Wk 56
October 27, 2006 - To The Ends of The Earth
Verse for the week:
Galatians 4:3-7 – 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Quote for the week:
“Slavery can only be abolished by raising the character of the people who compose the nation; and that can be done only by showing them a higher one.” Maria W. Chapman 1806-1885
People Group of the week:
The restavek slave children of Haiti
*Links to website don't necessarily imply endorsement.
There are an estimated 300,000 restavek children (80% of them girls) in Haiti. At $1 per day average income, Haitian families have difficulty caring for their children. Some of their children (as young as 4 years old) are given or sold to a slightly better-off family to be used as domestic servants. Most restaveks are denied education, free time, possessions, adequate food and healthcare. Many are essentially slaves, carrying out the most difficult and dirtiest tasks of a family. Horrific accounts of physical and sexual abuse abound. When a restavek becomes brave or old enough to run away, it is to a greater bondage than before – usually to prostitution and stealing. Slavery in the western hemisphere still abounds.
Apostolic Missions Committee Member to pray for this week:
Dale Eisenmann (Chicago, IL)
Apostolic Elders to pray for this week:
Our 35 retired elders who helped pave the way for our current mission endeavors.
Apostolic Christian Missionaries to pray for this week:
Jan and Val Gutwein and family who are returning to full time service in Cayes, Haiti. Having been sent by our World Relief and Mission committee’s, the Gutwein’s will be supporting our Apostolic Christian work teams and the MEBSH mission organization in southern Haiti. With missionary kidnappings for ransom on the increase; tropical diseases; their baby Brett (a child with special needs); they ask for the prayers of their church family. For up-to-date reports on the Gutweins, visit their website…
Also - Ongoing prayers for Joe Gerber and Jon Ringger currently in India; Rich Pfister who will join them on Nov. 6th; Roy and Dona Grimm along with Jim and Virginia Hoerr on Nov. 8th.
Other News:
While babysitting and trying to type this week’s edition of To the Ends of the Earth, I am surrounded by the laughter and happiness of our 7 grandchildren. Ages 2 to 10, they have knowledge of Jesus, free time, clean and healthy bodies, friendships and cousins, candy and root beer, lots of hugs, and a bright future. My heart is burdened as I think of the restavek children of Haiti with empty stomachs, who are enduring the loss of their family; the loss of their innocence; the loss of their childhood; and a loss of hope for the future. A much greater loss is their lack of exposure to the Gospel, the most powerful bondage-breaker of slavery! I think of the promise of the Savior in Isaiah 40:11 - He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom… I pray He will let these little children know the warmth, strength and security of His arms.
(Contributed by Ed Schwartz)
-----------------------
Prayer Points for the restavek children of Haiti
- Pray that God will take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers of voodoo and satan which keep slavery alive.
- Pray for the Haitian government officials to have a desire to stamp out the practices of slavery among the people.
- Ask the Lord to send Christian laborers to Haiti to reach the restavek slave children.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to create a soft and sensitive heart among believers for the restavek children of Haiti.
- Pray that God will comfort the children in their hurt, despair, loneliness, physical fatigue and abuse.
- Pray that strong Haitian national churches will be raised up among the people so the Gospel of Christ will be multiplied 1000 fold.
- Pray for a revival for Him in the country of Haiti.
“The best way to pray intelligently for the unsaved, and especially those in authority, is to get to know them and to maintain contact with them in order to pray for their felt needs.” Ed Silvoso
www.acendsoftheearth.blogspot
ONE DAY, ALL CHILDREN IN THIS NATION WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTAIN AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION. www.teachforamerica.org
