Making a difference-- Childreach

[Catsmeow]

I totally agree.

[artsylady]

We're definitely on the same page.

Amen sis!

[Guest Joel]

Ngungu'lawu traveller, and friends, Tutskwa I'qatsi,

Traveller wrote:

"Why argue over feeding this nation's hungry versus another? Instead, shouldn't we give and feed and cloth as led by the Holy Spirit? Be directed by HIM. ... I thank our Father that He has everything in control and directs our steps and, if we are obediant to His leading, some of that suffering will be eased."

Thank you for pointing out the heart of the matter-- Truly the "heart" of the matter, which is loving compassion. When we are led by loving compassion we are being led by Jesus who ever admonished us, above all else, to Love-- love God, and love one another. There is no debate in loving. Our hearts simply feel the pain of others as our own and we reach out and help.

This thread is an appeal for help. There are children in the world suffering and dying right now. What better time to reach out and help them than in this season of Christ's birth?

Peace,

Joel

[Catsmeow]

I know, Joel...I hear you....the problem is trust.. How does one know if the funds are being truly used for the poor or by scammers lookin' to get rich?

It's sooo sad. There's so many people out there to prey on people's sympathies in order to promote their own agenda.

People are so horribly selfish. They prey on people like bloodsuckers and have absolutely no conscience about it. They don't fear God or the consequences of their actions.

I am super careful who and where I give funds to. I love to help the poor and needy...and do it willingly. But I'm also extremely careful to do the "homework" and make sure the organization is completely trustworthy and heavily scrutizined.

We live in a world where people take advantage of other's kindness and don't even blink. They have no conscience. They're out for "self"... It's so sad but true.

Naturally, we all must be very careful in knowing where we are sending our money, be certain they're held accountable and closely scrutinized...and be sure the Holy Spirit Himself is leading us.

[Guest Joel]

Naangu'a cats, Tutskwa I'qatsi,

"...I know, Joel...I hear you....the problem is trust.. How does one know if the funds are being truly used for the poor or by scammers lookin' to get rich?..."

My sister, when you unselfishly seek to help others, Christ and His angels work with you to bring success to your endeavors. Rather than let your mind be filled with doubts and worries, fill it instead with faith in the good that will come forth from your compassionate efforts, as you join with Christ in serving others. My suggestion is to trust in the power of loving compassion to overcome all obstacles. As you seek to help, you will find what you need; as you ask for help, it shall be given; and as you knock, the obstacles will fall away as the doors are opened.

In my life I have been guided to Childreach which has been highly rated by several watchdog organizations. My testimony to you is that in sponsoring a child through Childreach your monies will be very efficiently utilized in serving the children, their families, and communities. If you prefer a Christian organization, others here can surely recommend one (one has already been mentioned).

Yours in Christ,

Joel

[Catsmeow]

We already have and do sponsor children in Kenya. We've done so for years. Not only that, we support their families, as well with a special gift designated for that family.

We also support the American Leprosy Mission, which is a Christian outreach to many sick people throughout the world.

We support numerous charities but again, we are always cautious to do the homework first.

Sometimes, we do simply have to trust God to guide us to the right people...and we've done that as well.

I wish you well for your organization and pray that many dear and precious children receive the loving care they so desperately need.

Blessings to you and yours, Joel....Cats

[Catsmeow]

we lived in a roach-infested apartment in a bad, bad neighborhood. i can't tell you how humiliating it was to stand in line at food banks and be given a bag full of groceries. and have any of you ever gotten food from the salvation army food banks? have you???? do you have any clue how, not to mention it being incredibly degrading to be there, how utterly disappointing it is to find that yet again you're forced to eat and feed your kids stuff that most people wouldn't give their dogs??? do you know what it's like to stand in that line and ask some hardened volunteer who has lost all compassion for the needy if you could possibly get any milk?  so forgive me if i'm coming across as beligerent and opinionated... but it just chaps my rear end to hear people make excuses about why it's so much more worthwhile to help someone in another country because they don't have "programs" to help them.

LadyC: You are describing me. I was among the poorest of the poor. Your quoted description describes my life almost exactly.

I know exactly what it's like to hunger; to live on a cold floor without a mattress, at 9 months pregnant and to beg for food while waiting forever to get food stamps.

I've been poor...poorer than poor.

So, having said that I maintain that even in my poverty, I was rich.

See, when I became a missionary and went overseas, I saw real poverty. What I thought was suffering here in the US...when I was hungry and dirty and living in filth...was the good life by comparison.

You have to experience both worlds to understand it.

I've been poorer than dirt...but even then, there's hope in a system that's often abrasive and insensitive and degrading...nevertheless, you never saw infants left to die in the gutters.

No matter how poor I was, I never had to set my kids out naked in a gutter to die.

It's all relative. I've seen poverty and lived in it. Then God showed me poverty that really got my attention.

This is why my "gift" or "annointing" is giving....because I've suffered and seen much suffering. Hence, I'm sensitive to the pain people endure.

I am appalled when we draw a line in the sand and say, "Let's just worry about our own 'kind'".

My opinion: When I looked into the eyes of sickly, starving, hurting little children and infants, it didn't matter one bit whether they were Americans or not....

It's not a matter of "looking out for our 'own' "....it's a matter of us looking out for MANKIND...because MANKIND IS OUR BUSINESS.

Boundaries DO NOT matter. Skin color does not matter. Race does not matter. Country of origin does not matter.

Mankind is our business...their common welfare is our business...

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

[Guest Joel]

Naangu'a cats, Tutskwa I'qatsi,

I hope that others who have not helped as you have, will be encouraged to follow in your footsteps. It's always wise to act with prudence and due caution in choosing a good humanitarian organization to work with. That's where the referrals of others becomes so useful-- and why I have spoken about Childreach.

with love and respect,

Joel

[Guest LadyC]

we lived in a roach-infested apartment in a bad, bad neighborhood. i can't tell you how humiliating it was to stand in line at food banks and be given a bag full of groceries. and have any of you ever gotten food from the salvation army food banks? have you???? do you have any clue how, not to mention it being incredibly degrading to be there, how utterly disappointing it is to find that yet again you're forced to eat and feed your kids stuff that most people wouldn't give their dogs??? do you know what it's like to stand in that line and ask some hardened volunteer who has lost all compassion for the needy if you could possibly get any milk?

[Catsmeow]

We are all parts of one Body. Some are given to help those overseas, while others are given to help those here at home....and some of us do both...as God leads us.

My point was when my husband and I were buying special items for poor children for "Operation Christmas Child"....we were put down by the cashier, which left both my husband and I a bit shell-shocked.

I think we should all encourage one another to do as God calls us each to do and give where He calls us to give...I don't beleive for for minute that one ministry is better than another....they each are important.

God loves and cares for every hungry child, no matter which country they're born in and He commands us to give according to His Spirit and leading.

That's where I stand...