Reaching those who have never heard

Yesterday I was looking over some new bios from Thailand.  As I read the children's stories I was reminded that Thailand is a country deeply rooted in Buddhism.  According to Operation World in Thailand only 1% are Christian and 85% of the population are Buddhist.  One of the children lived in a small village without any Christians rather a Buddhist Temple that was in the center of the town.  Her mother made $30 a month and most of that went for her oldest son to study at the Buddhist Temple. This family depends on a god who does not hear their prayers.  My heart went out to this child and the many other children in the exact same situation because they have no hope for something better. I had to stop and pray that through the child sponsorship program these kids would hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and trust in HIM alone for true life and salvation from sin.

I pray that God would continue to break my heart for the lost.  AMG also has childcare centers in Bangladesh which is 89% Muslim and less than 1% Christian, Indonesia which is 80% Muslim and 15% Christian, then in the Latin countries like Peru out of the 95% Christian the majority of that is Catholic with only 11% Evangelical.  Please pray that as AMG ministers to the children that they would be open to the Gospel of Christ and that God's word would spread to their family, friends, and neighbors - and God would be Glorified!

Lima childcare center...the second time around.

Ryan, my parents, my cousin Nick, and I had a great time at the center in Lima.  We enjoyed the warm sunshine and the many smiling children!  When we arrived the kids at the center they were just about to eat.  What a blessing to hand out plates of hot food to the kids!  

Eating Lunch

Ryan with Xiomara

We then walked to Melanie's home.  Her home is farthest from the center compared to the other sponsored children.  When we arrived I had to ask her twice to be sure the home she was pointing out what in fact her house.  I can't even call it a house...it didn't even have four walls.

 This it...Melanie's home. Her mother has to take their mattress with her every time she leave otherwise it would get stolen. Melanie spends almost all day at the center while her mothers goes from home to home asking if she can do their laundry.  It was hard to take it all in.

Mirco and Gina

After visiting Melanie's home and spending time with her and my sister's sponsored girl Xiomara we went to my parents kids home, Gina and Mirco.  These two kids are as cute as can be and so funny!  It was a joy to meet their parents and see where they live.  I know my parents loved being able to meet the kids they sponsor.  It makes everything much more real.

I think about Melanie everyday and about where she sleeps every night.  My parents and I are going to try and build her a new home with a real walls and a door with a lock.  Somewhere she can be warm and feel safe.  Melanie is so precious to me and Ryan.  I feel so honored to be her sponsor and provide her with food, education, and hope in Christ...with only $28 a month.  

Ryan and I with Melanie...our sponsored Child

Back to Lima

Tuesday February 1st I am going back to Lima.  This time along with my husband and parents.  My parents have been dying to meet their two sponsored children and see the center in Lima and I look forward to being there when they meet.  I can't wait to introduce Ryan and my parents to Lutgarda and her family.  Also, last time I was at the center I met Melanie who Ryan and I now sponsor.  It will be a joy to see her again and introduce Ryan to her.  

We will visit the center on Wednesday the 2nd and spend the rest of our time with my Aunt Julie and her family.  I look forward to every moment.  Especially the food :).  I would appreciate your prayers as we travel and of course as our family visits the center on Wednesday.  It will be an eye opening experience for all of us and I pray that God will use us for His glory as we love on these kids.

Melanie

My parent's sponsored children

What are you going to do this year?

I love the beginning of a new year.  It gives one the opportunity to start over or set news goals to reach.  I felt like last year I was just coasting (although I did finally finish my degree!).  I decided that this year I would set some reachable goals for myself that would grow me and challenge me.  The two I am most excited about it are praying through Operation World and reading the entire Bible.  These are two things I have never done before.  I have read sections of Operation World and of course I have read most of the Bible but never all the way through in one year.  So far I am doing pretty good.  I am already getting more passionate about reaching the lost in the last few weeks that I have been reading Operation World.  I can only imagine the things God will teach me and show me as I read about each country and their need for Jesus.  I decided to read through an NLT Bible that is in chronological order.  So, right now I have been going through Bible stories I haven't heard since I was a kid in Sunday School.  It is so different to read these as an adult and God is teaching me a lot about Himself specifically His sovereignty.

I am looking toward this new year with excitement.  I already have a trip booked to Lima next month with my parents and husband. I can't wait to see my husband and parents meet their sponsored kids and see the childcare center.  I am also planning on going to Guatemala in June.  We have 5 large childcare centers there and I look forward to seeing them and meeting our Guatemalan co-workers.  God is so good.

With all that said I ask for your prayer as I face this new year head on.  I desire to follow God's leadership in my personal life and as I serve at AMG in the Child Sponsorship department.  So...what are your plans for this new year?

Remember the Beginning

Every one goes through hard times. Maybe it is just with one relationship, or with a job, or maybe everything in life is going wrong.  Typically, I run...just look at my track record you will see that it's true.  Part of the reason I ended up in Tennessee at Bryan College is because I wanted to start over in a new place with new people.  Anyway, while I do think that God lead me to Bryan College - sometimes running isn't what God wants us to do.    It feels easier to run away and escape whatever is troubling us.  Most of the time the thing that is causing us to suffer seems so huge that we cannot see any way to possibly fix it.  I believe (and was reminded last week) that during these trails in our lives - no matter what it may be or involve - number 1 God will always be faithful and see us through, number 2 God may be calling us to stay, and number 3 remember God's promises.  Number 3 especially hit me hard last week.  A couple came to the AMG Home Office last week as missionary candidates.  The wife said that her mentor told her to write down the promises she believed God had for her. She told us that she goes back to that list of promises anytime she feels discouraged or troubled.  What an encouragement!  Even through the hard times God's promises still ring true in our lives.  Sometimes we need to remember the beginning and how God brought us to where we are now in order to see through the bad.

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.