"What have we gotten ourselves into?"
Ericka and I have asked this question MANY times over the past couple days. After visiting all three of our children's home here in India - we are OVERWHELMED!
Overwhelmed by the stories of abandoned and orphaned children. Overwhelmed and HUMBLED by the sacrifice of the men and women who care for these sweet kiddos.
And OVERWHELMED by the needs!
Our partners need more space, new homes, their own property, more money for school fees, clothes, books, food, beds, etc. These are ALL legitimate needs. How are we supposed to pick and choose between them??
You know, raising funds for these children back in states is one thing, BUT seeing it up close, spending time with the kids, seeing their smiles, hearing their stories - man, it just makes this whole thing so much more real.
All year I've been telling Ericka we gotta get to all three of our partnerships (Thailand, India and Swaziland) within the year if we want the Sound of Hope to be successful. (We're going to Africa in March)
But I'm realizing now the success of our organization has very little to do with this. I know now, after sitting with the people, holding the kids, and learning a about them - this trip was and is about commitment. How committed are we willing to be, now that we have seen?!
We have been given much in terms of information and knowledge, and not just in the form of statistics. BUT in REAL people. We've seen the mom who works in the brothel. We've seen the children who play right next to where men take their mothers for sex. We've seen the poverty and the horrible effects it has on children. We know the stories, and they will be forever with us.
Now, much is required of us - how do we respond?
The answer to that question is a bit overwhelming.
However, we know we are not in this alone! We know their are people out there willing to sacrifice their finances so that these children can have a CHANCE at a better life. We saw that last week when we raised $5000 in 20 HOURS for a specific need at Asha House!
This is just the beginning, that $5000 need pales in comparison to what we are about to roll out. I pray we see the same response. The need is OVERWHELMING, yet extremely important.
Will you help us meet it?
Ericka and I have asked this question MANY times over the past couple days. After visiting all three of our children's home here in India - we are OVERWHELMED!
Overwhelmed by the stories of abandoned and orphaned children. Overwhelmed and HUMBLED by the sacrifice of the men and women who care for these sweet kiddos.
And OVERWHELMED by the needs!
Our partners need more space, new homes, their own property, more money for school fees, clothes, books, food, beds, etc. These are ALL legitimate needs. How are we supposed to pick and choose between them??
All year I've been telling Ericka we gotta get to all three of our partnerships (Thailand, India and Swaziland) within the year if we want the Sound of Hope to be successful. (We're going to Africa in March)
But I'm realizing now the success of our organization has very little to do with this. I know now, after sitting with the people, holding the kids, and learning a about them - this trip was and is about commitment. How committed are we willing to be, now that we have seen?!
To whom much is given, much is required...
We have been given much in terms of information and knowledge, and not just in the form of statistics. BUT in REAL people. We've seen the mom who works in the brothel. We've seen the children who play right next to where men take their mothers for sex. We've seen the poverty and the horrible effects it has on children. We know the stories, and they will be forever with us.
Now, much is required of us - how do we respond?
The answer to that question is a bit overwhelming.
However, we know we are not in this alone! We know their are people out there willing to sacrifice their finances so that these children can have a CHANCE at a better life. We saw that last week when we raised $5000 in 20 HOURS for a specific need at Asha House!
This is just the beginning, that $5000 need pales in comparison to what we are about to roll out. I pray we see the same response. The need is OVERWHELMING, yet extremely important.
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