James 1:27 “External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.” (AMP)
One of the community development projects that Every Nation Bloemfontein is partnering with is the REACH foundation in Heidedal. On Saturday some of our family who have an interest or are involved in community development spent a day at the REACH foundation’s centre in Heidedal. The overseers of the facility, Patrick and his wife Bernaleen spoke about the purpose and heart of REACH in Heidedal. Julius, David and Caroline, part of our EN family in Johannesburg also spoke about general guidelines for successful community development: what to include in such ventures as well as what to avoid! It was a most informative day, and was topped off with games played by speakers, volunteers, attendees and children (currently in the REACH programme) alike!
The work done by this facility and the volunteers who give of their time and hearts to teach young children from broken homes how to find meaning, purpose and fulfilment in life, is simply amazing. The children are taught to be contributing members of society and taught their intrinsic value as human beings, but most of all they learn that they can be, and are loved for just being themselves! In addition to this they are also provided with one good meal a day at the centre. As someone once said, “We have to go to the people with the gospel in one hand and a good meal in the other.”
Here I also learned how important it is for us to give our best to people in need. We are so inclined as humans to find it easy to give the leftovers, but God asks of us to give the best we can to those in need, because it is in this way that we honour them and value them, count them worthy to receive our best. This is Jesus’ heart. He wants us to give our best, because in this way we also acknowledge that all we have comes from Him and that we are giving back to HIM what He gave us to begin with!
Shalom! ;o)
