Prior Editions
October 13, 2005
Missions
Minute - The Widow's Friend
Welcome to the second week of Missions
Month at Christ UMC. Each week this month, we will be highlighting one
missionary or ministry through the Mid-Week Musings. Below is an
update from Faith Willard serving with The Widow's Friend which seeks to
minister to the needs of widows and their children in Bangladesh As
you read the update, please remember Faith Willard in prayer as she shares
the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are lost without hearing it.
Bangladesh is home to 120 million people. It is one
of the world's poorest nations, suffering from over-population and
sustaining periodic natural disasters, such as floods and cyclones. These
natural disasters strike the country's economy as it is an
agriculturally-based economy. Many industry's are home-based. Child and
slave labor abound, making life very difficult and short. Medical care is
limited at best. Politically, Bangladesh is unstable. The primary religion
is Muslim, with a tentative freedom and tolerance for Christianity.
This is the world in which Faith Willard and The
Widow's Friend ministers. The six outreaches of The Widow's Friend
include: The Widow Center, the Telegu and Tongi Clinics, Home of Joy, Home
of Joy High School, the Tongi School for the Deaf, and the Monipuripara
Hostel.
Over 135 women are assisted in becoming
self-sufficient which enables them to keep and support their children at
the Widow Center. The mothers and their children receive food, clothing
and medical necessities for their work of noshi khanta, a detailed
embroidery craft found only in Bangladesh.
Please pray:
- for the children (especially Leya and Namita) who
have recently returned to their relatives in their villages.
- for the marketing of the embroideries, that God
will interest others in helping with this.
- for financial needs to be supplied especially
money to purchase a building to be used as a hostel and a place for
Home of Joy children to use when they go to Dhaka to study.
- for foreign and local staff's financial, health,
and spiritual needs.
Contact Address:
The Widow's Friend
P.O. Box 103
Forestdale, MA 02644
Godspeed,
Pastor John
Mid-Week
Musings
An
Occasional bulletin from Christ United Methodist Church