What is Required of Us ?
By DAVID PRAKASAM ---
“ No , O people , the LORD has told you what is good , and this is what he requires of you : to do what is right , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with your God .”
- Micah 6:8
In a world full of violence , hatred and darkness , we are increasingly faced with the same choice : to stand by and do nothing or to act and respond to what is “ required ” of us , with compassion and kindness . To share the same mercy which we once received . To help the helpless . To bless the poor . To comfort the hopeless . To bring the justice of God to all those who are oppressed and suffering . To partner with the will of God being done on Earth as it is in Heaven . The Psalmist says in Psalm 89:14 , “ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne . Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants .” At Bethel Fellowship Trust ( BFT ), we reflect these foundational characteristics of God among the lepers , widows and orphans .
India is home to over 20 million orphans who are left to fend for themselves on the streets . We are currently running 5 orphanages in different parts of the nation where we provide a home and education for 112 children , between the ages of 5 and 19 . We run a Child Welfare Scheme ( program ) where children
from underprivileged families are provided groceries and financial support on a monthly basis .
Widows in India are usually shunned by their families as harbingers of bad luck . They are left with no home , money or hope . This is a heartbreaking existence . We provide them with financial and material aid to start a business and enable them to be self-sufficient . One woman who we helped is Jayanthi Mary . Her husband , an HIV patient , abandoned her and their 3 children . We helped her join a tailoring class and set up a tailoring shop . She is now able to provide for her family . We also have a home for elderly widows who have been mercilessly abandoned by their families , on account of this stigma .
Many nations have all but forgotten about leprosy , but 58.85 % of new leprosy cases in the world happen in India . These lepers are ostracized and made to live away from society , much like in Bible times . We are able to house over 30 leper families in apartments at our Leper Rehabilitation Center where they live a life of respect and dignity .
We thank all our sponsors at HIM who have stood with us in prayer and support and aided our ministry in India . At BFT , we not only believe in practicing mercy , justice and walking humbly with our God , we do our best to live this Scripture daily .
DAVID PRAKASAM Bethel City Cathedral Commissioned by HIM in 2006
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Southern India
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