Yesterday I finished revising an article for Harcourt Education, about people from different countries who immigrate and become part of Australia. In this piece of writing, I had two boys talking about the differences between the countries they came from and Australia. They talked of how children in other countries don’t always get the opportunity to go to school. But in Australia children can not only go to school but also go on to University.
This morning I picked up the Bible Society newsletter and read that In Cambodia ‘out of 100,000 children who enter the school system, only 316 will make it into higher education.’
The Bible Society is working with local churches with literacy classes, using the Bible. Since literacy rates are so low, the work will not revolve around printed materials so much, as it will be accomplished through listening to audio cassettes and CDs. What better way for children to learn literacy skills than from hearing God’s Word?
What can you and I do to help in this project?
1. Most importantly we can pray for the work. No work for God will bear fruit unless it is undertaken and upheld by prayer.
2. These tasks cannot be undertaken without money for bibles, CDs and materials. So we can support the work financially. Check out how at www.biblesocietynsw.com.au
3. We can ensure that we teach the Bible to children in our family and help them value what they have.
4. We can instill in our children a love for others and desire to help them
come to know the Lord. Pray with your children for the people of Cambodia. Show them where the country is on the map. Learn a little about the culture so that your children understand what a major step it is for the children of Cambodia to hear and learn from God’s Word.
5. Maybe you could start an informal after school group in your neighborhood helping children who struggle with reading and learning. Why not start by sharing simple Bible stories with them?
6. Jesus said,’the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few,’ Matthew 9:37. Will you choose to be one of the workers? Even if you cannot physically go out and be a worker, you can still ‘Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out Workers into his harvest field,’ Matthew 9:38.
All Bible references from the New International Version
Please visit these related blogs
How Is Your Heart?
The Same Seed But Various Responses
A Pattern of Power, Prayer And Preaching
The Community of Christ Within the Larger Community