I didn't have to search or look too far to inspire me for my devotional message this week. I don't get to read the newspaper every day (who else reads the newspaper anymore, huh?) as I'd like to, but for some reason this Monday morning, something caught my eye on the front page of the Late Extra section of the Los Angeles Times, "Glendale's teen's moving campaign. Sebouh Bazikian raises money to buy bikes for Kenyan orphans". And if that wasn't enough, the love is… cartoon on the next page was "SAVE THE CHILDREN", stating "love is… supporting a good cause." Okay, I got the feeling that God likely (definitely) wanted me to share this message with others because it so touched my heart and likely will yours too. I don't have the space to share the whole article, but if you're interested, you can go on-line to read the full story [LATIMES.COM, Mon. Sept. 9, 2013, Page AA3]. It's inspiring! When Sebouh learned how orphans in Kenya had to walk an hour to school, he wanted to find a way to help make their lives a little easier. So, for a year, Sebouh worked to raise about $5,000 to buy 43 new bicycles through the organization World Bike Relief. When the bikes were delivered in August to the children at the Machao Orphanage in Makueni, about 115 miles from Nairobi, Sebouh traveled to be there when the orphans received the bikes. He also helped the older kids learn how to ride the bikes, and watched with amazement when the older kids, after they had gained enough confidence on the bikes, taught the youngest of the children how to ride. Sebouh said "this was probably one of my greatest experiences. I felt I was like their parent teaching them how to ride a bike. You always have to keep a promise, especially to children who have absolutely nothing. I wasn't going to flake out."
The trip from the orphanage to school went from an hour walk to 15 minutes on their new bicycles. If you're not choked up by now, then our hearts have been hardened by having too much and not being thankful for the simplest of things of comfort that God provides to us. Sebouh is continuing in his efforts and has already secured bicycles for kids at another orphanage in Kenya, and is hosting a bike-a-thon and hike-a-thon in October seeking donations. He is also encouraging other teens to follow his theme of combining passion with charity, adding that "We don't have to wait for adults to make a difference." I would add to that, as adults, we don't have to wait for teenagers to make a difference. The article didn't mention anything about Sebouh's religion or the basis of his inspiration for "his ministry", but I'd like to believe that he is listening to and absorbing the teachings of God's Word at St. Francis High School in Glendale, where he is a Senior this year.
I thought of the many ministries here at our small but mighty "harbor of grace" church that were started and are being conducted by our millenials - The Loving Hands Ministry, reaching out to feed the homeless in Santa Ana each Saturday; Angel Tree reaching out to children at Christmas whose parent or parents are incarcerated; production of the upcoming night of Christian music and skits as an outreach to the community; performing role of Church Administrative Assistant while the Church Administrative Assistant is on medical leave; doing construction and refurbishing projects for church's interiors ; teenagers assisting in teaching Sunday school classes on Sunday mornings, etc.
Our God, our Lord, our Savior, has blessed each and every one of His children with gifts, intending us to use them for His purposes and His glory. "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." 1Cor12:4 [Amen to that]. Sebouh is a shining example of this, but so can we all be.
As always, we invite you and would love to have you attend our Sunday morning service at 10:00 a.m. if you do not have a church home. Wishing you and yours a blessed weekend dedicated in service to Him.
In Him,
Charlotte
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