Our friends with Mission India run Bible Clubs throughout a struggling nation. Children are welcomed into safe, loving environments where they receive help with schoolwork and learn about Jesus. Such gatherings are havens of life in poor rural areas and in the slums where millions live in the cities of India.
Growing up in such a slum, Rani heard singing one day and followed the alleys until she found the source. Welcomed into the group, Rani not only started doing better in school, she discovered the One who created her and loves her. Leaders discovered Rani’s beautiful voice and now she leads other children in singing praises to the true God… in a land where thousands of false gods are worshipped.
No matter the continent, some of my favorite life experiences are playing with children and telling them about the One who loves them most. Wherever you go, kids are kids… with a love of activity, an abundance of curiosity, and an uncanny ability to see through hypocrisy.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36-37)
Jesus had compassion on everyone, but He took special note of children. His heart still breaks as He sees kids digging through garbage dumps to find something to eat… or children abused by adults who take advantage of the weak… or little ones who never get to hear about the love of the Heavenly Father because of false religions and systems propagated by the evil one.
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.’” (Matthew 9:37)
Lord, give us Your eyes and Your heart of compassion. Let us feed the hungry, heal the sick, teach the children, resist evil, and proclaim the Good News to all the sheep that are without a Shepherd. Amen.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.’ When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.” Matthew 19:14-15