As I slowly remove myself from American consumerism, the blinders are being lifted to see just a tiny snapshot into the needs in other people's lives.
First reaction has been: Man, I have it good!
Which is fine, I suppose. Contentment is a good thing, right? And I could definitely use more of it in my life.
But more recently, I am discovering another reaction. One of concern for others who don't have it so good, and realizing, Hmmm... maybe I should do something about that.
I'm realizing this "new" response is a first step to doing something about it, and putting 1 John 3:17-18 into action.
We've found one small way of doing this. Of helping someone see Christ. Of using the world's goods that we have to help someone in need.
Her name is Poojitha. She's six. Her father died from an accident less than two years ago, and her mom now works as a "day laborer" to provide for her and her sister. They live in India in a culture where a single mom is not likely to remarry--no man wants the financial burden of kids that aren't his. Especially daughters who will later need to be married off.
Poojitha was five last year when she attended a Christian boarding school that my Grandpa visits and helps out at regularly. A school that provides a safe place for the students to sleep at night and meals and a quality Christian education. All for $30/month or $360/year. We pay twice that for Brylee to go to preschool two mornings a week, basically just for the fun of it!
I am not positive what this school experience is doing for Poojitha or for her mother. But I can imagine. I can imagine how this little contribution helps her mom feel a weight lifted in caring for her family by herself. I can imagine what security and routine and an education and meeting Jesus can do for a little girl who recently lost her dad and doesn't understand why her mom has to leave her to go to work.
I am thankful to Poojitha for putting a name and a face and a story to the family-in-Christ I've too long neglected.
And I'm thankful for people like my Grandpa who give of their resources (time, energy, money, prayers) to help further God's Word and open their hearts to help others in need. Not only is my Grandpa helping the families in India see Jesus in a real way, he is also a witness to people like me, who get all comfy in our lives and might otherwise forget that God gives us "the world's goods" that we might help others.
Here's how we can help our family-in-Christ in India...
There are children that currently need sponsorship to attend this Christian school in India. It only costs $30 per month or $360 per year to provide room, food, uniform and tuition for a student.
There are also a variety of projects that need funding...
A water purification system to provide good drinking water
Desks for classrooms (many students sit on the floor)
Chalkboards for the classrooms
Bookshelves and other essentials for library development
Bibles for the students
For more information on sponsoring a child, contact:
Mr. Alwyn Mark
acioffice//at//sud-adventist.org
or visit www.acichild.com.
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But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
{1 John 3:17-18}
