By Marsha James
Global Missions Director, Northstar Church, Kennesaw GA
Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Every missionary knows God’s plan is not always clear to us at certain times; but, we can hold this verse in our hearts as true. This week I saw that verse displayed by seeing loving, Christian adults standing in front of me whom I met as children coming from severely abusive homes. Children without hope or a future. I witnessed the Parent Partner model work in their lives. God sent into their young lives Parent Partners that had loved on them, had been a part of their lives and in doing so helped changed their outcome. I saw these adults who couldn’t even smile or make eye contact morph into young men and women who could sit with us and share how now they had lives with a dream of a future.
On the other end, I also saw the beginning of a relationship starting with a new partnership. What a joy it was to see a young woman meet her new parent partners and how they were all so excited. You would think they had always known each other. I can’t wait to see what is accomplished through their relationship. This young mother of 16 years old now has someone who cares about what happens to her and her child
Jesus tells us to love our neighbors and He also says to take care of orphans. I love this model of being able to video call with children in other countries and invest in their lives. I love the joy it brings to children who have experienced so much abuse, neglect and abandonment. I love that we can help children spread their wings and dream of a future where they thrive.
