In our work caring for orphaned and troubled children, we see the heart of the Gospel. If the Gospel is God doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves, then when we reach out and care for children who are orphaned or in need, when we love them, feed them, teach them, and provide for them, we are doing for them what they cannot do for themselves. Understanding that drives home the beauty of the love God has for us.
When we work with orphans, we reflect on what God has done for us. When we reflect on what God has done for us, we want to do a better job of caring for orphans, and on and on. It is through this beautiful cycle of loving and being loved that God is most glorified.
This has been a fantastic year for us in ministry. We have started to see the fruit of 12 long years of seeding, watering, and tending to the hearts and lives of those God brought us here to serve.
At the orphanage Fundaniños, where we've worked for the last 7 years, we have been blessed to be a part of the lives of countless children; we have seen them come to Christ, discipled them with the Bible, taught them life skills, seen them leave, strike out on their own, and, most importantly, been there for them when they need help. We gave them a place to stay when things didn't work out, helped them find work and get back on their feet, and ensured they knew that we, like God, would never give up on them. Tim has also had the opportunity to play a more significant role in the home, assisting with public relations, fundraising, strategy, and the independence program and helping children transition out of the house.
Our vocational training programs have been a resounding success. In our woodworking classes, young children have honed their skills to craft pens and other crafts. Our engineering classes have equipped students with CNC engineering and manufacturing knowledge. The culinary arts classes have taught them to prepare deliciously healthy meals and pastries. We are not just 'teaching them to fish' but also providing them with the tools to lead productive lives.
But as crucial as our classes are, what matters most is the time we spend with them, it allows us to build meaningful relationships, through which we can counsel them, speak into their lives, and point them to God.
At the Precious Moments School and Orphanage, the teachers we sponsor have done an excellent job teaching and ministering to children from one of the city's roughest and most dangerous parts. For the second year in a row, the teachers have run the computer classes in our classroom there, and over 150 students are being trained. In addition, we launched afternoon classes for students who need extra tutoring and want to advance their tech skills.
But the most exciting aspect of our ministry there has been seeing the ladies from our local church come alongside us to help run vacation Bible school for the children, assisting with everything from planning, organization, and activities to teaching classes that make it such a success. The spiritual growth in the lives of these children has been incredible.
It has been a fantastic year, but what excites me most? It's what God has in store for us this next year. We've not seen half of it. So, to all of you who have made our work possible through your prayers, encouragement, and support, Thank you! We couldn't have done it without you.
If you would like to partner with us this coming year, we would love to have you walk alongside us as lives are changed, hearts are restored, and God is glorified as His people turn to Him.
댓글