By Mark Gumm
On my recent trip to Ethiopia I had the joy of going to visit orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27) with one of our church partners. I met Helen, a 13 year old girl who lives with her mother, two brothers, four sisters, and the baby brother of one her older sisters. Helen’s father died nine months ago, leaving behind Helen’s sick mother, Alemitu, with no source of income to care for seven children and a grandchild.
Repi Kale Heywet Church, a World Orphans partner church outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has identified this family as one of the neediest in the community, and have been able to help them through the Home Based Care (HBC) program. Through the visitation and encouragement of the HBC workers and church members, the family and their neighbors have heard about the love of Jesus Christ and seen it lived out in practical ways. Helen and some of the other children now look forward to their long walk to go to Sunday school at Repi Church on the weekend.
The HBC program is funded by a U.S. World Orphans partner, allowing the church in Ethiopia to help meet the physical, spiritual, educational, and emotional needs of 20 of the neediest children in their community. The church uses the funding to provide things like clothing/shoes, food, school materials, school fees, basic medical treatment, emotional counseling, and spiritual development programs to meet the needs of these orphaned and vulnerable children.
Thank you to all the members of the churches, small groups, businesses, and individuals who continue to give generously and faithfully to support families with orphaned and vulnerable children like Helen and allow the church to share the love of Christ with those who are truly in need.
If you would like to give to World Orphans to help support churches care for orphans in places like Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, China and many other countries, you can give online.
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.”
2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (English Standard Version)
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!