Tuesday 25 March 2014

Suffer little children to come unto me..... Matt 19:14 (KJV)

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I've always had a problem with this verse in the King James Version, as the words 'suffer' and 'little children' should never appear in the same sentence. We all know, of course, that suffer in the King James version is the Middle English form meaning allow and not the understanding of suffer as we use it today. Nevertheless today  we frequently read of children suffering: such as abuse cases very close at hand, and those suffering physically, emotionally  and educationally as they are unable to attend school as a result of the wars raging at present around the world,  and so it continues. We pray that these situations will cease and innocent children can live free lives again.

April's charity giving from St. Martin's is for RETRAK, a British based charity, working with street children in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Malawi giving them hope and new life.  Across the world there are hundreds of thousands of children living on the streets suffering hunger, poverty, abuse and violence.  Having been to Uganda and seen the work of RETRAK, we've witnessed the suffering and know of the many causes that bring these children onto the streets. 

In May we will be giving a presentation in Church on the work of RETRAK and how it is helping these children. On June 14th Carole is doing a sponsored skydive to raise funds for the street children. Many have said "Aren't you frightened?" The answer simply is - I've chosen to do this, my fear will only last a few minutes. Street children have no choice, their fear lasts for years. Each day they wake up not knowing if they will be alive at the end of it because of abuse at the hands of adults, lack of food, illness or disease.

At Easter we remember the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, giving us the gift of new life. RETRAK is giving an opportunity of a new life to the street children.

"Suffer little children to come unto me, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven"

                                Carole & David Gregory

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