By Daniel Murphree

A nice cool atmosphere and jet lag jolted me from my slumber at around 4:30.  It was a busy day for us.  I finished the sermon I was to preach that morning, and went downstairs.  It was a cool morning, and I was the only one downstairs.  Instant coffee, toast, and more of the scriptures awaited me.  If the Lord’s expression of his care and concern for the orphan was a significant portion of what brought me downstairs that morning – the implications are massive.  It means that every crossroad of my life, every crossroad of CFE’s existence, every “happenstance,” indeed – every “failure” was bringing me downstairs so that I would go, meet, encourage, and verbally and financially express God’s commitment to love and care for these seven orphans – AND invite the church into caring for even more than these.

What began last year, was finally coming to completion.  Last year, I had set out from the US to go to China and then to Myanmar in order to visit a family of orphans that CFE was very interested in partnering with.  However, while in Beijing, the Myanmar consulate would not give me access!  How were we to meet this family and talk to them about our desired relationship and commitment to them?  More immediately – what was I to do now with 2 more unplanned weeks in Beijing?  God is good, and even through this weird transformation, what began as a CFE mission to meet these 7 children and their caretakers now had the flavor of ministering to a different kind of orphan. Orphans that have never known the love of Christ and the forgiveness of sins and the family that awaited them.  Those two weeks turned into a time of working with the underground church there and seeing several new births.  However, even here, God’s commitment was still to these seven children.

Today.  Today was to be that day.  What began almost a year ago, we were to see the children, the family, and the church leaders that we desired to commit to.  It is amazing to think that even a “failure” in the mission was part of God’s wooing.  During this time, the church that we were seeking to encourage to care for the poor, alien, the widow, and the orphan…well, they were not ready (and realistically, neither were we).  During this time, the church had begun a study in the book of James.  During this time, Saya (Pastor) Kham had been interjecting and discipling these leaders through small statements and conversations, all the way from Saint Louis.  During that time, we were able to speak with the Burmese community here in Saint Louis.  During that time, the appearances of a failed mission was a seed dying, spreading its roots, forging the earth – unseen, unheard.  Today was to be that day where a plant broke forth from the slumber of the dark.

We arrived at the church and the children were already there.  However, it had been a difficult journey for them as well.  They had to rent a driver and a truck to take all nine (including Ester and John, their adopted mother and father) from their remote village town of Zome. Essentially, it was a glorified small bed pick-up with a roof over it!  They had to drive 55 miles in this thing!  Yeah, that’s right, 55 miles! Wow.  That’s nothing, right?  Except it took them over 5 hours, and they were completely covered in dust!

The church service began, and we were immediately impressed with a medley of Burmese, English, and Tedim songs sung by these little rascals.  They were winsome, precious, and there were even a few instances of air guitar.  It hasn’t been easy for the family.  I’ll have to write more about John and Ester later, but even their call and concern for these little ones is an amazing work of God’s spirit to convict and compel.  One thing I enjoyed most about talking with the children after the service was the realization: kids are kids.  Everywhere. Kids are the same.  They laugh at weird things.  They had to be dragged inside from playing with the other children.  They were sweaty and smelly.  However – I could not help but to wonder how their smiles may have looked different and how their play would have been subdued had we not been able to help these two years.

]]> http://cfenow.org/burma-team-time-with-kids/feed/ 0 http://cfenow.org/great-news-from-kenya-trip-february-2010/ http://cfenow.org/great-news-from-kenya-trip-february-2010/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:44:02 +0000 Micah http://cfenow.org/?p=387 A Bridge team mission group just returned from Kenya this past week.  Along with some wonderful stories of how God is at work in Kenya they also brought news of new connections for CFE.  We are in the beginning phases of building a long lasting relationship with three organizations.

El Shaddia nursery and pre-unit school in the Mukura Slum area.

Kyeni Kya Egi Community School, this school focuses on HIV/AIDS orphans and is run primarily by Widows

Overcomers School, A ministry of Overcomers by Faith that reaches out to the Asian (Indian) population with severe disabilities.

Along with these schools we are also committing resources to a group of refugees from the Congo to be able to attend school.

This I hope is the beginning of a wonderful journey in Kenya!

Many kids do not attend school because they lack the money to pay their school fees.  Some begin school then have to stop halfway through because there is no money.  This is true for Orphaned children, single parent families and some families with both parents but with no way to generate enough income for school fees.

In some cases it is the lack of adequate food, how can you pay attention when your stomach is constantly grumbling for food.

What is the attitude of their parent(s) about education?

They see the lack of education as a very big problem; children become the victims when they are not given the opportunity to attend school.  Their children have no future, no hope for a ‘better’ life.  Parents live with a feeling of desperation because they cannot provide this essential need for their children – they desire strongly to educate their children but lack the ability to do so.  They are concerned for the future.  The reality is how can a parent think about schooling when they can barely provide adequate food for their families.

Story of the cow. My people care for cows, a family has one cow that gives milk to their children.  This is all they have how can they sell the cow to raise school fees?  So the child must stay at home and care for the cow.  The parents don’t really need the child to care for the animal, but by giving them this job they keep the child occupied so they will not wander into trouble.  In the heart of the parent there is no hope for their children b/c they cannot provide, their desire is to see their child succeed not to have to ‘care for the animal’ all day.

How is education part of the solution of the problems faced in your country?

Since so many kids lack the ability to attend school they choose (or are forced) to join the army or rebel group that has gained control in their area, they use the gun as a tool to provide for themselves.  Girls in this situation fall into prostitution to get the basic necessities of life.  These choices put children at great risk as well as perpetuate a state of chaos for their community.  They have no hope – so they make choices based on what they need right now because that is as far as they can think or see.

What happens when education is made available to children?

Children have a sense of value; this is an answer to their (and their parent(s)) dreams.  This opportunity will not just change the life of the individual child but have a much broader impact on the whole community.  Children have dreams of becoming something this gives them that opportunity, they can see much further now they have a sense of hope for the future.  With out this their dreams will die.

How does an education help a child think about his future?

There is a change in mindset, instead of just seeing the immediate needs they are able to hope for something more, becoming a doctor, teacher, pastor etc. An education provides a short term solution as well – kids choose to attend school instead of the alternatives mentioned above, this sets a new course for their lives they have meaning – I can do something and make a difference!

How else does CFE help in a community?

As we go into communities and begin to assist children, what children we choose is very important.  Choosing children from different tribes sends the message of reconciliation.  We desire the tribes to come together and repair their broken relationships.  Giving their children an opportunity to be educated sometimes in the same schools creates bridges for the different tribes and provides opportunities to interact.  This brings Peace and stability to a community.

One school, one vision, one community working together to make a bright future for their children instead of taking up arms against each other.

What becomes of the ‘educated’ child?

You are respected, looked up to by younger people; you have a purpose and meaning in your life even if you do not have a ‘good job.’  Because you are educated you are put into a position of influence even if you cannot obtain a job.  You can begin thinking of how to create opportunities for your community.

Quality of life improves for you and your community.  People begin to make better choices i.e. go to a hospital instead of traditional medicines. Impacts lifestyle choices, understanding of diseases and their causes, make better choices about sexuality.

When they have children make the necessary sacrifices to provide education for their own children because it is a priority.

Gives a voice to the oppressed, I can now speak out about the reality of life.  I can encourage others to make better choices.  I can encourage the young girl not to engage in prostitution by helping her to be able to attend school.

What difference does it make you can only help a few

Even helping a small number has a huge impact.  These few bring hope to many others.

Where are you in this process?

I feel great pain for my people.  By helping in this way I feel a sense of peace because I know that what we are doing together is making a difference.  Also because we are following what God has commanded us to do “to love on another”

By providing an education for children I am giving children something to do, this keeps them from doing the things they should not be involved with, things that will destroy them and their communities.

Kingdom Foundation Institute is one of our partnering schools, we would like to introduce you to some of the teachers.  They are on the front line of the fight for their country.  They are training up these children in the ways of the Lord!  Praise God for their commitment to this call.  Please pray for them, their job is not easy.

Nango J. Kweinah  -  Teacher, Kingdom Foundation Institute

My Vision:

To see the educational system in Liberia transformed by the development of  professional Christian Teachers.

I have been teaching for eight years.  I am a high school graduate, trained nurse aid and a certified teacher.  I have acquired credits in education from Calvin College in the USA through the ‘Christian Schools Network – Liberia.’  I received credits in science, language arts and teaching psychology.

My being at Kingdom Foundation Institute for the past three semesters has been challenging and very rewarding.  It has been rewarding because of the principles that the school holds.  They focus on the bettering of staff, which I have benefited.  On the other hand I have found it challenging because of the long hours of work I have to endure.  Another challenge is meeting the needs of many students who enroll with huge learning challenges.

What I envision as a teacher at KFI is enormous, but priority must be placed on seeing a team of professional teachers that will revolutionalize Christian education in Liberia.  Since this will require the building and managing of our human resources, I am praying and hoping to acquire a college degree in education to set the pace.  Another thing that I hope to see happen is to establish remedial classes for struggling students who enroll for the first time.  Finally the academic standards should be practical and applicable.  I also hope to see the decision making process include the entire group, if it effects the school as a whole.

Realistically, more than 70% of Nepali people are illiterate.  Most of the good schools in the country are right here in Kathmandu; whereas, education in the villages are far from the reaches of most children.  The lack of education in the past generation kept Nepal entrenched in poverty, and the trend continues with instability of political condition, and lack of progress at national levels.

However churches are stepping up to care for her children, especially, the outcaste, orphans and the victims. The Lord in his grace is raising up His church. The church is the only institution making forward progress, with its growth, and proclamation of Hope to the nations.

The plight of children is devastating. Child labor is rampant, almost every household keeps a child servant, owners claim to provide food and education, but they live far below humane conditions.  Kamalari is a system in Nepal where a girl (who generally are not considered worthy of education) are sent to work under bonded labor in a rich man’s house.

At our church, we love children. They have special place in the church, they are valued highly. There are weekly programs, occasional children outings, several VBS per year.

In xxxxx, as of summer of 2009 we have begun an orphanage work. The pastor family, whose children are off to college or graduated, were eager to take in couple of orphan kids. Now there are two living with them and going to an English medium Christian School.

Sabitri is a daughter of a widow who studies in 6th grade. Every morning before school and after school runs to the near by Highway to sell snacks to the by passers so she could make some money for her family to survive. She is an active junior youth member of our church.

Now we are planting three more churches in xxxxxx district. Where there is poverty to the core, and as a result children suffer the most. In many cases one parent has either gone abroad or abandoned their children. Not to mention alcoholism is a deep-rooted problem in almost every family. We would like our “home for orphans” plans to be established there first.  One married person would look after the children (5-7 per family) while the second parent go to work. Church life will be at the center, because the guardians must be committed Christians.

With the CFE scholarships, church will facilitate to provide and monitor children of single parent or total orphans to study, and abide in the life of the church, where they are spiritually nurtured.

The kids will attend mid-grade standard education available in their village. Which so far are English medium private schools. Kids from all various castes and backgrounds will be mixed in one home and taught together to love and appreciate each other.  Children from other backgrounds shall also be allegeable for the scholarship after agreement with the terms and conditions of CFE and our church.

Pastor Dil together with other church leaders will decide which children will be brought into the home settings (in particular orphans) and which are provided education scholarship upon agreements to its policies.

Some one from our church will be in charge of overseeing this ministry, collecting reports, visiting occasionally (once in two months) and communicating with CFE on a regular basis (at least once in three months). Financial records will be kept by the local guardians and checked by our church staff . Annual reports of finances will be sent to CFE.

Last summer, it was my goal to meet with a family running an orphanage in order to extend a financial and ministerial partnership with these orphans, so that they would be able to go to school, buy clothes, and have food (through the Christian Foundation for Education).  We still got the money to the family, but talking through the partnership with the family and their church had to be postponed.  Now that we are looking to expand our support by two and one-half times the number of children (from 7 to 20), this partnership is crucial.  Because of the poverty of the area, communication problems, and due to the nature of the long-term, committed relationships that New City desires, a personal trip of this nature is most necessary.

Related to this process (and the reason for the length of the trip) is the desire to begin forging relationships with specific churches in Northern Burma.  This, simply, required face time and relationship forging.  Unfortunately due to the nature of the U.S.’ relationship with Burma, I cannot be too specific about the details.

They are currently on the ground in Burma and would covet your prayers as the begin their journey to the refugee camps then on to the orphanage where the children sponsored by CFE reside.

We will keep this up to date as we get reports from them.