Helping Children in Dire Need

Jean Purcell

Remembering the Good Samaritan..."In reply, Jesus said, 'A man was going...'" 

Commentary

I saw on today's news a powerful report about Syrian children displaced by war. They fled to Lebanon, where they exist in bare shelters as unwanted visitors—refugees. The news reporter said, “There is no light in their eyes, no smile on their faces.” 

How many years have we been hearing about Syria being torn apart by war? How many children have been awakened in the early night for a flight to safer Lebanon soil, hoping one day to return home? 

Neighboring Lebanon now speaks at times of a dislike for Syrians—adults and children—fleeing for their lives for shelter in Lebanon. Small, struggling Lebanon feels overwhelmed by the numbers needing refuge from a huge Syria. It seems that little more than geography connects the two mid-east countries. On a map, Syria takes up a lot of land and Lebanon, southwest, also borders Jordan, another refuge for war escapees.  

War thrusts survivors into life on an edge sharper than poverty and more deceptive than wealth. One Syrian girl of about 11, when asked by a reporter “What is life like here (the Lebanon camp where she lived)?,” answered, “Life?” Life seems to have disappeared into something else...exile and being unwanted. That is very different from life once safe at home, in her neighborhood, among friends.  

We hear such stories, and we want to do something. People that help children’s charities are able to carry hope and good news across their region and the world. Among groups rated by Charity Navigators*, you might consider these, to begin or to add to what you are already doing, from your heart:

Samaritan’s Purse link 

Catholic Relief Services link  

Food for the Poor link

Save the Children link   

*Charity Navigator has financial and management ratings and other information about hundreds of helping organizations

Copyright (c) 2013 Opinari Writers.

Fear Not, Pray, and Help the Young Who are Afraid.

Maryland USA

Since the Boston Marathon bombings in April, many people around the world have felt burdened for children affected by these very hard days. As a Christian, a teacher, a mom and a grandmother, I know that children experience fear that is much like our fear, only their youth limits the perspective of experience. For some, this is "the first worst thing" to happen.  
  Nothing is more important now to Christian families than awareness, calm, and being present to the children. God is helping. Who sees this? Evil may strike and severely wound, but it must not be allowed to overtake. God helps us overcome fear.  

   From Isaiah 41:10: 

Fear not, for I am with you; 

be not dismayed (confused), 

for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you; 

yes, I will help you; 

yes, I will hold you up 

with My righteous right hand. 

   Horrible news is not new, yet why were the recent Boston bombings allowed to happen? Habakkuk, a prophet of long ago, also wondered. He cried out to God, "Violence! Violence everywhere!" Violence tortured that faithful man of God. His conclusion was that he would trust the living God, no matter what happened. His hope, he realized, must remain steady. God strengthened, helped, and upheld him in his trials.     

   Prayer and helping, alone and with others, are like water and food to nourish and refresh us, to keep us alive in strength and hope. We must pray for this nation's parents and families. We agree that the future, immediate or otherwise, is now different. God is able to sustain, to  make resilient, to help, and to hold up when the knees try to buckle permanently.    
  "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). That is a place to begin, if anyone needs a place to start praying. 

Copyright (c) 2013 Opinari Writers.

"Remembrance" by Rudyard Kipling, "Lest we forget"

Image by Getty Images via @daylife-wife of Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid/UK

Image via Wikipedia public domain

Image via Wikipedia Afghan children wait for basic medical care...

Jean Purcell

  Lest We Forget

God of our fathers, known of old—
Lord of our far-flung battle line—
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies—
The Captains and the Kings depart—
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called our navies melt away—
On dune and headland sinks the fire—
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe—
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard—
All valiant dust that builds on dust, And guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Amen.

Opinari Writers Copyright (c)2012

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Image via Wikipedia

by Jean Purcell

If you have never visited Washington, D.C., you are missing out on a fabulous experience. Plan a trip there and allow our country to come alive before your very eyes. You won't be sorry.- Pat Brannon, author, commenting on this blog's July 4 post, 2010.

And this is the time to make and set up plans to visit Washington in the Spring of 2011. Plan a trip for the Cherry Blossom Festival, 2011! March 26-April 10. and take notes for a few articles or your blog or web site. If you write about history or governance, what better place than the US capital city?

I think that visitors like Pat, quoted above, see the city with fresher, more appreciative eyes than those of us who live nearby. However, we do not want to take for granted this beautifully designed city. It is a city of marble, of ancient Gothic and Roman architecture, of engravings from treasured documents and speeches, and of giants of this country whose service, life-stories, faith, and words dominate the history that permeates so much of the capital city. Who has documented the numbers of the many books and movies based on this city of history, dreams, and power, intended for good? This is inspiring territory for writers like Pat Brannon, who writes poetry and stories, for grownups and children, respectively. 

   Pat Brannon is a writer working within schools to help children confront difficult problems,  such as bullying, through drama and humor that talks straight.

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  Ask your librarian about these titles. Support booksellers and public libraries - Opinari [to think, reason, believe]