Jesus’ kids!
January 2004 Volume 7, Number 1
“He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy.” Psalm 72:4
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Jesus’ kids! January 2004 Volume 7, Number 1 “He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy.” Psalm 72:4 |
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| “Tantine! (Auntie!),”
fifteen different excited voices called to me at once. I was crouched
in the darkened, half-finished, girl’s bathroom in the new Betikara home
trying to organize trays of cookies and treats for the Betikara lambs to
pass out to their 140 guests.
“Do we get to eat some of the cookies, or are we just supposed to serve them?” they asked as they waited to serve their guests. “Do you remember that I explained it to you? “I replied, trying not to laugh as their eyes scanned the trays of treats, “Your party will be on Monday. Today, you are serving guests. On Monday you will eat treats. None of you is to eat a cookie or a piece of candy today.” I have no doubt it was a difficult task for those lambs to serve 140 and to watch them eat treats while they stood by, but as usual, the Betikara lambs came through with flying colors and we are so proud of them. It was a big day at the new Betikara home and a big day for the Betikara lambs. We will mark it as the first Christmas in the new Betikara home. They are not even living there yet, but the lambs invited the builders and their families, and folks from two neighboring villages to attend a grand evangelization effort to help the church in that area grow. The lambs provided the entertainment and the lambs served their 140 guests. It was a grand evangelization effort and a grand success, much thanks to the lambs who experienced a day of Christmas giving instead of Christmas receiving. The lambs were a bit nervous. They had never even seen the finished, roofed, central common room of their new home. The size alone was intimidating to them, and on this day, it was filled with 140 guests waiting to meet them, hear them sing, listen to their memory verses, and watch the skit they had prepared. They fidgeted and squirmed, biting fingernails and sending out little moans in fits of pre-performance nerves. They need not have worried. They did a beautiful job and were applauded many times by their gracious guests and future friends and neighbors. It was a lovely day. The guests met the lambs and heard God’s Word. The lambs met new friends and acted as living examples of Jesus, giving instead of receiving. My day proceeded with tears of joy in my eyes threatening to spill over as each lamb served as our Savior serves and a lump in my throat as big as a golf ball kept me from saying much. It didn’t though, keep me from hugging and hugging those precious lambs.
In Memory
Betikara received this letter last month from a friend, and we too would like to honor Russell Board’s memory, because the children of Betikara live on through Russell’s unselfish giving. To the family and friends of Russell Board, I am writing this to honor Russell Board; it is a long story so please
bear with me. A number of years ago I started corresponding with a missionary
who had just arrived in Madagascar. She was appalled at the condition of
the children there. Many lived and begged on the streets, their hair red
from malnutrition. They were filthy, bug infested, and starving. This missionary
started a home for some of the children and I became involved in their
support. I engaged the congregation at North Brevard to help with several
projects and that is where Russell learned of the work. He came to me in
tears one day saying he wanted to help the children. He gave me $20. I
used it to mail a package to them. Since that time Russell has been faithful
to give $20 each month to help the children. He helped send over 500 books,
35 fleece blankets, countless bottles of children’s vitamins, toys and
clothes, soccer balls, 20 sets of sheets, fluoride rinse (their teeth are
terrible), band-aids, cold medicine and much more. Mailing is very expensive
and I could never have sent so much without his help. I don’t know if he
realized just how much good came from his generosity in this, but I know
the Father will reward him for all he has done. I do want you to know all
the good he has done so you can honor him for these deeds as I do.
Carol O’Neal Betikara would also like honor the memories of:
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If you would like to help with a monetary donation, write your check out to BETIKARA and send it to: Indiana Church of Christ
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him
for what he has done.”
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