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Helping needy Malagasy kids to become Jesus’ kids! April 2010 Volume 13, Number 4 "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with
the poor." Proverbs
22:9 |
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Betikara has touched and continues to touch the lives of countless people.
Betikara draws people from different walks of life, different
nationalities, and nations to come and volunteer with the Betikara Lambs.
Many of those who volunteer come to help needy children and leave knowing
about the Savior.
Betikara has touched the lives of numerous caregivers over the years. Many
of those caregivers (Tina vavy, Nivo, Solofo and his wife Tina, among
others) started caring for the Betikara children not knowing what the Lord
had in store for them. Many of them found a new life and a new spiritual
commitment as they put on Christ in baptism. Betikara did not stop with
just touching the lives of the caregivers. Betikara is also touching and
making a difference in the families and friends of the caregivers through
their daily example.
When the dream of Betikara first came to fruition only a few people were
touched. Then as Betikara started to grow, so did the outreach of
Betikara. As Betikara grew there was a need for more room for the
children. A small house with two small bedrooms in the center of the
capital of Madagascar was no longer sufficient for the growth Betikara was
experiencing. Land was sought and purchased through the outpouring of love
that was show by people who believed in Betikara. People who’s lives had
been touched, and by people who saw a future of service in His kingdom for
Betikara.
This outpouring of love started to touch other lives. Men and women were
hired to help bring a new phase of Betikara into existence. Through the
outreach of Betikara many of those who first labored physically to build a
home for Betikara at Ambohimarina soon saw the need to be His children due
to their lives being touched by Betikara at first physically and then more
importantly, spiritually. Jean Baptiste and his family, Lala and his
family, Antoine and his family, Martin and his family, Tina and his
family, Rivo vavy and her family among others would not be members of His
kingdom without having had the chance to build a physical home for the
Betikara Lambs, and then by being touched by His love that was so freely
seen through Betikara.
The workers that labored for Betikara at first labored for the money. They
labored while adhering to the many Malagasy customs that constrict their
lives on a daily basis. Many Malagasy traditions were cast aside as the
workers and their families were touched by Betikara and biblical teaching
that led them to know the Savior and His desire for their lives. There was
a time that the workers said they needed to sacrifice cows in order to
receive the blessing of their ancestors. We countered by saying, “Let’s
pray to God All Mighty, and ask Him to protect your lives”. At first the
workers were skeptical. However, through daily prayer the workers soon
came to rely on our heavenly Father for their daily protection as they
labored for Him. It was during this time of building a home for Betikara
that the workers were touched and started to see and trust in the Lord’s
guiding hand in their lives, and in the work that their hands were doing
for Him.
The workers were again skeptical when we said we wanted to build a house
for God out of stone. Only the ancestors were honored by houses (tombs) of
stone. God continued to touch the lives and hearts of the workers. It was
not long before the workers agreed that if Solomon could build a temple of
hand hewn stone for God that they could honor God by building a hand hewn
stone temple as a place of worship. Lives again were touched and seeds
were planted through building a home and place of worship for the Betikara
Lambs.
As Betikara grows and continues to take in needy children from unfortunate
homes and situations, Betikara continues to touch lives and bring others
into His kingdom. There are Christians in the Ambohimarina congregation
that would not be His children if Betikara had not first reached out and
helped others that were in need. Three women who could not take care of
their children and work a job after the deaths of their husbands committed
the lives of their children to Betikara. Soon after receiving these
children, Betikara and His church at Ambohimarina started to influence the
lives of these women. These three women soon willingly committed their
lives to the care of the Savior, just as they have willing committed the
lives of their children to Betikara. These three women are now faithful
members of His kingdom due to His love first being shown to them through
the loving outreach of Betikara. These women are now actively teaching
bible classes and working with the youth group at Betikara. They were
touched by the influence of Betikara, and now they are reaching out and
touching the lives of others.
Through touching lives Betikara is now caring for Lambs who entered
Betikara without an earthly mother or father. Many of them did not know of
the Savior. Some of these Lambs who were so destitute physically, are now
spiritually blessed after being immersed with their Savior in Baptism.
Robert, Tsiry, Andry, Colombe, and Clara are now His children after being
touched by Betikara and those of you who provide for Betikara. Robert and
Andry are beginning to touch other lives as they take an active part in
leading worship and working along side the youth of Betikara as the youth
reach out into the community.
As Betikara continues to grow and expand, outreach into the surrounding
communities continues to flourish. Just two years ago the Betikara School
first opened its doors. Within one year of the school opening the director
of Betikara put Christ on in baptism and he continues to be a strong tool
for the Savior. Betikara also continues to touch lives through daily
contact with the teachers of the Betikara School who petitioned us to
teach them more about His church and His will for their lives. Lives of
the families of the Betikara students are being touched and influenced as
they see the love of the Savior through the teaching that their children
receive, both academically and spiritually. Where does the outreach and touching spirit of Betikara stop? God only knows!! We continue to serve Him and reach out to those in need. May God receive the glory and give the increase in His kingdom. |
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225 East Pike Rd. Indiana, PA 15701 U.S.A. “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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