Miracles Through Children
4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they* sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ ~ John 6:4-14
This year, our Vacation Bible School project offerings are to be designated to is "No More Malaria." Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that was wiped out in the United States in the 1950's, yet one child or mother in Africa still dies every minute in Africa today. Our church has pledged to raise funds over the next three years to go to the "No More Malaria" campaign to help wipe out malaria in Africa.
Over the course of this year, several fund-raising projects have been planned to work toward our church's pledge goal. One of these was a goal of $300 from VBS offerings. We were amazed at just how powerfully the story of the dangers of mosquitoes affected the hearts of the children attending Vacation Bible School. Some went right out and started to raise money in various ways to bring in for the offering the next day. One had a lemonade stand, a couple of others sold glow stick necklaces at the theater, etc. These children really wanted to make a difference for children and mothers in Africa. Each day, the total offering for the day increased significantly. By the third day, they had more than reached their goal, but they still weren't done! They went out and almost doubled their total for three days on day four! They had raised $750 on their own by the close of VBS on Thursday. One generous donor, seeing what the children had raised on their own, made up the difference and donated enough to put the children over the $1,000 mark! Still, parents and children were still giving at the end of the day, so the total has grown even more, with a final program tonight most assuredly topping off the figure even higher.
Just like the little boy with the bread and fish given to Jesus to feed the multitude, God has used the hearts of these children that have come through our doors to make a difference in the lives of others half way around the world. The multiplying of their generosity has more than tripled the original goal for this mission project for the four-day Vacation Bible School program. They are still spreading the word for others to get involved as well, so that malaria can be wiped out for everyone.
How can you help? You can go to our website and donate to UMCOR through our church. So many senseless deaths occur every day from a disease that is 100% curable if only people could have access to the medication needed to heal them from this mosquito-born illness. The time to help is now. Will you help save a life by giving as these young children have this week?
(If you would like to make a donation through our church to "No More Malaria," go to www.umcnl.com/giving/donations/ and donate through Missions listed as UMCOR.)
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the many blessings that children remind us of everyday. Their open hearts and love for others less fortunate are examples that we, as adults, need to remember and follow every day to help bring the necessary changes for a better tomorrow all around the world. Amen.
