last night i visited the vineyard centre (aylesbury) and spent around an hour praying round the stations that had been created for this weeks tearfund global week of prayer, the whole atmosphere in the building was wonderful and we were encouraged to think of situations in the world (trade, homelessness, etc) through various interactive means, if you are in aylesbury and have time today i would recommend a visit this evening.
sorry for the change to the running order but i had it in my mind that today's focus was on hiv/aids (in fact that was monday, should have read the blurb more closely..!), something as you all know that is close to my heart, in fact i have created a new strap-line post which will remain at the top of this site, tearfund are encouraging us to think of those millions children left as orphans.
here in england we have had so many emails and texts from friends who have been blessed with new babies this year, it seems to be a bumper year, anyone else noticed that?....today we have great expectations for our children, whether that's the expectation of their first smile, first word, first step, first christmas, first tooth (not sure what order they came in it seems so long ago since ours we that age) or for the toddlers, their first day at pre-school, first pet, first bike, for those a little older, their first day at school, first prize giving, first best friend, as they reach the teenage years they will perhaps have played their first musical instrument, or performed to a large crowd, on the football pitch or school production, things that make us so proud of them, they then grow older still and sit their first exam, have their first driving lesson or first boy or girl friend, even get their first job and first bank account and mortgage...all this with the help and support of loving parents, even within our dysfunctional society our children have so many chances of help from parents....
lets then think today about those millions, around 12 million in sub saharan africa, 1.5 million in south africa alone, who today don't have that support from loving parents, not because they have left home but beacuse they have died from aids, these children will have to look after their brothers and sisters, perhaps collect water from a well or stand pipe, cook, clean and get each child ready for school, if they are able to go....please visit tearfunds main web site to see their focus on these children,'bringing childhood back to life', this is at our hearts desire in what we are hoping to set up in south africa please take time today to pray and seek God to show you what a difference you can make to these poor and needy children.