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God's Redeeming Work

By WMF Associate Director of Advocacy, Daphne Eck

Originally printed in The Cry: An Advocacy Journal of WMF, Vol. 11, No. 4 (Winter 2005)

“The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who bore me these? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. Who brought these up? I was left all alone, but these – where have they come from?’ ... those who hope in me will not be disappointed … all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer” (Isaiah 49:20-21,23,26).

Many of the beginnings in WMF’s short 14-year history were born of bereavement in dark and barren places. Just as Isaiah mourned for Israel, those in WMF grieved over the poverty, sin and darkness that haunts the earth – over sexually exploited little girls in Asia, child soldiers in Sierra Leone, abandoned elderly women in Nepal and street children all around the world. Our hearts were broken at the sight of such suffering and atrocity; we called out for God to bring the Kingdom to these darkest-of-dark places.

It seemed a näive and almost futile prayer, but we held to the promise that “those who hope in Him will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23). God eagerly waits for us to simply step out in faith and try the “impossible” – so that He can show all the world that He is the Lord, our Savior and Redeemer (Isaiah 49:26). He raised up a little band of young people, many scorned and rejected, who mourned for the dying and poverty-stricken of the world. It was a small movement, but one that was birthed in God’s compassion and love. Somehow it got off the ground and began to grow.

There have been times of walking through barren deserts. During the six years that I’ve been a part of WMF, I have sometimes felt alone and wondered if anyone cared, if I was crazy for attempting to bring redemption to unredeemable places. And then I would wake up from my stupor and walk by Emily’s desk. Emily accounts for and deposits all the checks you send to WMF. Faithfully, consistently, week-after-week, 100, 150, sometimes 200 people say a prayer for us as they write a check to WMF. Each gift sends hope like a message-in-a-bottle from a far-off place that says, “Yes! I, too, believe that God will redeem.” Thank you. As you have given, you have served the poor and your “yes” has helped to restore hope and value to God’s call on those whose vocation is among and for the poor and encouraged us to remain committed to the call.

We want to honor you for the creative and sacrificial ways you give of yourselves. People often share how they have interceded with tears over a story they have read in The Cry. Just this week, a newly married couple sent a generous donation saying, “We asked people to give to WMF in lieu of personal gifts at our wedding. Please accept the enclosed gift with our love.” Other families have decided to make, instead of buy, Christmas presents for each other, then given the money they would have spent to the poor. Some people have moved from the suburbs into smaller homes within the city, so they can give away more and be near to and know the poor. God is doing a new thing. From our own backyards to the other side of the world, we see Him cloaking His people with compassion and concern for the poor. I believe God is confirming to all of us His great pleasure as we do this together.

God has moved quickly in WMF. We know that this movement is not of our hands, but His; it is beyond what any human effort could do. He has moved so greatly that I think many of us are standing here, looking around and exclaiming, somewhat like Isaiah, “Who bore us these fruits of prayer? Who brought these abandoned children up in families? From where have these blessings come?”

WMF is growing so much that this year we are again saying, “This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.” His goodness and provision calls us into expanding areas of ministry, deeper levels of commitment and greater trust in Him.

You should have already received a letter from Christian Gray (U.S. Field Director) outlining some of the areas of the ministry that God is expanding and the needs that are associated with this growth:

1) The launching of Beggars Society – a U.S. based-ministry dedicated to the prophetic proclamation of God’s heart for the poor to our society,
2) The expansion of the Advocacy department,
3) The expansion of the Community Care department,
4) The completion of the physical office renovations, which will allow for the growth and change resulting from the above implementations.

These areas of growth are exciting beyond words for us and will, naturally, require new funding. We are asking for $61,000 to finish paying for the renovations, to cover the initial start-up costs for Beggars Society and expansion costs of advocacy and community care in 2006. Please consider joining in what God is doing in WMF us by giving a year-end gift to the general fund.

We thank you for joining in this work. Thank you for not leaving the poor alone and forgotten. Thank you for giving glory to God through your generous gifts and sacrifices. I pray that your heart would overflow with joy and gratitude as you continue to give yourself to Him. And may we together, give praise to our Redeemer for all He has done.

With Gratitude and Praise,
Daphne Eck