For the Children
Children have always held a very special place in my
heart. After I left the public school classroom, I was often asked if I
missed teaching. The answer is that I don’t know yet. Though I’ve been
home with my own children for almost 15 years, I continue to be involved
in the world of children. I’ve taught “Friday School” for the
umbrella school we attend for the past 10 years. I’ve taught kids at
church and served on staff for a church as Director of Children’s
Ministries. (Did this job as a volunteer a couple of times, too.) I’m
not trying to give my resume; I’m simply making a point. Kids are
important to me. I don’t know if I miss teaching, because so far I
haven’t quit! :o)
In my interactions both on the Internet and at
conferences, I’ve met some amazing people who pour out their lives for
children. It occurred to me that many of you also have a heart for kids
and might want to learn more about these ministries. That’s why I
developed this page—to let you in on the beautiful things some friends
of mine are doing to take care of the children. Check them out!
Orphans
First
Orphans
First, started by Janey DeMeo is a ministry expressing God's heart to
hurting children. Their website offers stories of specific children and
ministries to children all around the world. You
can also subscribe to receive periodic prayer requests.
This prayer
newsletter is sure to touch your heart and you’ll be blessed as you pray
for children from all around the world.
When I met Janey at a writer’s conference in May of
2005, I was immediately drawn to her and her deep heart for the children.
It wasn’t long before I was determined to do an article on her ministry.
My original idea was to say nice things about her work in hopes that
people might contact Orphans First and become prayer warriors and/or
financial supporters for the ministry. Instead, the interview took an
unexpected turn, and I realized I had much to learn from Janey about
entering the suffering of others and trusting God to care for your heart
in the process. (You can view this article, called “Teach
Your Child To Identify with Those Who Suffer”)
A
Child to love
Periodically, I get inquiries about information on
adoption. If you want to read how one courageous woman opened her home to
many beautiful children with special needs, you’ll love this precious
website. Over the years, Rosemary
J. Gwaltney has opened her home to children. You can find their pictures,
their stories, and parts of Rosemary’s journey at this site. If you’ve
ever considered adoption, especially of special needs kids, this is a
wonderful place to start learning. Or, if you haven’t considered
adoption, but just need your heart touched today with the things that
brush the heart of the Father, this site is worth your time.
Amani
ya Tuu
This beautiful site tells heart-rending stories of
African women who’ve suffered incredible abuse, dislocation, and loss,
but have found their hope in Christ and through Amani ya Tuu. Amani ya Tuu
trains displaced African women to create beautiful products from toys to
purses to quilts. These products are sold so that the woman can support
themselves (and often their children or younger siblings.) These products
make wonderful gifts. I have a story precious to my heart that involves
Amani ya Tuu. Their wares were displayed at a writer’s conference I
attend and I really wanted to purchase something from them for the girls
in my Bible study class. I had on money. While I looked at the products a
writer friend slipped up behind me and said, “my husband surprised me
with a gift. For years we worked as missionaries and I never had spending
money, but this year he found some extra and slipped it in my purse with a
note. It’s more than I need. I’d be honored if you’d buy something
with part of my money.”
I often think of that story when I think of giving.
God sure blessed a bunch of people with that little stash of cash. My
friend was blessed by her husband. I was blessed by my friend. The girls
in my class were then blessed by my purchase. And all that money spent
went to support the amazing woman in Africa who made the products. Isn’t
it beautiful how God multiplies His gifts?
The next year Amani ya Tuu was represented at the
same conference. I bought myself one of their beautiful dolls and God used
the doll to open an opportunity for me to share about the ministry of
Amani ya Tuu at my church. I keep the doll in my livingroom where she sits
to remind me to pray for the courageous women of Amani ya Tuu, Woman who
have overcome incredible odds and learned to love beyond intense pain.
Sometimes I pray generally for the ministry. Other times I pray that God
will specifically bless each person who had a part in my handmade doll,
from the woman purchased the textiles, to the one who dyed the fabric, to
the woman who sewed her clothes, to the one who embroidered her eyes. This
is also a great visual for children to teach children to pray for those
they haven’t yet met. Perhaps you’d like to purchase a toy for your
child and use it to help teach him to pray.
Please
take time to check out this site. You’ll love it. And next time you want
a unique present for someone, please consider shopping with Amani ya Tuu.
