Our Blog
The Presence of God is given first place.
"Everybody squirt!" Suddenly 100 women whip out their spray bottles and begin to squirt their neighbor. Shrieking and laughing, we all cool down from the 105 degree heat. OK, back to the teaching... Our first multi-day conference for women is in progress. It's a first for most. A bit tentative and shy at first, they are warming up to the idea of a safe place where camaraderie and fun are core values. They will spend three full days here in a...
Shining Like a Star
As you know, S.T.A.R.S. is the acronym we’ve given those supporting the orphans, widows, and marginalized in India and Rwanda (Shining Together Actively Reflecting the Savior). All of us who follow Jesus are also called to shine like stars to our world. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14–16) Before the invention of GPS, people navigated at night by the stars. Whether on a...
Solomon’s Fine Attire
Jesus referred to Solomon’s attire when He said, “Not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:29). Like one of what? Like the flowers that briefly adorn meadows. God wasn’t impressed with all the expense of Solomon clothes. He found more pleasure in looking at the colorful flowers carpeting the meadows than in peeking into the king’s clothes closet. Our orphans don’t stand in front of packed closets, like Solomon or like many of us, taking time to decide what they will wear that day. They are happy to just have clean clothes that aren’t...
The Power of a Parent
Our partners in India and Rwanda are a lot like parents. They care for these kids willingly, though it is never-ending sacrificial work. In Paul’s last personal letter to Timothy, he mentions two things that Timothy’s mother, Eunice, did that made such a positive impression upon her son. These are the same things our partners are demonstrating before our orphans. And like Eunice, our partners will be highly rewarded in Heaven.First, she demonstrated FAITH. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives...
Prison Breaks
The island of Alcatraz is over a mile offshore in San Francisco Bay. For years, this rock was also the site of a federal prison. Some tried to escape, but no one is known to have been successful because of swift ocean currents, cold water, and sharks. The Bible, however, records miraculous escapes from seemingly impossible conditions. The first one is recorded in Acts 12. King Herod arrested the Apostle Peter and planned to publicly execute him the next day. To ensure Peter’s captivity, that night he was chained to two guards and two sentries stood outside his door. He was...