Even though the following article by a BUMC member is also being published in this week's In Step newsletter, we want to feature it on our blog as well. Christians sometimes take relief work for granted, while society often takes Christians working in relief equally for granted. As Larry Beer's article about Global Hope shows, taking things for granted leads to inaction, which is a stance none of us can afford to take.
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Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.
Matthew 25:40
It happens to all of us! We all become desensitized to the suffering of others. Whether we see starving children on a TV commercial or see a family on the news devastated by a father’s murder in the local area, we all become “used to” seeing such things.
In modern times with education and media, Christians can no longer live in blissful ignorance of the great suffering that exists in the world. And with organizations like Global Hope right in our church and community, we no longer have a valid excuse not to do something—not when it’s so easy.
Global Hope is an organization with origins here at BUMC. They provide ongoing support for abandoned Romanian children, or Houses of Hope (Christian family-style homes). Randy Jessen, a former pastor here at BUMC, founded the organization in 1996 and together with caring members of the community have established a presence in Romania that has endured for more than 10 years! The Romanian arm of ministry provides long-term care for 22 children by providing stable homes, Romanian parents who care for them, and the gospel of Christ.
Global Hope has also extended its loving arms to Kenya to support children who either have HIV/AIDS or whose parent(s) died of HIV/AIDS. Twenty-five children live in a simple home called Hope for Orphans Rehabilitation Center (The Rescue Center), which has no electricity or running water.
The Rescue Center was founded by Christine Wambui, a woman whose sister died of HIV/AIDS and whose son was subsequently orphaned. Christine decided to care for her nephew and became aware of the multitude of other children in the same condition—many of whom do not have the good fortune of an extended family. What happens to them? Fortunately for the children for whom she cares, there is The Rescue Center. However, healthy and abundant food such as vegetables, fruit and meat are luxuries they cannot afford. Medical care is also limited. There are schools but resources are limited and the cost of high school is prohibitive to most.
While the phenomenon of desensitization and ignoring even the most horrible and unfair of situations is natural to the human condition, by paying attention and allowing ourselves to care, it can become unnatural to the Christian condition. Please consider contributing to Global Hope and to these disadvantaged children. Ninety-five percent of contributions go directly to supporting these children in Romania and Africa without parents and with so little else.
In early November, a team of missionaries from multiple Colorado churches will be traveling to The Rescue Center in Kenya. BUMC participants are Joyce Genord, Joe Lynch, and Larry Beer. The team will be involved in a variety of projects such as constructing a dining area, kitchen, playground set, new beds, and a drainage system.
If you are interested in joining, there are two spots left or there is much you can provide—clothes, toys, school supplies and money for nourishment and even education*. For more information, please visit the Global Hope table after Sunday service or the displays in the hallway next to the chapel. Joyce, Joe and Larry would love to give you more information and even have you as part of the mission team!
************************************************
Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.
Matthew 25:40
It happens to all of us! We all become desensitized to the suffering of others. Whether we see starving children on a TV commercial or see a family on the news devastated by a father’s murder in the local area, we all become “used to” seeing such things.
In modern times with education and media, Christians can no longer live in blissful ignorance of the great suffering that exists in the world. And with organizations like Global Hope right in our church and community, we no longer have a valid excuse not to do something—not when it’s so easy.
Global Hope is an organization with origins here at BUMC. They provide ongoing support for abandoned Romanian children, or Houses of Hope (Christian family-style homes). Randy Jessen, a former pastor here at BUMC, founded the organization in 1996 and together with caring members of the community have established a presence in Romania that has endured for more than 10 years! The Romanian arm of ministry provides long-term care for 22 children by providing stable homes, Romanian parents who care for them, and the gospel of Christ.
Global Hope has also extended its loving arms to Kenya to support children who either have HIV/AIDS or whose parent(s) died of HIV/AIDS. Twenty-five children live in a simple home called Hope for Orphans Rehabilitation Center (The Rescue Center), which has no electricity or running water.
The Rescue Center was founded by Christine Wambui, a woman whose sister died of HIV/AIDS and whose son was subsequently orphaned. Christine decided to care for her nephew and became aware of the multitude of other children in the same condition—many of whom do not have the good fortune of an extended family. What happens to them? Fortunately for the children for whom she cares, there is The Rescue Center. However, healthy and abundant food such as vegetables, fruit and meat are luxuries they cannot afford. Medical care is also limited. There are schools but resources are limited and the cost of high school is prohibitive to most.
While the phenomenon of desensitization and ignoring even the most horrible and unfair of situations is natural to the human condition, by paying attention and allowing ourselves to care, it can become unnatural to the Christian condition. Please consider contributing to Global Hope and to these disadvantaged children. Ninety-five percent of contributions go directly to supporting these children in Romania and Africa without parents and with so little else.
In early November, a team of missionaries from multiple Colorado churches will be traveling to The Rescue Center in Kenya. BUMC participants are Joyce Genord, Joe Lynch, and Larry Beer. The team will be involved in a variety of projects such as constructing a dining area, kitchen, playground set, new beds, and a drainage system.
If you are interested in joining, there are two spots left or there is much you can provide—clothes, toys, school supplies and money for nourishment and even education*. For more information, please visit the Global Hope table after Sunday service or the displays in the hallway next to the chapel. Joyce, Joe and Larry would love to give you more information and even have you as part of the mission team!
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* To donate money, designate a gift for Global Hope along with your regular offering on Sunday or via online banking.
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