Go

I often struggle with myself. With what I believe is right. With what I believe is wrong. Too many times, I find myself questioning others. Why would someone buy a new car when they have one that works? Why would someone give to The American Red Cross when so little goes to the people and most of the money is used for staff and administration? Why would someone go and give a homeless person $20 and not know what they may use that $20 for. Couldn't they go and buy ammunition for their gun or buy liquor with that money?

I find myself in a situation where I must check my own motives and perspective continuously. I had a friend give over $300 in random things to the poor on the streets in Knoxville. In my head I was thinking how far that money would have went in the Philippines. Or if he had given that money to an already established ministry to the poor/homeless in Knoxville how much greater of a good and impact they could have made with that money.

But then I started questioning myself. As I am sitting here in my chair after church, this individual is in his car going to spend time with the homeless and give them items that he believes may help them. As I am trying to inspire and encourage people to give money to sponsor kids and help the orphanage to rescue these kids from prostitution and dumpsites there are other people all over the world hurting and in need. Even my neighbor lives alone, with back problems.. and I can't remember the last time I walked across the street to help him or encourage him.

The Holston Conference that makes up hundreds of churches has a vision and passion during the Easter season up to Penecost SUnday to see up to 3,000 people baptized into the church. The method/approach that the Methodist church wants to utilize is need based ministry. Which is an awesome approach because we look at unmet needs in the area... and we become the church by going out in those areas in need and attempt to meet those needs while forming a relationship with those in need. To actually go out rather than expect people to come in.

I mean.. that is what Jesus did... he went. He walked hundreds if not thousands of miles, hanging out in bars, with lepers, with the rejected and told them that they are not unclean, that they are not rejected; that God created them all and that He will die (and in fact did) for all of humanity. Regardless of race, color or creed.

So, I say all of this to say, please pray for me. Kind of selfish I know, but I need it. I need to remember that none of this is about me and that all of this is about Christ and making His name known. To build up His kingdom. To remember that I have a neighbor, and that the rich struggle with depression and that the widow suffers with loss and that 18-20 year olds need support and love and that they are not "on their own" even if their parents no longer provide them a home. There is need all around us. There are chances to share Christ and His love with SO many. May we not become blind.

So, though I have encouraged (and I will continue to encourage :-D ) you to give to the orphanage. To sponsor our kids. To help the ministry of the orphanage prosper and meet the needs of more children....may we not lose sight of our neighbors. We must first answer the question "who is our neighbor"...and when you answer that question for yourself; may you have the faith to step out and Go. The great commission in the last chapter of Matthew is to "Go into all the world" and make disciples.

I am very thankful that so many of us continue to go... that God has not given up on us and continues to call us... may we put aside our concerns over money, appearances, what other's think (esp. a snoot like me that sometimes thinks they have it figured out) and Go. And Go how you have been called to go. It is SO okay to love on others and show Christ in a way that no one else has ever done. I have a great friend who is a hair stylist. He went on a mission trip and taught a skill to the homeless and the poor. He taught them how to cut hair. And now instead of begging or going without food, they now have a skill...they know how to cut hair .. and since my friend spent a few days teaching this skill; these people are being filled. So, God can use your skills, He can use your talents...the question is are you willing to go?

Peace, Dustin

A Challenge

Everyone likes a challenge. But this challenge isn't a tough one -- it's an exciting one, an opportunity and privilege.

The Challenge -- For one week, beginning today, as you pray and meditate and talk to God (You do that each day, right?) pray The Word for the child you will sponsor. Maybe you are a $100/month sponsor or a prayer parent. That doesn't matter, what matters is that we are covering these children and the Wesley Home with prayer. Just choose a child and pray a scripture using their name.

My example using Psalm 141:3-4
Set a guard over Daisy's mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of her lips. Let not Daisy's heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let Daisy not eat of their delicacies.

Many scriptures would be great for this. Here are a few if you don't have one in mind.
Psalm 140:4-5
Psalm 139:14
Psalm 5:11
Prov 3:5-6
Isaiah 48:17
1 Kings 3:9
Joshua 1:9
Romans 14:7-9
Phil 2:14-16
Colossians 1:9-10
2 Thess 1:11-12

I hope you will join me in praying The Word for our kids.

Thankful,
Sheryl

Catherine

During a meeting at a very large orphanage on the other side of Cebu, a 10 year old girl came in who had been begging on the streets. She was doing what she could to survive. Catherine. She was a true orphan....God had brought her to us so that we can provide and care for her in Wesley Home. One of the cutest and sweetest girls you could imagine.

Catherine's father and mother abandoned her at birth. She was fortunate to find shelter with her deaf, aging grandmother. As a street vendor, her grandmother's income was insufficient to care for Catherine and a cousin. Catherine would help her grandmother sell products on the street in order to give her grandmother time to do laundry. They have been living in a single room with no water.

Catherine is a sweet, polite, and shy little girl. She is an average student in grade three. Her teacher says she needs adult follow-up outside the classroom to boost her self-confidence. At Wesley Home for Youth, Catherine's education will be supported and with adult supervision to her studies her self-confidence will grow.

This precious child is in need of monthly sponsors. Please consider supporting her financially through The Rescue Foundation. If you would like more information please check our website therescuefoundation.com .

Thankful, Sheryl

lyrics stuck in my head.....

This song has been stuck in my head ALL week. But what awesome words they are....

We're waiting here, waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears we come
Empty hands held out
Lord draw us near, heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything you are

This song really speaks to me. All of us have scars on our hearts, all of us are broken people, imperfect, sinners. But we run to God, we call to Him with our EMPTY hands held high. We have nothing to offer Him but brokenness, pain, suffering, sin, confessions....we are so low we ask Him to lift us so that we can fall before Him, begging for His mercy! All we can do is fall before Him!

John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Thankful,
Sheryl
(Song:Lift Us Up to Fall, Artist:Tenth Avenue North)

Emily

Birthday: January 27, 1994

Emily is 16 years old and in fourth year of high school. She is a determined student; hoping to finish high school, attend college, and improve her life and that of her family.

Emily describes herself as a friendly, happy and helpful person. Others say she is reliable and loved dearly by those around her for her sweet nature. She is interested in drawing and reading and thankful that she has the God-given talents to sing and dance.

Emily is the middle child of five and is extremely close to her siblings. Her father works as a scrap ironer in a junkshop and most of the time earns aproximately $3 US dollars in one day. Emily's mother is a housewife taking good care of them. Their home is on a granted facility for the Urban Poor and they face the daily struggles of poverty. They own the shanty house where they live but they are not paying for the rent of the lot since they are part of Urban Poor. They hear rumors that soon they will become one of the victims of demolition team.


Emily's life ambition is to become a successful teacher. Her hope is to give back to her community. At Wesley Home for Youth, her dreams will be supported and she can continue in school. Emily’s family is able to visit her at the home and receive Christian training and support through the home’s family outreach program.

Beautiful Emily is in need of a monthly sponsor. Maybe it could be your small group, church ladies group, etc. Please pray for Emily.

Thankful,
Sheryl

Mission Meeting

On Saturday, as we entered the beginning stages of our summer mission, we met with a great group of folks. Some who have been to the Philippines already and some who will be going on their first mission trip. We are excited as we set goals high and have lots of enthusiastic people ready to join in the work.

There are spots still available on each of the trips. If you are interested in going, contact us by email at edirect@therescuefoundation.com or gentfamily@aol.com.

Here is a bit of scripture to meditate on today.
Luke 12
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Thankful,
Sheryl

The Forgotten

The street children in the Philippines seem to truly be "forgotten". There, if a mother leaves her child alone on the street, adults will not go to the child and ask questions, even if he is there for days or months. No one even seems to notice. If there is someone sleeping on the street, people will just step over them or around them. They are nearly invisible.

These boys and girls typically don't have shoes on their feet or food in their bellies. They call out to Americans, "Hey Joe". Hoping, needing a few pesos, a drink, a meal.

Today, my heart aches for these children. For my friends Michael, John John and Jeffrey who are probably still on the streets. Please pray with me for the children of Cebu who so desperately need our Saviour, a home and love.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Eph 3:20-21

Thankful, Sheryl

Kuya Glenn

Name: Glenn
Birthday: August 19, 1994

Glenn is 15 years old and being the oldest male in Wesley Home for Youth has taken on the role of leader. He prepares meals and helps with other duties when needed. Glenn is a generous, honest young man, working diligently for his education despite the challenges of his situation. Glenn desires to continue his education and will have that opportunity at Wesley Home for Youth.


He is studying at third year high school level. Before living at WHY Glenn had to awaken early and walk 2 miles to school due to no transportation. His favorite subjects are math and Filipino and is respected as a hard-working student. He dreams of attending college in an effort to obtain skill by which he will support his family and give back to his community.

Glenn’s father works intermittently as a welder and his mother cares for four younger sons. Their family home is small; where all six family members share one bedroom, all cooking is done over an outdoor fire, and without the benefit of electricity or water. Glenn’s parents and brothers can visit him and receive Christian training and support through the home’s family outreach program.

Please pray regarding Glenn's salvation and discernment about the truth.

During the team's visit in January, Glenn was given a Bible and encouraged to seek the truth. He has been taught about Folk Catholicism, praying to and worshiping the Santo Nino, that he cannot approach Christ and have a personal relationship with Him.

Glenn is in need of a monthly sponsor. Is it you that will sponsor this young man God has placed at WHY?

Break out of your comfort zone! All of us have bills to pay, but most of us also have a little extra that could be given. Give of yourself financially to help this young man.

Thankful,
Sheryl

Excitement

As we draw closer to our first meeting of the summer missions, excitement is building. Many people are learning about the poverty in the Philippines. Many are willing to join us as we go to them, love them and most importantly offer them the hope that is within Christ Jesus.


In preparation for the meeting I hope that you will set aside time to meditate on God's Word and His will for you on this trip. Don't just talk to God about the trips, LISTEN to what God wants to say to you. Be still, quiet and disciplined as you spend time with God. God uses people who are willing to be used in ways they don't expect.

Thankful, Sheryl