Friday, August 7, 2015

Hope Through Education

Children in Pakistan waiting for a school to be built
so they can receive an education.

God has clearly shown us what our next big phase of ministry in foreign lands will be - providing education for those who no hope of receiving one. We are calling it “Hope Through Education.”

Love In Action started helping in this area in the Philippines when we first provided school scholarships to children in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Nortre, Philippines. We continue to provide scholarships, and this year we were blessed to give 60 children the opportunity to go to our church-sponsored schools in different cities in the Philippines. These schools are operated out of churches LIA sponsors. The children receive a quality education and they also learn about Jesus.

In many Asian countries, children are not afforded the opportunity to attend school like children in the U.S. They have to pay to attend school. Most pay US$50, which doesn’t sound like much. However, when your family struggles to survive on a dollar a day, food and water trumps education.

Love In Action built our first school in Punta, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, two years ago. It has turned out to be a wonderful blessing as it is now one of the top schools in that area.

We believe God is leading Love In Action to build many more schools in the Philippines, Haiti and Pakistan. Why? The obvious reason is education. We believe a quality education is one of the main keys to overcoming poverty. Study after study proves this to be true.

Another reason for building schools is they can double for churches. Many of the areas we are in, it can be dangerous to build a church because of Islamist extremists. Constructing a school building would be safer than telling these communities we are building a church.

These schools will also be safe havens for children who often find themselves in bad situations at home. The schools will also be places where they will receive at least one good meal a day, which is one more than most receive now.

Our schools will be made out of cement block with metal roofs, and constructed to withstand many of the storms that hit these countries. Dothan architect Joe Donofro has offered his services for free to draw plans for these schools so contractors in each area can build them properly.

Each school will have fresh water and restrooms. In places like Pakistan, it can be extremely dangerous for children to go to the restroom, because most homes don’t have them. With the threat of human trafficking, children are easy prey for predators when they are walking out in the fields to find a place to go to the restroom. There are also dangerous animals in most areas.

Most of these schools can be constructed for US$10,000. That’s not a lot of money to provide education, church, food, fresh water and restrooms for these precious children.

Our next school will be built in Pakistan. We already have US$5,000, so we are halfway there. Please consider giving to help us build this school and many more. A little American money can go a long ways overseas. Please help us help these precious children. And, in doing so, we will also reach their families. Many families have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior from the few schools we have been supporting.

We are also starting a fund to pay teachers and provide food for each school. Just $100 a month will pay for one teacher, and $200 a month will provide food for the children each month. Compare that to the costs in the U.S. and you see how little it takes to change lives for the glory of God.

Please help us. Send you tax deductible donations to: Love In Action International Ministries, P.O. Box 85, Dothan, AL 36302. Please write in the memo of your check, “Building Schools.”

The children are waiting for us. Will we respond?

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