Once again mothers day is here. It’s part of life here, something we celebrate. As children we make little construction paper cards with crayons, glitter and glue, and pick dandelions as if they are long stem roses. Even today, we thank our mothers for all they have done for us and take them out to brunch and bring them actual roses. It would be hard for someone to forget Mother’s day becuase it’s everywhere TV commercials, radio ads, on every store front. It’s really rather ludicrous to think we can thank them for all they have done by buying them a $2.84 card or even a dozen roses or whatever “thing” will “honor” then for all they’ve done.
I was listening to some radio program a couple days ago and they were talking about Mother’s day and a lady called in saying that she had lost her mother and that this mother’s day for her was going to be emotional and difficult. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling but it made me think about my kids…not much of a leap as they are a part of every part of my life and never more than a moment away from my thoughts. What’s it like to know at 5 or 9 that you can never ask your mom another question? What’s it like to have no one to help you grow up? To hug you when you have a bad day at school? Or to make your favorite meal when you fall off your bike and skin your knees? What is it like to watch your mom die of an illness you don’t understand and fear? What’s it like to have relatives discussing at the funeral who is going to “have” to take you? What’s it like to be treated as a servant and to work long hours for your Aunt and Uncle who have now become your only hope for food and shelter? What’s it like to be 7 and have no childhood, facing daily abuse and guilt trips for “burdening” the people begrudgingly for you. Plagued daily by memories of life before…before mom got sick and died…before your childhood ended.
There are so many orphans. I’ve seen estimate for sub-sahara africa that say there may be as many 48 million orphans in that area alone. 48 million. It’s beyond understanding or belief. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed. But what our reponse from that state of disbelief says a lot about what we believe about our God and His call on us as His people. Do we allow that overwhelmed feeling to make us impotent and keep us from doing anything or do we allow that disbelief to make us angry about the state of things and prod us into action?
As followers of Christ we are called to model our lives after Jesus. When the children approached him he didn’t hold himself as too important for them. No, he welcomed them with opened arms and chided those who sought to stop them. We reach out to them and seek to ease their pain. We put our security on the line and get our hands dirty helping kids that have no responsibility for their situation; kids who have no voice or influence to fight for themselves. What is the Lord calling YOU to? Can you pray for one of the kids? Can you help us financially provide for them? Can you host a African Dinner and let me tell your friends about what AIM is doing in Kenya? Maybe something bigger than that?
We as AIM have taken on these kids. We are their family but we can’t do it alone. We need people who are willing to be monthly, consistent supporters. We would like to reach out and help other orhans as well but we are unable to do that until we have people coming along side us and saying they are willing to help.
It all boils down to what we believe about our God. In James He lays it out clearly: Religion that the Lord accepts is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. The orphans are in distress. What are YOU doing about it?
To financially support the orphanage:
Adventures in Mission
6000 Wellspring Trail
Gainesville, GA 30506
Make a note that it’s for the Kenya Orphanage fund.
or contact me directly about having an automatic withdrawl form or to see how to be involved in other ways: [email protected]
