Some of the orphans receive "new" second hand clothes

One of the greatest aspects of Jesus’ earthly ministry was the compassion that He showed at all times for lost humanity. As Jesus was seeking out an isolated place for Him and His disciples to rejuvenate and spiritually recharge after their missionary labors, a multitude congregated together and actually arrived at their destination before they did. How easy it would be for us to become annoyed or long for the needed “alone time,” but not Jesus—He had compassion. “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34. Another time, Jesus was moved with compassion for the physical needs of those who came to listen to His teaching. “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” Matthew 15:32. Compassion was a hallmark of Jesus’ life, and it needs to be of ours, as well. “But how few of us regard the salvation of sinners in the light in which it is viewed by the heavenly universe,—as a plan devised from eternity in the mind of God! How few of us are heart to heart with the Redeemer in this solemn, closing work! There is scarcely a tithe of the compassion that there should be for souls unsaved.” Gospel Workers, 116. May it be our prayer to enter more into the compassion of our Savior.

The Lord has blessed and continues to bless from the evangelistic seminar that concluded a couple of weeks ago, and the Lord is leading some precious souls to make decisions for Him! But what I would really like to share with you this month is a different aspect of work going on in Congo. The Lord is continuing to bless His work there as the message permeates further into unreached areas, but one of the major reasons that I believe the Lord is blessing the work there is because of the compassion for lost souls that is evident in all the work. They have recently started another branch of the work in caring for the despised and forsaken orphans from AIDS. Certain areas of Congo have been hit very hard with many deaths every month. Children, some with AIDS and others without, are orphaned and left to care for themselves as best they can. Many of the villagers feared to care for or even come in contact with them lest they contract AIDS themselves. While preaching the gospel in this area, seeing the forsaken children suffering and dying touched the hearts of the brethren, and they determined to make a difference. As they began ministering to the children, one orphan asked why they were not afraid to touch them while everyone else shunned them. What a tremendous opportunity to present the love of our Heavenly Father! The Lord has opened the door for them to give these poor children an opportunity and provide for medical care, schooling, clothing, love and, most importantly, the love of God. Currently, the church has taken over thirty of these destitute children into their care, but there are many more that need the compassion of Jesus revealed to them. Would you like to lift the burdens of these forgotten, hopeless children? These dear children need our prayers but also our helping hand. If you would like to help these needy children, you can mark your donation for “Congo Orphans.”

The orphans praying over the "special meal" of plain rice

Yours in prayer for greater compassion,

The orphans receiving perhaps their first pair of new shoes (plastic thongs)

The orphans eagerly responding to the Bible story