Dear Friends,
We are blessed, and here at First Church we take
seriously our call to share God’s love and our resources with people
from all around the world. Each year the church school sponsors a
mission project, and throughout the year, the children will learn about
the project and will be raising money for it.
We alternate between local and international
projects. Last year, we raised over $6,000 to buy books for the
students at Fred Wish Elementary School in Hartford. This year after a
lot of research and input, discussion and agreement by the Board of
Christian Education, we have decided that we will be supporting Church
World Service’s
“Giving Hope” program.
Some 12 million children have been orphaned by
HIV/AIDS across sub-Saharan Africa. Millions more live with sick or
dying parents. While orphaned African children have traditionally been
cared for by their extended families and communities, this safety net is
unraveling as more and more adults succumb to the virus. Children are
being raised by children, who can no longer attend school, lose their
homes and inheritances, and fall prey to abuse and exploitation.
We are convinced that we can make a difference in these children’s
lives; we know we can help to give them hope.
Our goal is to raise $5,500 by June. We aim to
sponsor 10 child-headed households for one year. It costs $250 to train
and empower the eldest child in the family for one year. In the classes
we pay for, the eldest child will learn how he or she will support the
family (handicrafts, farming, etc.). The children are in working groups
of 10 to 15 young people. They have paid teachers and a volunteer
mentor. The total cost of sponsoring 10 families is $2,500. We also
want to raise $3,000 so 300 families can learn about hygiene, latrine
and malaria prevention. We will be helping these children in
Kenya be happier, healthier and more hopeful.
Just like in previous years, the money raised by the
class sales, children’s offering and special gifts from congregation
members will all go towards this special “Giving Hope” mission project.
This project will provide us a challenge, but we
think the congregation is up for it. It isn’t as concrete as houses or
books, but it allows for fruitful and age appropriate discussion about
caring for children around the world.
As I talked about in the children’s message on World
Communion Sunday, there are many nations but only one earth.
When I showed the globe where only land and sea were marked and no
distinct countries, we talked about how it doesn’t matter where we come
from on earth, we are brothers and sisters called to be in communion
with each other. As Christians, it is our call and duty to reach out to
our neighbors, near and far. Friends, we have a chance to care for
children who long for love, hope and a decent future. Won’t you join us
on this journey of education and outreach?
