Dear Friends of Missions,
It is amazing what God has to say about orphans and widows. In fact, the Word of God commands us to take care of them (Deuteronomy 24:22). Seriously, our assistance to the needy should not be an afterthought. It should be planned and executed intentionally.
Read Deuteronomy 24:17-21,
- "When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do.
- When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don't go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows.
- When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don't glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows."
God is telling us to bless the orphans and widows. And this command comes with a promise, "the Lord your God will bless you in all you do."
Boaz understood this principle when he commanded his reapers "Let her [Ruth] glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls on purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not." (Ruth 2:14-16).
Little did he realize that he was preparing the way for the Savior of humanity. Check out Matthew 1, Boaz and Ruth are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. What a blessing!
Do you know that every time you write a check to support the orphans, the widows, and the needy, you are fulfilling this command? Last year, you enabled us to minister to 11 families through your financial support. Our prayer is that God's promise of blessing be fulfilled in your life, Amen.
We covet your prayers and financial support as we continue to minister to the needy in Nigeria. Our Family Outreach program continues to provide the widows with a means to begin small businesses that enable them to put food on the table for their families. We provide scholarships for the fatherless, and food supplements for needy families. By providing them with assistance, we are giving them the opportunity to live healthy lives for Christ.
Here Is The Breakdown:
- $1,650.00 to provide 11 widows with one-time financial assistance to begin small businesses to provide for their families.
- $7,350 to provide 49 students with a year of tuition, books, and footwear.
- $3,300 to provide 11 families with a year of food supplement.
Here Is How You Can Participate.
1. A gift of $25 a month, $300 a year will provide food supplement for one family.
2. A one-time gift of $150 will help one widow begin a small business to provide for her family.
3. A one-time gift of $150 will help one child with a year of tuition, books and footwear.
This year, I am asking you to remember the widows, the fatherless, and needy in Africa. Your contribution will help us provide for them at the time of need. Your participation is completely voluntary. You have done so much already, and if you can't send a gift right now, I'll understand. But if you are able to contribute, I'd really appreciate it.
Yours in His Service,
David C. Akaji
Vice President for the Africa Region
Remember to check our websites: www.ebminternational.com or www.opendoorministries.net/devotions for updates. You can access daily devotions from our website. Check it out.
P.S. Please keep these widows, orphans and needy in your prayers.
"Most widows in Africa don't remarry especially when they have a male child. In Africa, the custody of children is not negotiable. They belong to the father. When a widow remarries, she loses everything including her children. In most cases, widows will stay with their children, even though there is no work or trade to help them make a living."
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalm 41:1
Here are pictures of some of the widows, their children, and students we are sponsoring.
