Swaziland, Africa, May 2004.
In a country that competes annually for number one AIDS infested country in the world, child abuse and neglect run rampant. Myths like “you can cure AIDS by sleeping with a virgin” lead to numerous rapes of little girls, sometimes three years old and younger.
We were leaving an orphanage, riding in a jeep, headed back to camp for the night. This is the night that would change how I view ministry for the rest of my life. The founder of the orphanage was telling us some of the children’s stories. One little boy’s mother had died of AIDS. Because his current step-father did not want to be bothered with raising a child, he threw his step-son into a sewage pit. He would throw food into the pit on occasion. By the time that the authorities found the young child, disease and waste was embedded into the little boy’s skin. Instead of shaming the step-father, the story in the newspaper was about the “Crocodile-skin kid.” I asked, “What did the authorities do about this?” The answer, “Nothing.” Other children had been raped by pastors. Church was not even a safe place. When I asked, “Are the majority of pastors immoral?” another shocking answer: “Yes.” Both of these one word answers broke my heart. I couldn’t eat. I fasted and prayed and cried and prayed and begged God to give me an answer. I got up at 4:30 the next morning and continued to pray. This time God answered – “You are.” It was at that moment that I realized that what I was doing, though seemingly small and insignificant was all a part of God’s magnificent plan of redemption.
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.” – African Proverb
The Lottie Moon offering is in full swing. The global economic situation has affected us all, but I would ask you to give sacrificially this year. All that you give to Lottie Moon goes directly to the work overseas. Last year’s giving set a new record. We want you to know that the money you gave last year funded the work which resulted in 565,967 new baptized believers and 26,970 new churches worldwide. Praise God! We hope this year sets another new record, but even with increased giving, the buying power of the U.S. Dollar has declined drastically. Investments in the US may be unpredictable, but investing in the Kingdom will never fail and the reward will be beyond anything this world can give. How are you a part of the answer?
~andi graig for the Missions Team