DIRECTOR'S BLOG

Dr. Sam Martin

But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. Acts 12:16

Isn’t that an interesting scripture? When they opened the door, they were amazed! Well I want to open the door of AOJ, I want you to have a look behind the scenes, because I want to share a very special ministry we have and which you might want to share in.

The Mission Office is blessed with incredible staff and volunteers. Folks who give themselves daily to further the work God has entrusted to us and it is an incredibly busy place. On a daily basis we attend to the needs of children and their families in the areas where we work. We seek to keep sponsors informed and answer all their questions and to be honest, some days the phone rings of the hook. We also attend to letters from Sponsors to their children and vice-versa, and of course arrange translations and so much more.

Then we have the financial work. Receiving, documenting, depositing gifts from donors and making sure every penny is accounted for and used for the purpose given. Then there are the bank reconciliation, transfer of funds overseas, seeking the best exchange rates. Each and every child has his or her own account and this is monitored faithfully. Add trips to the bank, meeting with Auditors etc., and you perhaps can grasp a little of the magnitude of the work.

The Mission as you know facilitates and organizes Mission Service opportunities for groups and individuals. This is an intensive area of work not only planning dates and arranging flights, but addressing legal and Insurance requirements, making sure Police checks and the like are done and working with teams and Guatemala on projects etc.

Now what I have written does not give a full picture of what goes on behind the scenes, it is just a glimpse, but what I really want you to be aware of is ‘our prayer ministry!

It is no secret we could not do what we do without prayer! We need God’s help, we need His wisdom and strength. We pray for all the children in our care, we pray for our staff, we pray for those waiting for help. We pray for funds to meet the needs.

However, our prayer ministry goes beyond that, we pray for individual donors and their families and feel blessed that they trust us to pray for them, and that they feel they can contact us for prayer. Yes, all of our donors are part of the family and when one hurts, we all hurt, when one rejoices, we all rejoice. Barb handles amongst all her other duties the ‘Reception desk’ and often as she talks with those who call, she is asked if we would pray for them and she lists the request, shares it with the staff and prayer is offered. This is one of the most important things we do, and can do for others and perhaps that will amaze you!

Often people ask what they can do for us, they may not be able to work for us, or send funds to help, but we tell them they can pray! Prayer is powerful. It can heal, prayer can give, and it can change lives; Prayer can take us to other countries. As you look behind the scenes at AOJ you will see a staff and people who pray!

Now at the beginning I said “I want to share a very special ministry we have and which you might want to share in,” and it is our prayer ministry as it would be good to take this beyond the office. So think and pray please about:

*A prayer Coordinator. Someone with a computer, who shares our belief in prayer who would collect from us prayer requests and send them out to others. This in a completely confidential way on at least a monthly basis. Could that be you?

* A Prayer Tea. We need people with whom we can share the requests, people who will pray!

Now I am praying I will hear from you!