Get Involved in Helping Your (Distant) Neighbors.

The poor are always with us, but may we not let that discourage us from reaching out to our fellow man. I pray that the Lord will grip your heart to have compassion on those in need--here and abroad--and find ways in which YOU can help them. When you watch videos or read articles about what some people living with AIDS or living in the midst of persecution, or perhaps being persecuted themselves, go through, imagine yourself in their shoes (if they have shoes). I have been influenced and immersed in American culture just like you probably have, and therefore, having not been exposed to many different cultures firsthand, I cannot say that I know what they must be going through. But if I just try to imagine, with what little knowledge or idea that I have, what it is like, my heart breaks, my soul burns, and I want desperately to help.

Here is a brief survey of reputable organizations you can get involved with:

For those of you unfamiliar with World Vision, I encourage you to visit their website and also check out this video from Good Morning America highlighting World Vision's Gift Catalog and the difference we can make by purchasing something from it. World Vision is well known for the child sponsorship opportunities they offer, but their work goes much farther than that. They also help with disaster relief, urgent care, major crises, etc. World Vision, World Help, and Compassion International are great organizations that really do help people in ways that surpass just physical care. For example, you can help World Help distribute Bibles to people in different parts of the world who are currently without the Word of God. (If you follow the link, you will see a very good video. Though it is long, I urge you to watch all of it.) You can partner with The Seed Company, an affiliate of Wycliffe Bible Translators, in providing the resources translators need to produce Bibles in peoples' mother tongues around the world. They set a goal to begin translation for 225 more languages in the next three years. LIFE Outreach International works to provide water wells for people without access to clean water, homes, mission feeding, etc. I encourage you all to get involved in what God is doing through these organizations. They are very good about keeping you informed on the progress they are experiencing as well as new needs that arise. Also--The Seed Company is very good about this--they will request prayer for specific needs. I much appreciate learning what the particular "cluster" to whom I am contributing is doing and for what they need prayer in particular. Thank you Roy Peterson (The Seed Company), Vernon Brewster (World Help), James and Betty Robison (LIFE Outreach International), and everyone involved in these organizations for all your hard work and your passion for the cause.