I posted a short story about World Vision and its vision here few months ago. Thinking of giving what to who is really drives me crazy and still cannot figure out who need what. Too many things that we can find at stores, many people have been rushing to the stores to get things that they “think” that their family “might need.”

Yet, many people, especially children, in all over the world are in need of water, food, shelter, blankets, and even more their parents to find something to make money so they can survive. These parents need financial support to start a small business, instead of depending on some other unsure resources, these parents need physical and spiritual supports. But, both parents and children do not know where they can find the help that they need, they do not know where to get whatever they need to survive, and they inly know that they are hopeless, no one care. BUT GOD knows. He cares about these people. He can provide ANYTHING that they need. He is the only one who knows every single thing that we need and provide it for us, also He is the only one who can provide for these people too.

The question is how do they know what God is the provider? how can they hear about this Good News that they have hope in Christ? where they can find help? what is our part in this?

The answer is you can only find in the Bible, the true Word of God:

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,tit would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt 18:5-6)

These verses said by Jesus himself. Children are important and precious before God (also see in Mark 10:14-16).

We are children of God, we love God by doing His word and command. The ultimate commandments are to love God with all of our life to love one another as you love yourself. And Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:18-24 as a reminder and encouragement for us to show love to others by obeying God’s word:

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God,t and Godt in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”

And there are more than these few verses talking about how we have to love one another and show it in actions in our lives not only in words. We often take it for granted every time we say, “I love you” to others. Do we really love them in God’s love as we say it? or do we only say it? You are the one who only can answer those questions by examine your own hearts. I exam my heart every time I say “I love you” to others.

So Helen, what are the answers to the questions above? How does World Vision can be the extension hands of ours to lead these children and their family to God and to know God? First of all and the most important thing for all of us to do is PRAY and PRAY for their salvations in Christ Jesus. That they will come to know God and His love through the work and programs of World Vision in their area.

God has been using World Vision in all over the world, even in Indonesia. The beginning of Word Vision work in Indonesia is in 1957, when a pastors conference held in Java. The first childcare program they had in 1961 was to assist the orphans and refugee children. By 1967, the program grew to assist some 2,000 children. Other activities included provision of medicine and food to combat malnutrition in the Minahasa area; food, clothing, and medical supplies to homeless survivors of the Bali volcanic eruption; and supplies to Immanuel Hospital in West Kalimantan to assist Chinese refugees (to read the whole history here).

Now, World Vision in Indonesia has nearly 87,000 children registered in the Sponsorship Program. Currently they operates 30 development programs, 6 of them are supported by U.S. donors.

Highlights of these efforts include the following:

• Indonesia Development Assistance Program: Through a grant from USAID’s Food for Peace program, World Vision is providing: education about nutrition, hygiene, water, and food processing; renovation or building of public water and sanitation facilities; training for local health workers to educate communities; and training on improved water management and personal hygiene.
• KITA BISA (Together We Can): Through a USAID grant, World Vision is working to reduce the risk of youth becoming infected with HIV by strengthening prevention efforts through behavior change. By partnering with local religious and community leaders, youth will learn about abstinence, faithfulness in relationships, and health and safety issues to prevent infection and modify lifestyles. (read more here)

If you want to know more about World Vision works in Indonesia or other country, you can contact the United States Office.

What can you give as a special gift to these children through World Vision? Check out the Gift Catalog 2011 here and unwrap the True Spirit of Christmas.

You can also watch the videos here and follow their Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Blog.

You also can get involve in these ways:

– Sponsor a child

– Donate to Horn Of Africa

– Fund a Microloan

When you go buying gifts for your family, please don’t forget to get some for these children, too. Blessings to you all!