The Same Old Story

I may be telling the same old story. But that is because it is the truth.

Over the last 23 years of writing 10 stories per year for the newsletter, it’s very likely that I have repeated myself a few times. I am quite certain of that fact. And I know that I am also preaching to the choir for the most part. But the truth is, not only do we consistently have new partners in this mission, but you just never know who needs to be reminded of why we do what we do.

It’s also the same old story because we are fighting an endless battle. We have to accept that fact. Endless… but very worthwhile, and in fact, God calls it “perfect religion.” The theme for this year is “Building Futures”, with a sub theme of “The Battle for Tomorrow.”

We chose this “double theme” simply because they go hand in hand with what we are truly doing and what we are up against. Really, The Battle for Tomorrow describes the reason why we are Building Futures, not just for the orphans and widows that we help, but for ourselves.

First. Let’s just consider this fact: Muhammed, the false prophet, the one who went into the cave and claims to have been given the contents of the Koran by Gabriel the arch angel, was an orphan. He was raised by his uncle and grandfather.

First consider the many millions of innocent lives that have been lost because of his great lie. Perhaps the biggest, most catastrophic lie ever told. And it is ongoing because in terms of followers, he is second only to Christ, the Son of God. Now consider this: What if he had been raised by followers of Christ when his parents died?

Alexander Hamilton was also an orphan. When he was a teenager a group of local businessmen paid for him to go to college at what would become Columbia College. Alexander Hamilton would go on to play a key role in the formation of our political system, serving as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention as well as authoring many of the Federalist Papers.

Now consider what our country might be like if he hadn’t been cared for when his parents died. What if those businessmen hadn’t paid for him to get the education he needed to become who he did? How many lives has his contributions impacted over the course of our country’s history? Yes, it’s the same old story I am telling. But that is because it is the truth.

That’s why we are Building Futures. Not just the futures of the orphans and widows we care for, but as I wrote before, our own. And our children’s and grandchildren’s as well as many generations beyond until Jesus returns. I will never be able to stop being amazed at the power of a single act of kindness. And I wonder sometimes if I should be amazed or just nod my head when I witness such a thing and think to myself, “well of course.” After all it is really a simple thing when you consider that the source of all good is God. He invented good. And all the blessings that go along with doing good. I have come to realize through this work, that those blessings are far-reaching indeed.

Winnie comes to my mind when I think of such things. Just the other day, Jeff Timmons, our Director of Orphan Aid, sent me a copy of an update we received on Winnie. I just sat there staring at her pictures because I was so amazed. Winnie was the daughter of an orphan who had been abandoned, and she too, abandoned Winnie, repeating the same harmful and cruel cycle that we battle to break every day.

They used to call her “the ever-crying Winnie”, simply of course, because she was always crying. No one knew why she cried. Physically, there was nothing wrong with her. Over time, thankfully, the wails ceased and the tears stopped flowing.

This is Winnie when she was younger. At this point, she had already been at the home for years. She had already been loved and cared for since she was an infant. She had learned about God and his Son. Been given an education since the day she was old enough to be eligible.

And this is Winnie now. Nearly an adult. An entire young life spent being raised in a Christian Children’s Home. From being the “ever-crying Winnie” as an infant and young child, to a young lady who praises God daily for all the blessings in her life.

What and who will Winnie become? We simply don’t know. But like Alexander Hamilton, she has been given the love, care and instruction to become whatever she is capable of becoming. And perhaps she will simply become a good mother. Perhaps she will simply raise her children in the manner she has been raised and teach them about Jesus and the steps to salvation. But somewhere down the line, Winnie or one of her descendants will make a profound contribution to the world. And eventually, odds being what they are, she and her descendants will become thousands of souls in our Father’s Kingdom.

But conversely, what would have become of Winnie and all of her descendants if someone else with less good intentions had cared for her? Well, we don’t’ know for sure, but again, odds and statistics play a role here.

Winnie would have likely lived out her life in a pattern of behaviors similar to that of her mother. Five children before she was 18 years old. All of them abandoned. A life of crime to survive. Fair game to men with ill will who exploit the vulnerability and desperation of young women. A very good chance of a legacy of descendants that would be uneducated and know nothing of God or Jesus. And yes, one or more of them would eventually do something that would have a profound impact on this world’s future. We must remember, that tens become hundreds. Hundreds become thousands and thousands become tens of thousands over time. Tens of thousands doing good, or tens of thousands doing less than good, or doing evil.

And Winnie is just one person. So, what is the value of helping just one person? What is the value of that single act of kindness in helping a fatherless child have a good life? In showing them God’s love and helping them become a follower of Jesus? Giving them an education so that they can care for themselves and their children? Just what is the impact of Building Futures one child at a time?

When you consider Muhammed and Alexander Hamilton, apparently it is relatively profound. And that is why we intend to Keep Building Futures, Keep fighting The Battle for Tomorrow… and yes, keep telling the same old story.