This Sunday was "Hope Sunday" at NewSong. We had our first Hope Sunday in 2004 when we partnered up with World Vision and a number of churches in Lancaster to minister in a small village of Tseikuru, Kenya. You see Tseikuru is one of the many communities through out Africa where HIV/AIDS are significantly impacted the lives of its people. Tseikuru is about 30,000 people and 10,000 are affected or infected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2004, we got involved with sponsoring the children of Tseikuru -- 160 kids!! Those sponsorships provided, education, medical assistance, food, clothing and spiritual guidance. In addition, the extra money is pooled to dig water wells and other community wide concerns. In 2004, one of our elders and myself traveled to the village and we were radically affected by what we saw!
This past March, six more from our church went to Kenya and saw the progress that we had made these past few years and also investigated how else we will be involved with the ministry. Here are some things I have learned these past 4 years partnering in this ministry.
1. HIV/AIDS is devastating diseases and its not a "gay problem." I think we in the USA, when we hear AIDS -- we think a consequence of sinful, anti-social behavior. The fact is AIDS is contracted and spread through some of those avenues, but no matter how a person is infected -- it is devastating lives. In Tseikurus case -- innocent children are being affected.
2. We need to have a wholistic approach when reaching out to a developing country. I use to think - "bringing a cup of cold water in Jesus' name" is a sneaky way to promote a social gospel! Not so in Tseikuru -- World vision is concerned with water, education, economic development, medical issues, food AND spiritual interests! You can't have one without the other.
3. The church in America needs organizations like World Vision. I have publicly admitted that WV in my mind was a liberal Christians breeding ground -- MAYBE IT NEVER BE! I have never met the level of commitment, love and sacrifice in workers like the WV staff -- especially in the Kenya workers. And here's a novel idea -- WV uses "Kenyans" to minister to Kenyans! The fact is anglo-americans could never handle the conditions that these WV workers serve under! we need WV!
4. Little is much when God is in it! Obviously God is thrilled when people are shown the love of Christ and when those people learn that there is a God who is actively working to touch them! But also I have seen how ONE CHURCH in Lancaster PA can help turn the tide of AIDS in our generation. In ten years we will see the fruit of sponsoring a few hundred kids. But also see what can happen when churches unite. As of this weekend - Lancaster churches have sponsored 2800 of the 4000 orphaned or vulnerable children! WOW!!!
I know our church has been deeply touched by the Hope Initiative and our partnership with WV Tseikuru! We are now planning to return in 2010 with a team to conduct a spiritual retreat and leadership training. I will probably board the big bird and hope the pond -- and get ready for God to rock my world -- one more time!