in wisdom, humility, and courage.
And we must have deep convictions about God! “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). For us to walk wisely, we need: (1) a firm conviction that He is who the Bible says He is, (2) bold faith that believes His ways are best, and (3) a calm resolve to follow those ancient and good ways. This is practical, radical, lifestyle worship: If God is truly the God in the Bible, our response to any situation we face is more important than the situation itself.
What we need so much ourselves is what we need to cultivate in the children, youth, and adults we influence—whatever their situation. I believe that with all my heart. Thank you for reaching out to them with me through the Mission to Children.
