Wow! This week so far (three days) I have heard three stories of our brothers and sisters in need of prayer, and a little more.
First there’s Sakineh in Iran. Sham accusations and sham trials are putting her up to be executed; her son and some lawyers are trying to save her, but have been resisted by the government. You can go here to learn more and here to sign an online petition to save her.
Then I learned that Asia Bibi in Pakistan has been sentenced to be executed, because of “blasphemy.” What she did was share the Gospel with her Muslim women neighbors, and told them that Jesus is alive, but Mohammed is dead.
Then just today I learned that a missionary, the friend of another missionary whose blog I follow, drowned this last Sunday. Ben Uskert had gone to save two teenage orphans who were overtaken by a strong undertow. This man left behind his wife and small son, as well as a legacy. Please read his friend’s Tripp’s article as well as this report from Mission Aviation Fellowship, the organization Ben was a part of. And please pray for those hurting from his loss! The light of Christ obviously shone from Ben during his lifetime; even folks who didn’t know him well saw it.
So please remember to lift these circumstances up before the throne; things are rough for these folks right now, just as they have been for us all. There are those times to rejoice with our brethren, and times to weep with them. There are times when nothing we say can make a difference for a suffering friend; all we can do is weep with them and lift them up to God. And these brothers and sisters covet our prayers! There is a time for sorrow, a time to weep, but this too will pass. For now, let’s remember them and ask the Lord to surround them with comfort and renew their strength, and thank Him that He is working in all of this!
Compassion International has taken on the challenge to train up godly leaders in some of the poorest and most corrupt nations. Children sponsored through Compassion are given the chance to enter the Leadership Development Program, to receive higher education based on a Christian worldview. The cool thing is, the kids who enter come out of extreme poverty, and they would not have otherwise even had a chance at higher education if it weren’t for their sponsors. Today, I would like to share two stories of children who have risen out of poverty to become strong leaders who reach out to others with the love of Christ. And this was all made possible by the giving of their sponsors.
As a child growing up near Kampala, Uganda, all Harriet Mutumba Nantumbwe knew was a world where nobody had enough to eat, where children were abused and abandoned. But when 10-year-old Harriet entered the Compassion program, it introduced her to the concept of justice. She experienced life without starvation. And she discovered adults who helped little ones, not hurt them.
Determined to stand up for children, she applied for Compassion’s Leadership Development Program in her senior year of high school. She knew that the God who had given her this dream would also provide a way to fulfill it.
It came through her acceptance into the Leadership Development Program and entrance into a prestigious law school in Uganda. Her sponsor prayed for her as she studied for and passed the bar exam. With her law degree, Harriet now investigates complaints of family abuse with the Uganda Human Rights Commission. And as an LDP graduate, she is finally able to bring justice to the children of Uganda.
“My parents could not afford to sponsor me at the university. I wondered if I should give up my dream. But my LDP sponsors changed all of that. They changed my life. Now, (as a lawyer) I plan to advocate for children out there who cannot speak for themselves.”
Moises Gonzales has made up his mind. He will become a doctor. But he doesn’t want to be a doctor for the prestige or money. “I want to become a doctor so I can talk to my patients about God,” says Moises. “One of my goals is to have a clinic, and I believe God will give that to me!”
Growing up in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras, Moises dreamed of reaching his poverty-stricken community with the hope of Jesus Christ. And the Leadership Development Program, which he enrolled in last year, equips him for just that. “Compassion had a very special impact on my life,” Moises says. “It was through Compassion that I met and trusted Jesus.” He looks forward to the day he graduates because then he will be able to help people in his community heal—physically and spiritually.
“My favorite verse is James 1;12: ‘Blessed is the man who perseveres under trail, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.’ This verse gives me strength and courage!”
Can’t be there, but you can watch the messages online! Have watched Ray’s and some of Todd’s so far. And I just wanted to say that Todd’s message is AWESOME!!! Wow! It is really just great. Check it out here! (link is fixed now)
Just watched another witnessing clip with Ray Comfort from The Way of the Master; the way this man responded at the end is really a beautiful thing; I think this is the best weekly witnessing clip that I have seen in a while! Check it out!
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