A missionary goes to uncharted territory, and there is a dramatic sense of doing God's will. When God has time to work in that mission, the result is phenomenal. And what does it look like to say: "Every child is a child of God, and should be given every opportunity to learn, grow, and become all that God created them to be."
It looks like Ivory Coast, Africa. 17,000 students are part of the United Methodist School System of Cote d'Ivoire. Our annual conference partners with theirs. 49 schools offer elementary and kindergarten classes. (In our partnership, $600 scholarships a child for a year. Texans have selected 65 children for scholarships this year, and half are funded.)
We still have over 600 full-time missionaries working around the world. But Cote d'Ivoire is now a strong, growing, serving conference composed of large churches in cities and small rural churches. (We partnered with the NBA and Cote d'Ivoire Conference to carry out the "Nothing but Nets" anti-malaria program.) We are grateful to be able to honor leaders and pastors who grew up in that nation, and now lead a vibrant church.
And for the children, we know what eagerness-to-learn looks like in the face of a child; we who have much also have an opportunity: For a Child If this moves you, and you follow through, let me know. It will be an encouragement.
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