Page 25 - Messenher

Within the ministry of One Child Fund, we are recognizing
a shift in the political climate of the nations where we sponsor
children’s homes. Some of those shifts affect even our
opportunities to operate.
Earlier this year, we witnessed a large, well known non-profit
Christian organization that largely supports and ministers to
children in one of the larger Asian nations, be expelled from
that country due to new government policies concerning
financial support and donations from agencies operating
in foreign nations. News agencies reported that the move
comes as Christians in Asian nations are facing increased
hostility and violence from anti-Christian extremists. Within
the past four years, we have watched as more Asian nations
have moved up the chart on the World Watch List. This is a
list of the top 50 nations where Christian persecution is most
severe. This list is compiled by Open Doors, International.
We continue to witness a changing national political climate
in not just one Asian nation, but in several nations. Other
national governments are using their powers to infringe on
our children’s homes and orphanages. We have witnessed
this previously in Europe over the past few years. They
taken the children from children’s homes and orphanages
and distribute them to anti-Christian/pro national religious
group homes or simply put them back on the streets.
In Philippians 2:15, Paul mentions we are “children of
God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted
generation, among whom you shine as lights of the world.”
He was referring to Deuteronomy (32:5) that brings attention
to a “crooked and twisted generation.” We believe this passage
is reflective of what we witness in this day. Yet, as Paul says,
we are children who shine as lights of the world. This is what
—Shelly Wilbanks the One Child Fund is attempting to fulfill throughout the
One Child Fund world. Several of our children’s homes are initiated to begin
an outreach ministry within a community to reach that area
for Christ. Our leaders open the home to orphaned and
needy children to give them a safe and loving place, all the
while sharing the Gospel to the community.
One Child Fund is covering these children, with not only
a place to live in difficult days, but covering them in prayer,
protection, and in wisdom; teaching them about Christ and
to be lights of the world. Please join us as we send a tsunami
of prayers and support to these children’s homes and
orphanages, so they can continue to be a light.
Our world is changing all around us. Mother Teresa gives
us perspective in this season, “I alone cannot change the
world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create
many ripples.” One Child Fund is making ripples. Each
home/orphanage is a ripple. Every child that leaves one of
our homes is a ripple.
Thank you for your support to continue to make a difference
to the littlest, loneliest, and least.

WWM FEBRUARY 2018 25