Thanks to the prayers and generous donations of Mission to Children supporters (past and present) like you, these South Sudanese orphans have been safely relocated. Now they begin the healing process after the vicious attack that had torn away their parents.

A Sudanese boy smiles for the camera

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A new day is dawning in South Sudan, but not without plenty of work ahead.

The five minute video celebrating your provision can be watched here.

In tragedy, children are often the least prepared to cope with the consequences.

Since late 2011, Mission to Children has followed, prayed, and supported the relocation and (present) rehabilitation of 170 orphans in the state of Jonglei, South Sudan. The lives of these children were abruptly shattered when a rival tribe launched a violent and devastating attack on their village. Having fled to local caves during the attack, local Christian pastors (Lou Nuer tribe) recognized the immediate need to move these orphans to safety in order to prayerfully help them heal emotionally and physically in a Christ-centered environment.

While their journey to full recovery has not ended, you can join us in giving thanks, that they are safely in the care of Sudanese pastors  and counselors dedicated to their well-being.

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“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27, NKJV

Emmanuel Faith Community Church (Escondido, CA) is hosting a challenging character formation series for men. In this series, John Garmo joins several other team-teachers who have something in common: they are fathers studying the Bible to develop the character God has called them to demonstrate.

If you can’t attend this series, they have graciously posted each session online.

Emmanuel Faith’s website summarizes these sessions:

Fathering is one of the toughest and most courageous things a man is called to do. Many feel inadequate or ill-equipped. Many feel the stress of trying to balance work, home and family. The vision of this new ministry is to see Godly fathers and grandfathers influencing future generations.

Whether you’re looking for some fine tuning or some bigger help, wouldn’t you like to be part of this noble endeavor? For dads and granddads!

The URL to download the sessions is: http://www.efcc.org/fit-session-resources/.

A couple of youth workers thought it would be important to participate in our character formation seminar. They hope to positively affect the youth who look up to them.

Because of generous donations and prayers, our character program recently had the opportunity to serve youth workers in Lebanon. The smiles on these energetic children today bubble over because they know they are loved by these youth workers. These children now have the opportunity to learn that’s it’s important to do to others as they want done to themselves—in their community and in their world.

The ripple effect of this program could become a lifelong character education for children (such as these) through their relationship with youth workers who committed to moral values training.

January 17, 2012—BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the attacks are getting increasingly violent and neither the government nor the United Nations peacekeepers seem capable of stopping them.

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Haunting eyes—like the ones you see below—stared out of a dark cave where South Sudanese orphans fled to because of the massacre. These are the faces of children who helplessly watched as their parents were brutally murdered in front of them during the summer of 2011.

The story of these children was radically changed when fighting between two tribes escalated into an all-out slaughter in 13 villages.

When the violence peaked, 742 were dead, 826 wounded, and 356 are still missing.

A New Home: Relocation of orphans to the City of Bor

Many of the orphans witnessed their parents murdered before their eyes. They are traumatized to such a degree that relatives have resisted taking the orphans into their homes. They are truly abandoned.

Our help enables Sudanese Pastors and helpers to construct “African huts” for the orphans to temporarily live in before transitioning the children to the capital of Jonglei, South Sudan. In the meantime, Mission to Children has pledged to help provide feeding and care for the children while the permanent orphanage is designed and funds are raised. Our hope is to begin the relocation immediately.

The opportunity cost to the Mission to Children is estimated at over $30,000 to:

• Take down and rebuild huts during the transportation process to the capital of Jonglei state, Bor.
• Support caretakers for the kids (5-7 Nuer pastors).
• Relocate over 166 orphans to Bor.
• Provide an estimated 6 months of: food, clothing, and medical attention to these orphans while a permanent Children’s Trauma and Care Center is built.

A Story Gone Very, Very Bad

In mid-July 2011, members of the Murle tribe, armed by the Khartoum government, attacked the Nuer people in Jonglei state, South Sudan. Although tribal conflict is decades old, this attack was different. Traditionally these conflicts involved the stealing of cattle and the taking of women and children. This time the violence was much more pronounced.

In early August the Government of South Sudan dispatched a team of 10 church leaders, under the leadership of the Sudan Council of Churches, to the affected area. Their report shows massive suffering. Of the population in 13 villages, 20% of the women, 30% of the boys, 35% of the girls and 15% of the men were killed. In total 1,801 homes were burned, 742 people were killed, 826 were wounded, 356 are missing.

And 166 children are now orphaned.

Although over 31,000 Nuer (tribe) are now displaced, the focus of this initiative is to address the needs of children who have lost their parents. Additionally, it will enhance the efforts of the indigenous churches of South Sudan as they seek to build peace between warring tribes.

Benefits of Project:

This center will not only serve to care for Nuer (tribe) children, but all tribes of Jonglei state. Additionally it will enhance the efforts of the indigenous church of South Sudan to: Build peace between warring tribes, take responsibility for the spiritual and physical development of their new nation, and become the authoritative, moral voice to its nation (i.e. We will demonstrate what it means to know God and walk in His ways.)

Relocation coordinated by:

5-7 Nuer (tribe) pastors committed to the healing process for these children—and tribal peace in their nation—a nation to be committed to character (integrity/responsibility).

Where:

City of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, South Sudan.

Stay tuned . . .

Have you been to South Sudan or have information you’d like to add to the story of these orphans? Add a comment below.

Sai was barely able to survive the streets. But by God’s grace, one day Sai was brought to the doorstep of a Mission to Children supported orphanage in Rajahmundry, India.

And his life was changed—for eternity.

Sai . . . just like thousands of other boys and girls around the world . . . learned of a God who loved him and cared for him.

And through the Mission to Children’s Character Solutions program he’s learning to emulate the character of Christ. Even today the program is shaping and molding Sai into a happy, compassionate, and thoughtful young boy.

Right now there are thousands of young girls and boys like Sai . . . and you can bring a smile to their faces this Christmas by giving a generous gift below.

Just imagine the joy your expression of love will bring to an orphan like Sai who knows he hasn’t been forgotten!

So on behalf of the most vulnerable, thank you for your special Christmas gift!

Some 246 million children ages 5 to 17 must work,
nearly 70 percent of them in hazardous conditions. (Source: UNICEF)

You may have heard this question in one form or another: “Daddy or Mommy, why do I need to go to school?”

So, why do we go to school?

The positives could include: exciting job opportunities, career choices, inspiration, building confidence, personal growth, (and my favorite) enjoying God’s blessing to others through your influence—because you committed to learning.

What could happen to a child who doesn’t get an education?

That child may have: Limited career options, limited exposure to new opportunities, but . . .

. . . Have you considered that a lack of education further endangers children living in poverty?

Picture a Scenario:

”Fatima is a small girl, probably only 9 or 10 years old. She is standing on the street in the center of a bustling city, holding a scrap of paper in her hands. She does not know what she is doing there, because she cannot read what is written on the paper. She has been sent away from her parents’ home in the country, and just before she left, they handed her the paper to show to someone in the city. If she was able to read it, she would realize that her parents have sent her to the city to find work and earn the money that will provide for a better future. She eventually finds some work, which means that she can survive. But because she is working all the time, she cannot go to school and get the education that she needs.”

Can you imagine the risky situations that children are vulnerable to—children who lack an education?

Today’s Prayer

Dear LORD,

Please provide opportunities for unschooled children to receive an education.

Provide their guardians creative ideas that will encourage children to learn even if they cannot attend a regular school.

Protect the children who wander the streets unsupervised and uncared for.

Thanks for the education You provided me. Bless others through what I have learned.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

“And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien—Because they do not fear Me,” Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:5, NKJV

How are you praying? What is your mission to children?

Mark 8:35: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (NKJV)

The purpose of the Mission to Children is to love God and love others—not serve ourselves. Does this assumption seem too obvious? We hope every charity would purpose to love God and love others. But not every charity does.

Our mission, caring for and cultivating Christlike character in children, implies reaching out to provide the Gospel, Bible teaching, character development, and daily necessities such as shelter, food, and education. All of this through trusted relationships with believers around the world.

I’d like to share with you what a staff member was given for a homework assignment: Learn how to make a Wordle. She thought it would be pretty cool to see what our cultivating character behaviors looked like as art. Here they are as a “wordle”:

The footprint of our cultvating character program.

What would your “Wordle” of an orphan’s world look like?

What would your “Wordle” of the Gospel look like?

Create your wordle and share it with us today!

Our seven-city song of celebration in India at the end of July and beginning of August was as thanks-filled as I imagined it would be. To God be the glory; great things He has done!

Night after night in one city after another, uncommonly large groups gathered, and individuals reported how God is using Character Solutions to reach across religious barriers and professional walls in ways not experienced until now.

They told of hearts being changed—beginning with their own. Day after day I found myself thanking God simply for allowing me to be part of His work in their lives. You too can be thankful, for He allowed you to pray for and give to this training of more than a million, young and old, in India since 2008.

When we flew into Chennai, on the lower eastern coast, our regional coordinator asked, “Tomorrow morning can you attend and speak at a graduation ceremony for a group of community college students who just completed their Character Solutions training?” At 11:00 the next morning about 65 students met in their simple, open-air, meeting room. Ranging in age from 16 to 25 years, these students have not been able to attend the city’s established universities for various background reasons. Seeing their need, one of our master trainers began this Christian-led community college about four years ago. Three features of the vocation-focused curriculum are computer technology, practical nursing, and life skills—including character.

Prior to awarding each student a Character Solutions certificate, the director asked them all to stand. Then he listed from memory each of the ten character qualities they had studied. With those fresh in their minds, he urged them to cultivate these qualities from now onward. “Will you do this?” He challenged. “We will do this,” they responded. “Will you do this?” He repeated. “We will do this,” they answered, more loudly this time. And a third time: “Will you do this?” “We will do this!” I was moved with emotion at their evident conviction as they made this declaration. Afterwards our team chatted in the director’s office and drank coconut juice from large coconuts before heading out into the humid afternoon heat. What a blessing he and those students were to us!

Other relationships began during those days that I sense may be momentous for this ministry. As they develop a bit more, I hope to share them with you for praise and prayer to our Almighty Father Who knows all the details and their implications. Thank you again for standing alongside me in His service.

What I realize now is that our training of more than a million in three years was actually only Phase One of a larger plan God has for us in India. Christ’s three-year ministry led to Phase Two: the upper room experiences of Acts chapters one and two. We too are entering Phase Two: a time for us to focus silently and expectantly on looking up.

Will you please pray with us? We earnestly want to understand His will for Phase Three.

Video: The Ripple Effect—A Reputation for Good Character Spreads Across India

Partners with Mission to Children provide a variety of Christmas “dinner” outreaches in 9 countries to meet the needs of local, poverty-stricken communities. Once a location is selected they invite the most vulnerable in the village, from young street children to senior citizens. A meal is provided, but much more happens.

A Special Moment for a Street Family in Manila

It’s important to connect street children—and adults—with local Bible studies and churches. We want them to know God’s love beyond the outreach. For example, one former inmate (and father) on the streets of Manila said:

“In jail I attended Bible studies where I learned about Jesus Christ . . . so I opened my life to Him. I am very thankful to the pastor because he prayed for me and then he invited my whole family to this Christmas party. I am glad to say that my entire family, including my wife, accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord!”

In India one of Mission to Children’s partners preached the Gospel to children and adults alike. People of other faiths heard the message and received a delicious meal. One entire visiting community committed their lives to Jesus Christ. They came back a few months later to say they were following Jesus and wanted to be baptized. 55 members of that community were baptized.

Your Support Benefits Someone in Need

Christmas meals and small gifts provide nourishment and joy to disabled children in Colombia, India, and Kenya.

Street children and homeless adults in Manila, Philippines, attend a Christmas “party” and hear about Jesus’ love for them while enjoying tasty food.

The good news of God’s love and a Christmas treat bless Bolivian children.

HIV/AIDS children in a Ugandan treatment center experience God’s love through meals, small gifts, and the Christmas story presentation.

Lunch and the Gospel are presented to underprivileged Haitian school children.

Sponsored children present skits, sing, or recite Bible stories and memory verses to destitute Indian and Filipino villagers at Christmas dinners.

Food baskets are distributed to needy families in Costa Rica and Romania.

How You Can Do the Most Good

Pray. Please join us in praying that God the Father will draw many to Himself and that He will open the eyes of those attending these outreaches to hear and respond to God’s conviction. Our desire is that many more names will be added to the Lamb’s Book of Life because of your prayers and generous gifts.

Donate. Will you consider sending a donation today for this unique and proven way of presenting the Gospel to thousands of children and adults this Christmas?

A gift of $3.50 (per child) ensures there is a place for them to eat and receive a personal touch of God’s love through our Christmas outreaches.

“When we work, we work. When we pray, God works” (Hudson Taylor).