From Old to New

December 31st approaches, coming with celebrations to mark the passing of the old year and the beginning of a new one. 2011 has been a challenging year for many of us. Earthquakes, famine, drought, tsunamis, flooding and tornadoes have ravaged the world on an international level, civil war and protests have raged across many countries, and economic struggles have increased for thousands of individuals. There have been many good things that have occurred as well though, so let us not forget to give thanks that God has walked with us this past year.

As we stop to reflect on the past year, it’s an annual habit to hope and pray that the next year will be a better one. This is the core motivation for New Year’s Resolutions. I make resolutions every year—and sometimes I actually end up keeping them. Other times I fail miserably. Popular resolutions for many Americans are to get in (better) shape, eat healthier, quit an addiction, spend more time with family, get out of debt or learn something new. Many of my resolutions fall into these categories as well.

As I was reading in Ephesians this week though, I came across these verses:

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Wouldn’t this make a great resolution for 2012, and the rest of your life? To lay aside our sinful natures and embrace the new self that Jesus offers to us—to be more like Jesus every day than we were the day before. Obviously, this is a resolution that is impossible to keep if we try to do it by ourselves. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit are the only things that will enable us to live in this new self.

As I look forward to 2012, I have many hopes and dreams. I’m sure you do as well. However, as we start out this new year, let us not forget that all of our hopes and dreams need to rest on the fact that God, the incarnate God, loves us deeply and desires us to be more like Him.

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Bethany, December 30th 2011 | Posted in Childcare Worldwide

A Christmas Dream

What child hasn’t dreamed of getting a bicycle for Christmas?

To an American child, owning a bicycle means a little more freedom and endless hours of fun in the neighborhood with friends. In Uganda, however, receiving a bicycle for Christmas has an even greater significance.

Solomon, 16 years old (Uganda)

Solomon Ssenyonga is 16 years old. He lost both of his parents when he was very young and since then, he has been staying with his aunt. She cannot afford to send Solomon to boarding school, so he had to walk for an hour and a half each way to school.

Every day, when Solomon arrived home from school, he walked another 3 kilometers to fetch water for his family. He was often too tired to study after such long days. But regardless of the daily challenges he faced, Solomon said, Read more…

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Laura, December 28th 2011 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Childcare Worldwide, child sponsorship

No Longer Living Alone

You may remember the story of Topher (12), Rogers (10) and Joseph (8) that we shared earlier this year.  These three brave boys were living all alone in a deplorable situation in Uganda. Their mother had died and their father had abandoned them. The problems and challenges in my life seem so insignificant compared to what these boys have had to live through. Not only were they physically alone, it must have seemed like hope had abandoned them as well.

God had not forsaken Topher, Rogers and Joseph though. Thanks to the generosity and compassion of people like you, all three boys are now happily living in one of our children’s homes! They have a place to live, food to eat, school to attend, someone to care for them and the knowledge that they are loved. In fact, they just got to participate in their very first Love Pak party.

It always amazes me how God breaks through into the darkest situations and works to restore the broken and hopeless. God tells us in Deuteronomy 31:8 that “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” These words are as true for us today as they were for Moses and the children of Israel. God’s promises never fail and His faithfulness is sure.  Which of God’s promises are you holding onto today?

Topher, Rogers and Joseph at a Love Pak Party

Thank you for your care and concern for children like Topher, Rogers, and Joseph.  God uses your generosity to change lives and enable children to survive and succeed.

To learn more about Love Paks, click here.

To learn more about Sponsorship, click here.

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Bethany, December 13th 2011 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Childcare Worldwide

Human Rights and Social Media

Transforming Lives by Sharing Content

Facebook is the most visited website in the world with over 600 million users (over 10% of the world’s population). Twitter has over 190 million users. You and I really are able to connect with far more people, far more easily than any generation before us.

How much time do you spend on Facebook or Twitter in a week?

December 10, 2011 marks the 63rd anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document was created by the United Nations to uphold basic human rights. These rights include the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom from slavery, the right to a fair trial, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

What does Facebook have to do with Human Rights?

Each year on this day, the United Nations focuses on one aspect of human rights. In light of the effect of social media on the recent political activity in the Arab World, the United Nations has chosen to focus on the usefulness of technology, specifically social media, in upholding the rights of people all around the world.

Oppressive governments have been known to plant propaganda and control media content, but social media is alive, constant and often accessible to the average person. Sites like Facebook and Twitter allow users to instantly share their eye-witness accounts with the whole world. Users can also easily find virtual communities that care about the same causes, giving them support and courage to speak up against injustices.

Read more…

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Laura, December 10th 2011 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Childcare Worldwide

World AIDS Day

Children from Sandi's Children's Village of the Ssese Islands of Uganda

AIDS is nothing to celebrate. Its impact on the world has been devastating and heartbreaking. So it is a solemn observation that marks December 1st as World AIDS Day.

In a recent interview with Childcare Uganda Director, Michael Masembe, he spoke about the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on the Ssese Islands in Uganda. “The biggest problem on the islands,” states Michael, “are the orphans and the needy children.” HIV/AIDS has affected almost every house on the island and there are hundreds orphans in this small area.

In response to this problem caused by AIDS, Childcare has built children’s homes where orphans, who are young and living by themselves, are fed, housed and given the opportunity to receive an education.

“Really they are children’s villages, whereby in one village we have 5 houses and in each house we have a caretaker whom we work with to care for the children and in each house there are 20 children,” Michael explains. In addition, two medical clinics have opened up near the children’s villages so that the children can receive treatment and medical care since the hospitals are too far away. The clinics also serve the local communities.

Childcare Uganda Director, Michael MasembeChildren’s villages are providing a place for children whose lives have been devastated by AIDS to receive healing and hope. “We help the children to face the future, to face tomorrow,” says Michael, “We feel that these children will have a future.”

So while AIDS is nothing to celebrate, the existence of life amidst tragedy and hope in the face devastation is something to celebrate. The children’s villages in the Ssese Islands in Uganda are creating homes for children whose families have died. Michael ended his interview with this: “For a child to come to one of our villages, the child must have a sponsor. I want to thank all the sponsors who make it possible for the children to come and stay with us at the children’s homes.”

Click here to learn more about children’s villages

Click here to find out how you can sponsor a child like those on the Ssese Islands

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Bethany, December 1st 2011 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Childcare Worldwide, Sponsor A Child