I know you are daily bombarded with needs. I am, too! Of course we cannot donate to every cause. Oftentimes the need is so huge, so overwhelming, that we simply conclude the little we could do wouldn’t really make a difference.
But below is an appeal from my good friend, Becky Spencer, director of Grand Staff Ministries, that I believe Father wants to use me and you to meet.
Becky has been on faculty at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference every year since 2011 where we’ve asked her to share about her ministry to abandoned, orphaned, and vulnerable children in Swaziland (now eSwatini), Africa. She says,
“They are like little lost lambs.
The Good Shepherd’s staff is grand enough
to care for each one – through you.”
The Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference also is blessed to have a part in Becky’s ministry to these precious children. Indeed, I think it is the emphasis both conferences put on missions that makes us unique.
Please take a couple of minutes to read Becky’s message below, pray for these children, and ask Father how He wants you to help. Just $10 from half of the people receiving this email would not only meet the need of these three youngsters but provide the funds to build another group home. Becky’s vision is big, but we serve an even bigger God.
I must “plead the cause of the orphan” and “defend the rights of the poor.”
Jeremiah 5:28
We are leaving for eSwatini in four days. But Tema’s siblings can’t wait that long!
You might remember that a few weeks ago Tema joined our Shepherd’s Care Family. She’s a 7th grader with 7 siblings, and all have been abused and neglected.
Tema has been crying uncontrollably and for long periods of time. Thobile found out it’s because of so much concern for two of her siblings. She is grateful for the care she is receiving, but she doesn’t feel like she can enjoy it when she knows they’re in so much danger.
We didn’t plan to take on any additional children for Thobile, our “auntie”/helper who agreed to take on the responsibilities of house mama when we had to terminate the former house parents. But she insisted that we simply had to invite Tema to live in the home because of the awful abuse she was enduring.
But we felt we had to say no to taking two more of her siblings. We were told they were boys, and our home is really for girls. We have one boy who is a twin to one of the girls, and he is away at the school for the deaf most of the year.
I just learned day before yesterday that the two siblings in most dire need are also twins–a girl and a boy.
What’s happening to them?Their aunt makes them sleep in a shack without a door on it. They’re left vulnerable to anyone passing by who wants to hurt them.
She also leaves them unattended for a week at a time–without food.
They live too far from us to come to Shepherd’s Care Home for meals.
If we gave them food, it would do little good. Usually in situations like this the food is stolen from them. Besides, they are only in the 3rd grade, and they don’t have access to cooking supplies. Tema has been giving them the change left over from her transport money to ride the kombi to school. She hopes they can find chips or bread to eat on the way home.
We are brainstorming how to help them.
I realized yesterday that the three siblings could stay in one of our bedrooms, which would keep the boy away from the other girls in the home. When Philani, our other boy, is home during breaks, he could also sleep in that room.
But it means raising additional funds to meet their needs. It takes about $1500 for half a year of care for a child in elementary school. We still haven’t raised any funds to take care of Tema, and adding the twins brings it to $4500 we will need to feed them, pay for school fees/transport, provide medical/dental attention, purchase clothing and blankets and towels, and provide utilities/shelter. Just to get through December. Then twice that much will be needed to care for them in 2020.
My “Mama” heart wants to gather up the other four in this family and invite them “home,” too. But the funds have to come from somewhere. We will contact social welfare to let them know we are willing to take the twins.
But meanwhile, I’m pleading their cause.
Already $225 has been raised yesterday from the Facebook post concerning these children. And I know others have sent checks. And many are sharing on their own timelines or asking for a document with the information so they can print it and show it to others at church tomorrow. (I can see the Father smiling.)
If you feel called to contribute, you may do so on our website or mailing a check to GSM, PO Box 321, Buhler, KS 67522.
Some on Facebook saw the plight of these kids for the first time. They were shocked that children were being treated this way, but it’s common in eSwatini.
It’s why God sent us to work there.
The office/apartment will be completed this fall, and as you can see, we need to start immediately on the next care home. That means raising about $90,000 more. I’d love to keep our new builder immediately starting the next project as soon as one is completed, because we could fill all twelve homes that are planned!
And the need for a primary school is also great.
How can we see this happen?
Besides raising funds for the big projects, we’re praying for 150 people who will join the team with a $50/month commitment. Of course, any amount makes a difference. One dear couple is donating $1,000 a month, because they can. Another couple has faithfully paid $10/mo and now $20/mo because that fits their budget.
All I know is, the Lord’s heart for these children is big. And the call He’s given us to meet their needs is WAY bigger than us.
Together, we can meet it. Will you be part of showing these siblings that God has heard their cries in the night?
On another quick note, Tracy had to drive his mother to east Texas yesterday. His only sibling, Patsie, is extremely ill and in the hospital. We were told so far that she’s in liver shut down and has congestive heart failure. Tracy will bring Mom Spencer home tomorrow, just in time to work Monday and Tuesday and help me finish preparations in the evenings.
Right before each trip or major fundraiser, the challenges seem to pour on. No surprise. We’ve been hit hard with a couple of other family situations. I seldom ask for help personally or even say how I’m feeling when I’m down, but ugh, earlier this week I was in a bad place and really needed prayers. Facebook serves a wonderful purpose when we put out the plea from our weaknesses, and the family of God undertakes for us. I have felt carried, and my focus is back where it belongs. 🙂
Wednesday morning, we’re off! I can’t wait to love on the children!!!!
Thank you for being part of this through your giving, your encouragement, and your prayers.
Let us know how we can also pray for you!
Much love,
Becky
It’s now been seven weeks and three days since our lives dramatically changed when my husband fell going into church September 30. I’m thankful for the Lord’s healing power. The orthopedic doctor was surprised at the progress Paul has made when he saw him at his six-week check-up. He no longer needs the immobilizers for his broken knee cap and elbow, and he is able to walk with the walker.
Because of the risk of falling while he’s on a blood thinner, I keep reminding him that I need to be beside him when he goes anywhere. But sometimes he forgets or stubbornly decides he doesn’t need my help. That’s scary!
If you were at the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference and attended the Wednesday evening general session, you heard my dear friend, Terry Bryan, share her burden about the upcoming elections in Kenya. Terry has spent a number of years sharing the Gospel and caring for the physical needs of “her people in the Far Places.” (Terry is a nurse and one of the most dynamic Christians I know.)
I’ve often said that I believe writers are on the front lines of the intense battle for the hearts and minds of men and women, boys and girls. And I’m often reminded of what Jim Watkins said to me years ago (not an exact quote): “You can’t get hundreds of people together excited about writing for the Lord and have the devil say, ‘Isn’t that nice.’”
Write His Answer 