Ten Thousand Homes was started as a response to seeing firsthand the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa and how it has created an orphan crisis. We asked the question, “What can we do? What is our part?” Thus, the birthing of a ministry. As teams have come to Africa, our heart and desire is that they would also ask themselves that same question. What is their part and how should they respond? As the body of Christ, we believe we must all care for the orphan and widow in some way (James 1:27).
In 2006 we brought a small team over to S. Africa. Stuart Quigley was on that team. Like all short-termers, he plugged into all aspects of the ministry. At times he was angry that he had been exposed to the crisis, knowing that he had a responsibility to ask God, “What is my part?” Now, 2 1/2 years later, Stuart is responding and doing his part. In addition to working a full-time job, he is in nursing school, hoping to return to Africa one day to use his nursing skills to care for the sick and the dying. But he is not just waiting for school to finish to make a difference. May 5th he started riding his bike to work (30 miles a day!) to raise money to build a care center. He will do this for 3 months. The money he is saving on fuel ($600 a month) he is donating toward a care center. He has also challenged many of his friends to donate toward his efforts by giving up a coffee every week and donating that money to the care center. One brick is about $3 (about the price of a Starbuck’s coffee). It sounds small but can go a long way. Stuart’s goal is to raise $30,000 which is enough to build a care center that will affect about 100 kids.
I think what excites us the most is that Stuart is doing his part to show God’s love to the orphan. Some of you have been here before. Some haven’t. But would you take a moment to ask God what your part is in helping the orphan? Maybe it’s donating toward a care center. Maybe it’s coming on a short-term trip. Maybe it’s praying and interceding for the orphan. Whatever it might be, know that God is pleased with your contribution.
(If you would like to make a donation toward Stuart’s bike riding for a care center, please make your check payable to Ten Thousand Homes and send to:
Ten Thousand Homes
P.O. Box 118
Wylie, TX 75098
Please include a note designating it for care centers. You can also donate online by visiting www.TenThousandHomes.org and clicking the Donate button.)
No Comments