DIRECTOR'S BLOG

Dr. Sam Martin

"And a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11 v 6

He was sitting doing a crossword in our local coffee shop and when I walked over, he said “come sit for a few minutes.” I did and I noticed his eyes filling up and he was fighting back tears. He looked at me and said: ‘Pastor I have just finished reading ‘The Blessing’ (The story of the Mission) which you so kindly gave to me and I am wondering ‘Why am I here, what can I do? The stories of the children touched me deeply.”

He is a gracious man, a friend from Church who has served the Lord for years. Now almost 80 he is wondering what he can do help! Moved by the testimonies of children helped by the Mission.

We talked for a time, considering various ways he could help and I have to confess, I was deeply moved and began to think about the desperate situation of so many children in our world. First of all, I thought about the words of Jesus in Matthew 18: 1 - 6.

At that time, the disciples came unto Him, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

“And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:1–6.)

Then I remembered little things I had written down pertaining to helping children, let me share a few:

“ When you hold a poor child or your lap, you are holding a nation!” Think about that, the child you help, the child you sponsor is a ‘Nation’

Children, who had been ever so tenderly cared for by faithful workers in a church nursery, were now leaving in the arms of their mothers and fathers. One child turned to the lovely women who had been so kind to them and, with a wave of her arm, spoke the feelings of her heart as she exclaimed, “Goodnight, angels.” How beautiful and I thank all the ‘angels’ who make our ministry possible.”

“At night, when I pull the covers over me, I offer a prayer for those who have no warm bed to go to.” To be honest, I had never thought about that! It caused me to think about: ‘When we eat, pray for those who are hungry!’ When we are sitting in our homes, pray for the homeless! Use your imagination and create a new prayer list!

Of course, we need to turn our prayers into action! We need to reach out and care for the children of the world. We change nations by helping them. Yes my friend asked, “why am I here, what can I do.” What about you? Have you ever thought about sponsoring a child? God has placed you where you are, at this time so you can become His hands and feet!