A Sobering Moment

Two days ago, my husband called and said you need to look at this. Invisible Children is a non-profit, non-religious based effort to bring education, aid and awareness of child-soldier abductions in Uganda. Children as young as 8 are kidnapped by the "army" to fight in the 20 yr. war this country has faced. Once kidnapped, they are used as spies, given weapons, used as forced labor... among other things. Many flee their homes at night ...in the dark...on foot to avoid being taken hostage. Watch the movie trailers for a great overview as well as current press releases to keep track of the battle this country faces for it's children. Pray for the country of Uganda and all of Africa. Another site I recommend is Shared Hope which is another non-profit dedicated to the war on global sex trafficking and women's rights. Began by a former Senator, this particular site gives UN stats, as well as an excellent overview of how widespread abuse, prostitution, and slavery of women and children really is. (it is a G-rated site). I did observe however on this and other sites visited, that much of Asia remains in the dark as far as help being given by the west. Please pray that in countries of known trafficking (much of Asia would be in that window) that God would prepare the hearts of those who would lay down their lives to serve these suffering children in the dark, dark corners of the world where there is little hope. Children here as young as 5 are being sold into prostitution and slavery by their own families in return for food. (another site is Save the Children) As Christians we have the privledge of not only serving God in all we do....but gladly, willingly...with sobering thought and prayer...participating with our savior in intercession for the weak of this world. Please continue with your own research on these and other related topics. I know in my own limited time constraints that I've barely scratched the surface.

Do you ever wonder...why us? Why have we been given so much...and others so little? That's a question that can only be answered by the Almighty God...but those who are given much have much to give in return. I'm humbled daily that the savior picked these children now in our house, out of depravity and darkness...to be set apart for Him. Millions still lie in wait. Millions still suffer. Pray. Pray for the God of the Harvest to bring help and hope to those daily bearing the marks of abuse, suffering, and malnutrition.

"Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.
Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret hidden peril,
Father, hear us for our children.
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them,
Father, hear us for our children.
From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.
Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.
And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide."

Amy Charmichael-The Gold Cord

The pic above is Katie and her nephew Cade at the park yesterday. They are doing so well together these days! This is without a doubt my new favorite picture!!