SUFFER NOT THE CHILDREN

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Nakakagigil! Aw, precious! Gorgeous! Lovely! Cutie-pie! Words we use to describe babies and little children — because indeed they are.

And we want to forever lock them in our protective embrace — if we could; but we know that at some point we need to let go, and let them go, so they won't turn spineless and insecure.

What's sad is, many kids today grow up devoid of not only precious parental nurturing, but the basic education they need so they can survive their increasingly complex environment.

In a lot of sitios in the Philippines, parents struggle to give their children education due to poverty. We may rant and complain about inutile and corrupt governance, or misguided parenting, but meanwhile, the children await:

That they may know A from Ba, Ka, Da, E, Ga, Ha, I, La, Ma, Na, etc., and put them together. 

Engage in mathletics. 

Practice good manners and right conduct. 

Learn basic skills like carpentry, baking, sewing. Most of all, discover that they could rise above their dire straits. 

That they can create, invent, write books, be a doctor or an architect, even jet to Mars, because they've discovered this — "I am an awesome creation. God has a great plan and purpose for my life!"

World Vision, you're a God-send! Founded 67 years ago, it exists solely to ensure that children experience life in all its fullness — where poverty and injustice exist.

"I have come that they may have life and have it to the full," says Jesus (John10:10b) — World Vision's marching order.

I'm privileged to have met WV Philippines' fundraising team, courtesy of my new-found sister in the Lord, Angelica Piolino; and I praise God for instilling in them the value of "faithfulness with little".  

A professional bunch, they give donors timely and regular feedback on receipt of donations and the status of the children and their families. They even encourage the children to write you. Some messages I've received from my sponsored child have greatly inspired me.   

The first half of John 10:10 reads: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." Satan knows that his grip on this world will soon be over, so he's closing in on the future generation.

Internet sources share these statistics: per year 56 million abortions worldwide (2010-2014); 58 million abortions in the U.S. since 1973; 610 thousand abortions in the Philippines alone in 2012.

Child abuse in the Philippines continues to rise, with sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment and sexual exploitation as leading cases. The images are as grim in Syria, many African nations, and other countries besieged by war and dictatorial or terrorist regimes.

Jesus commands in Matthew 19:14, "Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

May our prayer and response be, "Here I am, send me." One child at a time.

If you wish to partner with World Vision, please call 372-77-77.