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
� bethelipa. com � / bethelcitycathedral
� @ BethelCityCbe
Southern India
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