October 15, 2001
OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK
POLAND
SEEING EVERY CHILD AS PRECIOUS
I was proud of our President last Thursday night calling on the children of America to give one dollar each for the children of Afghanistan. The war against terrorism will be won in the hearts and minds of the children of the world who can do more things than adults will believe. Remember it was President to be Grant, when 8 years old, who had the responsibility of loading and driving team and wagon into downtown Cincinnati alone to sell the produce raised on the family farm. In our day, Surgeon and Senator Bill Frist, (R., Tenn.) spent his 4th of July in war ravaged southern Sudan practicing his craft. Among many other things he reports "he went to a boy-soldier demobilization camp" to medically treat and talk to hundreds of kids ages 10-12. These boys used to be in the military, but with assistance from Unicef they have been returned home for education.
In the same way American Baptists are at work in Poland where more than 18,000 orphans reside in over 400 orphanages throughout Poland. These children desperately need a loving environment to grow and mature. The "Diamond" ministry of the Baptist Union of Poland seeks to provide Christian care to this community of children through summer and winter camps, weekend and weekday clubs, and the adoption of children into Christian families. This ministry has also been extended to children with disabilities and to children from dysfunctional homes.
"In our work [we try] to be sensitive to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of children brought up in various kinds of families. It is a great challenge but Jesus Christ is our strength. Our desire is to follow him and lead others to him by providing needed help, support, direction and good word," say leaders of this ministry.
Out of our giving to the World Fellowship Offering, $7,680 is needed this year for American Baptist International Ministries to fully meet our commitment here.
Monetary resources are in demand around the world, but only energy and effort are required from the Christians of Juneau County to make the same difference in our area. At First Baptist we’d love to join with you to get this done.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
201 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948-1333 608-8474555
Past Weeks Thoughts: