Sunday, April 28, 2013

On My Heart . . .

At church last night, a song roused my spirit.  We were singing about the power of Jesus' name, and one line struck me--

The fatherless, will find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
I usually get a bit teary when thinking about the fatherless these days.  I have seen so many of them, and while our country attempts to help the fatherless, those who do not have a father in other countries struggle. 
Naturally, my mind turns to adoption: That's it. We have to get better at adoption.  We must give rest to the fatherless in the world.  But, that is unrealistic. Not because God can't do it, but because God uses all circumstances and situations in people's lives to bring them closer to Him.  While He has the power to set the solitary into families, while He urges us to care for the fatherless in our midst, He does not promise a traditional family for each person. 
He does, however, promise His family to all who would believe in His great name.  He promises to be a Father and brother to them; He promises to adopt them and make them heirs in His family.  And, so, the thing we can do is to show them Jesus.  God alone can give them rest.
For six months, even while raising funds for the beds and education, I have wanted to buy Bibles for the children in the orphanage.  They will never be adopted--all 50+ of them are cared for by one woman.  They are truly the fatherless.  But, the logistics had not worked out.  I honestly did not know how to get 50-60 Bibles over there, and buying them here would cost quite a bit of money.  On my last visit to the DRC, I was having dinner in a missionaries' home. On the table, there sat a French Bible (the children are learning French in school).  I learned that the Bibles cost $10.00 and can be purchased there in the DRC (no shipping or customs need be involved).
So, my sincere hope is to bring the Word of God to those children when I visit them on our final trip.  I would love each child to have his/her own Bible--to read of the majesty of God, the power of Christ, and the wisdom of the Spirit. In asking whether this would be helpful, an American friend told me that she remembers one only boy had a Bible, and he carried it with him, even though it was tattered and worn. This could be the greatest gift they ever receive: the good news of Christ. 
If you would like to purchase a Bible for one of the children at the orphanage and can donate $10.00, I welcome your partnership.  The easiest way would be to give on the link to the right of this post. If you would like to mail the donation, you can do so at 2395 Glen Ridge Drive, Highland Village, Texas 75077.
I will end with Romans 10: 14-15--
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"