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January 2009 Print

One of the world’s most accomplished violinists, Joshua Bell, recently decided to take his $3.5 million Stradivarius to the Washington, DC subway to play for passing commuters. Joshua has played in the most famous performance theatres in the world including the nearby Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Ticket prices for his concerts typically range into the hundreds of dollars. Not this day. Joshua played for 45 minutes with his open violin case at his feet. 1070 people passed by. 27 people dropped change into his open case. 7 people stopped to listen. 1 person recognized him and thanked him for the free concert.

Joshua’s story reminded me that Jesus was also virtually unrecognized at his appearance in Bethlehem. A few shepherds and visitors from the East stopped to take in the event. Most still pass by today. I’ve been intrigued by Jesus’ words, “whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Luke 18:5) In what way do we miss the presence of Jesus when we pass by children in need? Who puts value on the people around us?

I was recently encouraged by the gifts of God’s people to help establish a children’s home as an outreach of our new church in Chon Buri, Thailand. Another children’s home in Kinshasa, DR Congo that does not have the same visibility of our Thailand home was established as an outreach of the Batela MB church. Street children are given shelter, loving parents, education and clothing. Girls that formerly prostituted are taught work place skills that are transforming their futures. We are finding the presence of Jesus at the Bomoyi Ya Sika (Home of New Life) in Kinshasa. Thank you for stopping to discover with us the presence of Jesus in the faces of children in need! Can you hear the music?

Street children in need – Bomoyi Ya Sika, DR Congo – Project 0311 HIV orphans – Abundant Life Home, Thailand – Project 0438

Randy Friesen

pdf January 2008 Vision for Mission 269.42 Kb

 
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