Dear Supporters,
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
The IPHC’s challenge “to be a Place of Hope and a People of Promise (Isaiah 54:2,3)” inspires us to envision places, people, and opportunities today and tomorrow that require us to be what Christ has called and empowered us to be. In that statement, “TO BE” stretches our perspective of what we CAN DO.
Statistics continue to be a great reminder and motivator to see God-given opportunities. The nine countries I’m involved with have one thing in common: around 25% of their populations are below 14 years old. This number more than exceeds the percentage of youth in the United States. On social media, we see an abundance of humanitarian organizations aiding youth in these impoverished countries. But don’t leave this work to other organizations. Christ’s church has been mandated and filled with His compassion to show up and shift the outcome. Christ’s call is to awaken the eternity He has placed in the hearts of men and women to transform nations.
I’m in awe of how God captured my heart and graced my life to be living where I am and assisting People to People ministries to impact nations through Child Sponsorship, Feed the Hungry, Disaster Relief, Water Wells, Ministry of Medicine, etc. It is such a privilege to work with servant leaders in these nations and see their creativity used to expand ministry opportunities.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM A FEW NATIONS
In the predominately Buddhist Kingdom of Cambodia, Feed the Hungry demonstrates the Church’s motive to bless their communities and gives us favor with local leaders. Initially started as a way to help plant a church, Feed the Hungry gathers adults and children to the church where they can be fed and hear the Good News. This effective tool has proven to grow the local church and make hearts receptive to the Gospel.
In a megacity slum area in India, kids gather weekly for this ministry and moms and others gather on the peripheral watching. They are happy to let their child come to receive simple snacks, and the stories they hear bring them joy. One recent testimony was written out to be shared. I’m pleased to be able to share this with you: “One child’s mother was struggling with a lot of financial burden and family problems, so we encouraged and prayed with her. She later shared she had suicidal thoughts as well, so week after week we prayed with her. She recently said that her perspective has improved and affected her thinking because of the change she has seen in her child’s life.”
Similarly, the Child Sponsorship program enables the local Holiness Academy, a beautiful school and ministry center in Bangladesh, to impact Muslim and Christian children’s lives. There are dorms for children from remote areas enabling them to come, stay, and receive education.
The Holiness Academy.
In Yangon, Myanmar, poor families send their children to Buddhist monasteries where they are daily sent out to collect alms of food from devotees. Acts Children’s Home welcomes children from all walks of life, providing a safe environment and an opportunity to attend school. What a wonderful choice!
WE STILL HAVE A MISSION
I do pray we grasp the critical link we have in seeing the completion of the Great Commission. Thank you for prayerfully considering how the Lord will involve you in one of these ministries. Thank you for your faithful support and prayers on our behalf to the One who provides all we need for this joyous task of preparing for His return.
JEHOVAH bless thee and keep thee;
JEHOVAH cause His face to shine upon thee, and favour thee;
JEHOVAH lift up His countenance upon thee, and appoint for thee – peace;
And they have put My name upon the sons of Israel, and I – I do bless them.
(Num. 6:24-27 Young’s Literal Translation)
Many Blessings,
Debra Crook
