Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity.
From Hosanna by Christy Nockels
In the book of John, chapter 21, starting with verse 15 we see an exchange between Jesus and Peter. Jesus asks Peter three times, “do you love me?” Each time Peter responds with, “Yes, Lord, you know I do.” Jesus then says, three times, “feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”
Jesus asked Peter three times, “do you love me?” as an affirmation of Peter’s love, once for each time he had denied Jesus.
Jesus then made a request, “feed my lambs, feed my sheep” – if you truly love me, then feed my sheep. Jesus is our Shepherd - we are His sheep. He knew He would be returning to the Father soon and He was charging Peter and by extension all of us to feed His lambs – to care for people. He said it three times – because it is that important to Him.
As Christians, we are called to look after the orphans and widows in their distress. (James 1:27) What that looks like in each of our lives will be different according to where we are in our lives and walk. God calls certain people to the mission field by putting such a burden on their hearts for a particular group of people that they must go. They are the ones who answer the call to go to Africa, India, and Asia, any place on the planet where people are hurting and need to feel the love of Jesus coming through His people. They bring love and compassion. They see the physical needs for shelter, food, medical care and education and set about to provide it. A monumental task for those whom God sends. The burden was never intended to be theirs alone but to be shared.
Hey Warrior Kids! is committed to praying for and providing financial assistance to groups working on behalf of children around the world who have been and will be rescued from exploitation and abusive situations. Most are orphans. Most have been victims of poverty. Without the intervention of people who are willing to answer the call to rescue God’s little ones, they would have little hope.
Two groups we support and would like to tell you about are LightBridge International and The International Children’s Network.
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
LightBridge International sends and supports missionaries working in Thailand, Cambodia and the United States. We commend the work of the Lightbridge Missionaries, including Mark and Melva Cody. As they entered retirement age, they felt God leading them to serve as missionaries to Thailand. Six years ago they started the Blossom Home Orphanage by rescuing children off the busy streets of Chaing Mai. These children would sell flowers to tourists while stopped in the heavy traffic, going from car to car, hoping to make a little money. A very dangerous situation for these children, not only in the possibility of being hit by a car but also the risk of being abducted into the thriving child sex trade that is prevalent in the area.
Mark and Melva were called, they went, they saw a need and they filled the need. Today there are two Blossom Home Orphanages. The children are being cared for in a home setting and being provided a Christian education. They were rescued and their lives changed because someone cared.
To find out more about Blossom Home and the work of LightBridge International click on http://www.lightbridgeonline.org/.
Matsiko Means Hope
The International Children’s Network helps children in Uganda, Peru and the Philippines.
My first contact with this group came by way of a phone call in September 2009. A friend from church called to tell me about a children’s choir from Uganda that was touring the U.S. There had been some confusion in regards to their accommodations and they would be arriving in Denver the next day with no place to stay. He asked if I would be willing to host a few of the children for a few days. As the buses arrived at the church we met the most delightful group of kids. Broad smiles gave no hint of the poverty each child had been rescued from.
ICN goes into the bush of Uganda and rescues children from the direst of circumstances. Some of these children are taught to sing and dance. They are then given the opportunity to become a member of the Matsiko Children’s Choir. A new choir is formed every year and then brought to the U.S. to tour. The purpose of the choir is to raise the awareness of the plight of children around the globe. These children become ambassadors for all children in need.
We had three beautiful little girls come to stay with us, Jackie, Jane and Rodah. In a very short time they had become a part of our family. It makes me smile to remember their request for waffles every morning. Lots of waffles! Each night they would climb into the big bed they shared and invite me to climb in with them. We would curl up and read stories together. Then each of them would take a turn to pray and thank God for all the many blessings they had received.
The Matsiko Children’s Choir tours the U.S. annually. They are an amazing group of kids and I encourage you to invite them to your church or school.
The International Children’s Network cares for the children they rescue through university or vocational training giving them the opportunity to have a life that would not have been possible otherwise.
The following is a quote from Don Windham, President of The International Children’s Network:
“It is in the perspective we view these children, isn't it? I look at them and see a possible cure for cancer, hope for the future and a real resource we have not even benefited from. In Peru, these children become shepherds of Alpacas and other animals for landowners who make them into indentured servants. However, we do know what God made one lowly viewed shepherd boy into, don't we? Possibly the greatest king the world has ever known.”
To find out more about ICN click on www.icnchildren.net.
Join with us in helping children around the world or across town. Each of us working together can make a difference in the lives of children.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8
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