Show Hope

This very nice picture and verse is from a wonderful page on Facebook which HCG follows. This organization, like we do, has a heart for adoption and the many children who have need of homes. I would encourage anyone who has any interest in this area to not only follow the Facebook page, but do whatever may be in their power to support it and help it. The best way any child in need of a home can be helped is, of course, by finding a forever family. But there are many other ways to help even if you're not able to provide that way. And we all know we can always provide prayer support. Go visit the page here when you have a chance. Warning: the page is overrun with adorable children!

Do What is Right

And one of the things important to remember is that it's always right to help the poor and needy. World Vision can help you to do that. And thank you, Dr. King, for many wise and true words which you have left behind for us all.

Helping First World Children

Image borrowed from World Vision Facebook

May I remind you once again of a way you can help your children think outside of themselves and curb the whining spirit and selfishness so often found in first world families? If you can at all make the sacrifice and find some "extra" funds somewhere, perhaps you as a family can sponsor a child. You can not only give to a needy one somewhere else, but teach your own young ones about the living conditions there, pray diligently for that sponsored child, even put up pictures to help those in your house remember the plight of someone else, and also remind them without lecturing that they have much to be thankful for. Sponsoring through World Vision or some other worthwhile Christian agency is a great option to achieve all these things. But most importantly you'll be fulfilling the Lord's commands found throughout Scripture not to forget the poor and needy. More information can be found here.

Lovingly,
Nanna Maxine

Nepal Earthquake

This beautiful little girl is a reminder to us to pray for Nepal at this tragic time.

(Photo Source: Ordinary Traveler, Children of Nepal Photo Essay)

A Cup of Cold Water, and Jesus

Image: World's Children Facebook

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7:16-17

Let's do our best to give these little ones a cup of cold water (Matthew 10:42) and most of all Jesus, and then these words will be true of them in eternity.

Lovingly,

Nanna Maxine

Breanna's Friend

First, I want you to read this nice story to your children to help them to think about children with disabilities. Then, by linking you to this kids' blog at "Joni and Friends," I hope if you haven't been aware of it before, you will be now and will from time to time go to it with your own kids. It would be nice for them to see some of these short, sweet posts and hopefully find real situations to pray about. Maybe it will encourage them to want to reach out in some way someday. The article is here.

The Eyes of Children Around the World

Post by The Eyes of Children around the World.

I am posting this video directly from a page on Facebook called "The Eyes of Children Around the World." I follow this page because of what it is and the why of it. If I directly quote here what the administrators of the page said respecting this video you'll understand better the why of it and what it is I wish more of us would capture in our hearts, and not only become more aware of the children of the world, but that our Lord would impress them on our hearts more heavily and so much so, we're more constrained to help and less comfortable going on with our lives of relative ease without giving them a thought. Hear the message of their quote:

"This video does not pursue any kind of economic benefit; it's only goal is to raise awareness about the reality of our world, its people and its children. The close bond that springs out from looking at the innocence of these eyes transcends the judgement of the mind, and puts us in contact with an essential part of ourselves, a part where the real values of the human being live: love, compassion, gratitude, empathy, solidarity... The values of the world are falling apart; We hope that these children help us rescue them." 

From the heart,
Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Sibling Love

 

Source: Dark Silence in Suburbia

It seems I'm adding new Pinterest boards at such a rapid pace these days, it's surprising even me. Since joining in February, I thought I'd settled in this summer with about twenty-five or so, but there has been one thing after the other that has come along and each time it's like I feel somewhat constrained to start another one!

Just a few days ago, it was the "Playing Mommy" board and yesterday, well, someone repinned a photo which has been on the "Beautiful Children" board for quite a long time. A thought has been playing around in my mind for a month or so, but when the above picture was repinned, it pushed me over. Hence, once again a new board for SG.

Now what do you see in this picture? In my opinion, what stands out most is the sibling love, manifested in care and protection of the older for the younger. In this particular instance, it's two brothers who have a need and a great one at that. We don't know the circumstances behind why they found themselves in that situation, just that it's there for us to see. But for me, while I see the need, more than the need itself, and overriding it, I'm seeing, and feeling, the love. And thus, today, the board called "Sibling Love" is born.

Some of the pictures pinned on this board will be needy children, but some will be children in a comfortable and loving home situation with two parents. Some may be in a loving one parent home. But some will not have parents at all. And what better time to remember children like these than the week coming up on "Orphan Sunday."

These two children, the cover picture for the new board, are here to represent two things: One, the brand new board displaying love between brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters. Two, a needful reminder of the orphans, some of them even finding themselves struggling to live on the streets, homeless. May God have mercy on them, but even more, may He impress on each of our hearts a desire to find ways to help.

Lovingly,
Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Important in the Life of a Child

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” ~ Forest E. Witcraft

I stumbled upon this quote one day, knowing little of this man other than that he was a scholar, teacher, and scout leader. But what wisdom are in these words. They are particularly relevant to parents and teachers, but they should be remembered by all of us. Even after we’ve raised our own children and retired from our occupations, we can still make a difference in the life of a child. From our homes, if we can scrape up a few dollars a month to sponsor one in another country, or even talk a bit to the neighborhood children, who knows what good we can do for the future of not just our own country, but the world? After all, that future is in the hands of today’s children.


And you know that the most good you can do is to help point them to Jesus, who is the only hope for the future everywhere. We can point our children and grandchildren to Him; we can point our students to Him; we can speak of Him to the children out on the streets after we befriend them; and we can support Christian organizations that are serving Him by ministering to the needy little ones.

I need to be more diligent in being “important in the life of a child” in the ways that matter most. Do you?

Lovingly,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Compassion Lasts Forever

Please dear ones, teach this to your children.

Psalm 27:1

Needy and Beautiful

At Pinterest we have two boards with various photos of children. One is called "Needy Children" and one is called "Beautiful Children." I have to say that there are some photos I run across where I'm not sure which board to pin them on, and in many of these cases I choose just one even though a particular photo would be appropriate on both. Such was the case with this particular pin. It most certainly would be a pin for the "Needy Children" board but in this case what grabbed me most is how beautiful these two children are. I don't need to elaborate. It's there for you to see.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net via Speakable Gifts on Pinterest

Building a Better World for Children

Source: blog.worldvision.org via Speakable Gifts on Pinterest

Nigerian Special Children

Something for you and your children to pray about. There are so many youngsters around the world in need of prayers and sometimes there may be other ways to help. Just a little more info on happenings in Nigeria. Please read this article at the Persecution blog, perhaps during family devotions where you can talk and pray about it as a family.

Suborna

Suborna's story is an interesting one and worthwhile reading for your older daughters. Then they can pray for her.

Go here to read her story.

Child Sponsorship - Think About It!

A Refuge for Displaced Children

You may not be inclined to read the entire article word for word, but please at least skim it so that you might be aware of this great work being done in Nigeria on behalf of children who are orphaned by violence in that country. Read it here.

Japan

We often write about children in persecuted situations, as well as those who have needs for hunger and clothing. Now we can think about children whose needs are fear and anguish over the losses suffered in a natural disaster. Lead your young ones in prayer for the people of Japan who are suffering.

Birthday Celebrations

This is a great video to look at together as a family. Maybe you could have a time or prayer, with your children joining in? Even if you're not able to sponsor at this time, it surely would be a good matter to pray about and if there is any chance that your family could participate, this would be quite an incentive!

Pakistani Action Packs

This picture is of a Pakistani family receiving one of the Voice of the Martyrs Action Packs. The sweet smile of the little girl certainly warms our hearts, doesn't it? Another face of courage in the midst of adversity. You've probably heard about the recent flooding in that country. Also, there is much persecution against Christians that goes on there, which we recently talked about in a Kids of Courage post. Perhaps your family or Sunday School could put together an Action Pack to send. Go to the VOM site for more info.