What does it mean to 'spend yourself'?

One child among 151 million orphans. I try not to cite statistics, because they depersonalize the plight of one hungry child. However, it’s important to look at the numbers now and then. I saw a website last week that listed the total number of orphans worldwide against the world’s largest countries by population. Orphans came in #9 – (list was dated 2011). Check it out!

In a list of the most populated countries of the world, orphans would rank #9.

 1.     China – 1,331,580,000

 2.     India – 1,165,800,000

 3.     United States – 306,806,000

 4.     Indonesia – 230,512,000

 5.     Brazil – 191,416,000

 6.     Pakistan – 166,800,500

 7.     Bangladesh – 162,221,000

 8.     Nigeria – 154,729,000

 9.     ORPHANS – 143,000,000
10.    Russia – 141,835,000    

However, one blog reports that worldwide the number of orphans is no longer on the rise, but actually dropping.  In 2009 UNICEF reported 163 million orphans worldwide. In 2011 that number dropped by 10 million to 153 million. By April 2013, UNICEF reported 151 million. It’s encouraging, except that 151 million is too many. 151 is too many. 

Statistics . . .overwhelming.

Last week, I was asked to encourage a leader in Africa who was feeling overwhelmed by the number of children in need and the lack of funding for his project. He is a pastor, starting an orphan rescue project. I wondered what could I possibly say to encourage him because it IS overwhelming to see the children in need go without because of our lack of funds. After a few days I decided to just share what keeps me going through the hard times. That letter gives a glimpse into the struggles of this work.

Dear Pastor,

               My friends here in the USA, have told me about your orphan project.  I read over the proposal – your dreams are our dreams. Led by God, we have started a similar ministry in Tanzania and in Mombasa. (Kulea's website) It’s a long and tough road, full of many disappointments and huge “mountains” we see before us. I know you completely understand that. Often when flying home, I look out at the ocean and think that like a single drop of water in the vast sea, that’s what it seems we are doing. That is, compared with the 70 million orphans in need of rescue across Africa today – it seems we are doing nothing.

God is faithful and gently reminds me to stop and consider one child – one “Kulea” kid. Let’s choose one – how about Salima? When she was 3 and lost her mother, she went to live with her poor grandmother who begged daily for food. Every day for the next 5 years, Salima begged with her bibi. She didn’t have shoes and didn’t set foot in a school building. Sometimes they ate but often they did not. Finally at the age of 8, we brought her home to her “forever home,” a Kulea home in Chalinze, Tanzania, and put her in school, added nutrition to her diet, took her to doctor and dentist checkups, and began teaching her about salvation through faith in Christ. Today she is a bright, Christian girl of 13 with big hopes and dreams – dreams that are actually achievable! We may not be able to rescue 70 million kids or even 70 kids today, but for one, such as Salima, what we are doing is EVERYTHING. We are showing her God’s love daily, providing for her needs and loving her with all that is within us.  It is THIS that keeps you and I going.

Salima (with ball) a couple of years after she was rescued

              I want to encourage you, brother, that though you have 60 children in front of you and a huge project that is yet unfunded, God will take you one step at a time. He wants you to slow down and go at His pace – wakati wa Mungu. If He called you to this work, I believe He funds what He ordains. For us, He seems to come through at the last minute – often. Then He gets the glory because each time we could not find the way or the solution. We are humbled and privileged to serve such an awesome God as we help the least of these among us.

              Let me leave you with a scripture and quote that mean a lot to me:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

    and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

    and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry

    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

    and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness[a] will go before you,

    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

    and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The Lord will guide you always;

    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

    and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

    like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

    and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 58: 6 – 12

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa

Mungu akubariki!

Mama Lindsey  (Deborah Brown)

In July, Kulea sent a letter to those who helped us get Kulea started by sponsoring a child, helping buy land, praying, volunteering, traveling with us, etc. Most likely, if you are reading this, you are one of those people. We asked for an extra donation, for people to "stand with us" and help us continue what we've started. Since then, we've received donations totaling about $1,700 and are looking forward to that number growing this month. We are so grateful for each one who took the time to make an extra donation.

I am praying that during the month of August others will write a check - an extra donation - to help us  build a village for children who deserve life and hope. Kulea, P.O. Box 333, Atkinson, NH 03811. 

Deborah Brown, Executive Director