Help with Food
It is not always perfect - foto @gift Gift Habeshaw
We want to celebrate mothers this month and we are asking you to help a stranger. Just as the Bible tells us. The mothers we want you to help are far away and have a hard life with little joy.
"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Cor. 9:6-12 (ESV)
Becoming a mother or a mom is one of the biggest things that can happen in a woman's life. My own happiness to be a father has been unmatched by all other earthly events. From my own experience, I have gained an enormous admiration for all mothers. My wife Maria has had the good fortune to be a mother twice. Sadly, not all mothers have the opportunities and care my wife has had.
Every mother deserves to experience happiness at that moment when she, for the first time, holds her child in her arms. But if you become a mother at the wrong time in life, happiness can be flooded by worry over what kind of life you will be able to give your child.
Having a baby when you are still a child yourself always poses great challenges and risks. Even here in the United States, it is difficult but it’s even harder and very often life-threatening if you live in extremely poor conditions. In the poorest countries, many fears hang like a dark shadow over mother and child. A common fear is that they will not be able to finish their education and subsequently result in a life of continued hopeless misery. I admire all the young women who, despite their situation, do not give up. I've seen proof of their fighting spirit around the world, and when they show this spirit, we cannot look away. It's not just our responsibility to help - it's a great opportunity! These young mothers don’t prefer a hand-out; they ask for an education so they will be able to support themselves. All we have to do is give them a chance, a “hand-up”.
Join us in celebrating Mothers this month and especially on "Mothers Day" by being there for mothers in need! Celebrate with an extra gift for the mothers - for the sake of their children too. Both are worth it, right?
With just a smidgeon of help or a hand up, some girls can do great things, here is one example:
Left Mariela - with Danisa
32-year-old Mariela is a living example of what it may mean to receive support when you need it the best. She belongs to the minority people, Toba, in Argentina and was only 16 years old when she had her daughter Danisa. From day one they had to manage without Dani's father, but Mariela had something that most people around her did not have, support from Star of Hope. It has taken time but she has struggled step by step to continue her education. Three years ago she was accepted into the University of Castelli, 60 miles from her hometown. In three more years she will be a graduate with a law degree and work as a lawyer. "I never could have gone to school without the support from Star of Hope and my mother. Both have been there all the time and for the help, “she says. It's not just about financial support for school fees and school materials. She points out, "They are always there for me, and they lead and support me. Many believed that I was sentenced to a life of poverty when I had a child so young, but Star of Hope continued to believe in me and my dreams and goals. Reaching my dreams have been very tough, but definitely worth fighting for.”
David Johansson, Mariela, Maria and Mark Presson - 2017
Give a seed to help the single girls who are pregnant or have children. Remember many of the girls had no choice in the matter and we are not talking about just being coerced, we are talking about forced or worse.
GIVE TO THE GIRL MOMS HERE AND NOW
