Empowering Lives Through Compassionate Service and Education
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound impact of Missions for Orphans, an organization founded by my parents in 2012. Our mission is rooted in compassion, purpose, and empowerment. We provide for 15 orphan boys in Kenya, offering them education and life skills to become self-sufficient and eventually give back to their community. Our outreach extends beyond the farm, including medical missions, seamstress training, and support for local churches. We also address basic needs like food and shelter for widows and tackle health issues such as jiggers, a sand flea infestation that affects many in the region.
Our work is multifaceted, involving agriculture, widow support, and vocational training. We employ 40 people, including farm workers, guards, and teachers, to sustain our operations. One of our significant projects is building homes for widows, providing them with a safe and healthy living environment. We also engage in prison ministry, offering spiritual and material support to inmates.
The heart of our mission is to empower the boys we care for, ensuring they receive a proper education and vocational training. This year, we realized the need to focus more on their schooling to break the cycle of dependency. We aim to increase our outreach, build more homes, and expand our feeding programs for widows.
In the latter part of our gathering, I shared a personal testimony about how God transformed my life from a state of addiction and despair to one of purpose and service. I emphasized that everyone has a role in God's kingdom, regardless of their past. God equips us with the grace and ability to do things we never thought possible. The essence of our faith is not to be served but to serve, following the example of Jesus Christ. We are called to be a light in the world, to receive wisdom from God, and to produce fruit for His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. Compassion, Purpose, and Empowerment: Our mission is to see a need and act on it, providing purpose and empowerment to those we serve. This includes educating orphan boys and equipping them with life skills to become self-sufficient and eventually give back to their community. [01:57]
2. Holistic Outreach: Our outreach programs are diverse, ranging from medical missions and seamstress training to building homes for widows and supporting local churches. Each initiative aims to address specific needs, whether it's health, education, or basic living conditions. [02:41]
3. Empowering Through Education: We realized the importance of proper education for the boys in our care. By investing in their schooling, we aim to break the cycle of dependency and enable them to support themselves and contribute to the community. [07:32]
4. Personal Transformation and Service: God can transform anyone's life, regardless of their past. My journey from addiction to leading this ministry is a testament to God's grace and empowerment. We are called not to be served but to serve, following Jesus' example. [32:52]
5. Seeking Wisdom and Producing Fruit: Proverbs 3:13 teaches us that wisdom and understanding are more valuable than silver and gold. As Christians, we are called to receive from God and produce fruit for His kingdom, continually seeking to improve and serve others. [33:47]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:01] - Introduction to Missions for Orphans
[01:57] - Compassion, Purpose, and Empowerment
[02:41] - Outreach Programs
[03:29] - Widow Support and Feeding Programs
[04:17] - Employment and Education
[05:01] - Lollipop Ministry and Schooling
[05:48] - Infrastructure and Vehicle Needs
[06:34] - Farm Operations and Staffing
[07:32] - Importance of Proper Education
[08:16] - Personal Stories and Achievements
[08:58] - Building Homes for Widows
[10:29] - Vocational Training and Construction
[13:08] - Addressing Health Issues
[16:07] - Prison Ministry
[18:29] - Widow Feeding Program
[20:46] - Tackling Jiggers Infestation
[22:13] - Helping Vulnerable Families
[24:04] - Building Homes and Providing Essentials
[25:28] - Refugee Camp Outreach
[27:22] - Baptism and Open Air Meetings
[29:26] - Future Goals and Expansion
[31:23] - Call to Serve and Personal Testimony
[32:52] - Empowerment Through God's Grace
[33:47] - Seeking Wisdom and Producing Fruit
[34:31] - Serving vs. Being Served
[35:52] - Understanding Jesus' Ministry
[37:18] - God's Transformative Power
[38:05] - Commitment to Serve
[39:43] - True Kingdom Values
[41:24] - Invitation to Seek and Serve
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 3:13-14: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold."
2. Matthew 20:20-28: The story of the mother of James and John asking Jesus to place her sons at His right and left in His kingdom, and Jesus' response about serving rather than being served.
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three core values of Missions for Orphans as mentioned in the sermon? ([01:01])
2. How does Missions for Orphans support widows in Kenya? ([03:29])
3. What is the significance of Proverbs 3:13-14 in the context of the sermon? ([33:47])
4. How did the personal testimony of the speaker illustrate the theme of transformation and service? ([32:01])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to find wisdom and understanding according to Proverbs 3:13-14, and how does this apply to the mission work described in the sermon? ([33:47])
2. How does the story of James and John in Matthew 20:20-28 relate to the idea of serving rather than being served, as emphasized in the sermon? ([34:31])
3. In what ways does the speaker's personal transformation story highlight the power of God's grace and empowerment? ([32:01])
4. How does the mission's focus on education aim to break the cycle of dependency among the orphan boys? ([07:32])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Proverbs 3:13-14, how can you seek wisdom and understanding in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week to grow in these areas? ([33:47])
2. The sermon emphasized serving rather than being served. What are some specific ways you can serve others in your community or church this week? ([34:31])
3. The speaker shared a powerful testimony of transformation from addiction to service. Have you experienced a significant transformation in your life? How can you use your story to inspire and serve others? ([32:01])
4. Missions for Orphans focuses on empowering through education. Is there someone in your life you can mentor or support in their educational journey? How can you start this process? ([07:32])
5. The mission addresses basic needs like food and shelter for widows. Are there local organizations or individuals in need that you can support? What steps will you take to get involved? ([03:29])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of not just receiving but also producing fruit for God's kingdom. What specific fruit do you feel called to produce in your life, and how will you go about it? ([33:47])
7. Reflect on the question posed in the sermon: Are you here to be served or to serve? How does this question challenge your current approach to your faith and community involvement? ([34:31])
Devotional
Day 1: Compassion, Purpose, and Empowerment
Our mission is to see a need and act on it, providing purpose and empowerment to those we serve. This includes educating orphan boys and equipping them with life skills to become self-sufficient and eventually give back to their community. [01:57]
Missions for Orphans is an organization that embodies compassion, purpose, and empowerment. Founded in 2012, the organization focuses on providing for 15 orphan boys in Kenya, offering them education and life skills to become self-sufficient. The goal is not just to meet their immediate needs but to empower them to give back to their community in the future. This holistic approach ensures that the boys are not only cared for but are also equipped to break the cycle of dependency.
The mission extends beyond the boys, addressing the needs of widows and tackling health issues in the community. By providing food, shelter, and medical care, the organization aims to uplift the entire community. This multifaceted approach ensures that every aspect of life is touched by compassion and purpose, creating a ripple effect of empowerment.
Proverbs 19:17: "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
Reflection: Think of a specific need in your community that you can address. How can you act on it to provide purpose and empowerment to those involved?
Day 2: Holistic Outreach
Our outreach programs are diverse, ranging from medical missions and seamstress training to building homes for widows and supporting local churches. Each initiative aims to address specific needs, whether it's health, education, or basic living conditions. [02:41]
The outreach programs of Missions for Orphans are designed to address a wide range of needs within the community. From medical missions that tackle health issues like jiggers to seamstress training that provides vocational skills, each initiative is tailored to meet specific needs. Building homes for widows and supporting local churches are also key components of the outreach, ensuring that basic living conditions are improved and spiritual needs are met.
This holistic approach ensures that no aspect of life is overlooked. By addressing health, education, and basic living conditions, the organization creates a comprehensive support system for the community. This not only improves the quality of life for individuals but also strengthens the community as a whole.
Isaiah 58:10: "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you can extend holistic support to someone in need. What steps can you take to address their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs?
Day 3: Empowering Through Education
We realized the importance of proper education for the boys in our care. By investing in their schooling, we aim to break the cycle of dependency and enable them to support themselves and contribute to the community. [07:32]
Education is a cornerstone of the mission at Missions for Orphans. The organization has recognized that proper education is crucial for breaking the cycle of dependency. By investing in the schooling of the boys in their care, they aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to support themselves and contribute positively to their community. This focus on education ensures that the boys are not just surviving but thriving.
The emphasis on education extends to vocational training, providing the boys with practical skills that can be used to earn a living. This dual approach of academic and vocational education ensures that they are well-rounded and prepared for the future. The ultimate goal is to empower them to become self-sufficient and to give back to their community, creating a cycle of empowerment.
Proverbs 4:7: "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."
Reflection: Think about your own education and skills. How can you use them to empower someone else in your community today?
Day 4: Personal Transformation and Service
God can transform anyone's life, regardless of their past. My journey from addiction to leading this ministry is a testament to God's grace and empowerment. We are called not to be served but to serve, following Jesus' example. [32:52]
The story of personal transformation is a powerful testament to God's grace and empowerment. Regardless of one's past, God has the ability to transform lives and use them for His purpose. The journey from addiction to leading a ministry is a clear example of how God can turn a life around and use it for His glory. This transformation is not just about personal redemption but also about serving others.
We are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. This call to service is at the heart of the Christian faith. It is a reminder that our lives are not just about our own needs and desires but about serving others and being a light in the world. By embracing this call, we can experience the transformative power of God's grace in our own lives and in the lives of those we serve.
1 Peter 4:10: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Reflect on your own journey and identify a specific way you can serve others today. How can you use your experiences and gifts to make a difference in someone else's life?
Day 5: Seeking Wisdom and Producing Fruit
Proverbs 3:13 teaches us that wisdom and understanding are more valuable than silver and gold. As Christians, we are called to receive from God and produce fruit for His kingdom, continually seeking to improve and serve others. [33:47]
Wisdom and understanding are invaluable treasures in the Christian life. Proverbs 3:13 reminds us that these qualities are more valuable than silver and gold. As followers of Christ, we are called to seek wisdom and understanding from God, allowing them to guide our actions and decisions. This pursuit of wisdom is not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of others as well.
Producing fruit for God's kingdom involves continually seeking to improve and serve others. It means using the wisdom and understanding we receive from God to make a positive impact in the world. This can take many forms, from acts of kindness and service to sharing the gospel and supporting those in need. By focusing on producing fruit, we can ensure that our lives are aligned with God's purpose and that we are making a meaningful contribution to His kingdom.
James 3:17: "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you need more wisdom. How can you seek God's wisdom in this area and use it to produce fruit for His kingdom?
Quotes
1. "What God does and what God loves is to empower you to do something you never thought possible. And to give you the ability to grace you with the ability to do things that you didn't know you could. And that's what is so good about God. He doesn't really care where you are at. Because you might think when we think of the disciples being martyred. We think of them giving their lives to God. How did they do that? I don't know if you've ever asked your question. Would I be able to do that? And I think what happens is God gives you the grace to do that if it ever happens." [32:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He gives you the grace to do things that you never thought possible. He gives you the ability and the knowledge and the wisdom if you seek it. And we are to be that light into the world. We are to be the ones who receive from God. And then also give back. So Proverbs 3.13 it says, Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding. For the profit from it is better than gain from silver. And its produce, its yield is more than gold. So what you receive from God you have a yield. You receive and then you produce. And that's the point of being a Christian is to produce. To do something for the kingdom of God." [33:47] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you here to be served? Or are you here to serve? Matthew 20.20. I talked about this in the last service. James and John, the mother of James and John come to Jesus. And they're saying we want, can you put our sons in the highest place of honor? Can you take my sons and put them in the highest place of honor? Put them on your left and your right hand side. And they wanted a throne. They wanted a blessing from God. And what Jesus tells them is you don't understand what you're asking. And sometimes I think we get into we want something from God. We want to be served by God." [34:31] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We come to church to be blessed by the ministry. We come to church to be blessed by the worship. And all those things are wonderful. And God provides those for you. But are you coming to be served? Or are you coming to serve? Are you coming to do something for the kingdom of God? Or are you just going to be someone that constantly gets served? Well, I don't like the worship. Well, I don't like how they have prayer on this day. And I don't like how they have this or that. Me, I don't do this to be served." [35:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I don't do this to put it up in front of anybody. To give myself a position. I do this because I want to serve these people. Because God has affected me in such a way. That I just desire to give to him. Amen? And so when you come here and you receive. What are you yielding? What are you producing out of that? Are you just desiring to receive and not to give? Or are you here to serve and not be served? And these were two boys that didn't understand what Jesus' ministry was all about." [35:52] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "His authority isn't to give you position. It's to give you the ability to serve. The ability to give your life instead of keep it. And that's what God wants to do with you. When you come to meet him, we are not at that maturity level. Right? This is James and John. They're two mama's boys who are asking for permission from their mom. In the beginning of their maturity and the end of maturity, they're being martyred. Right? They're all across the world preaching the gospel. How did they get to that point? God gave them the ability to do that. And God will give you that ability." [36:39] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And he will give you the ability to do things that you never thought possible. Something like this. You could do something greater. Who am I? I'm just an ex-drug addict. Liar and a thief. And God intervened. I don't know if you were looking for God when you found him. But I wasn't. He found me when I wasn't looking for him. And he gave me the ability. The ability to serve. And so, how many of you, the first time you met God, in this scripture, Jesus asks them and he says, Are you able to drink of the cup that I drink of?" [37:18] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When it comes down to service of the body. And to build the church. All of a sudden, we're not so willing. So did we come to be served or come to serve? We need to understand what we're asking for God. God, show me my gift. Show me what my secret faults are. I love that prayer from David. He tells God, show me my secret faults. I added to that prayer because if you ask God to show you your secret faults. It's not fun. So I added, show me my secret faults and then help me deal with what you tell me." [38:05] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "God, I need you to show me what I don't see in my life. What are things I'm holding on to that I don't even know about? What's change I'm missing because of my past I can't even see. Or because of how I think I don't know. Or because of how I was raised I can't see. God, you have to help me see what I need to change so that I can be effective for you. Amen? We shouldn't be worried about a throne. We learn that from the world. We learn that we build kingdoms. That we build empires. That we have thrones and we have honor based off of that." [38:49] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And then when we meet God, we're asking for something that doesn't exist in his kingdom. Thrones and dominions don't exist in Christ's kingdom. He left his throne and his dominion to be a servant. To give you the example that okay God, I'm not after anything here. I'm after you. I want to serve you. I want to give you my time. I want to be effective. I want you to show me what's wrong with me. So that I can begin to change and that I can become effective in someone's life and I can serve. And God will do that with you." [39:43] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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