November last year, I visited Myanmar to help with CMI™ there and was appalled to see a very small child walking along the center line of a quite busy road. Vehicles were passing by dangerously. Nevertheless, he seemed so confident with what he was doing. Renee, the national director of CEF Myanmar, did not seem to bother. If it were in Sydney where I live, the boy's parents will have been indicted for child abuse.

What makes the difference? The society and culture, of course. That's why in some developed parts of the world, Good News Clubs® (GNC™) are so hard to run. Parents are suspicious when they hear of a "free kid's club" in a neighborhood home. When asked to send their children to GNC, they try to figure out "the hidden catch" of such a ridiculous gathering.

If you live in a society and culture where parents are not over-protective of their children, thank God that you have an enormous opportunity to run the Club. But if you live in a society where people always talk about child abuse, don't give up without trying. It's difficult to start the club in such environment. Once it is established though, you will enjoy running it and will find more Gospel sharing opportunities.

PEOPLE ARE IN NEED

People everywhere are struggling with all kinds of problems, regardless of their social or economic status. When you run your GNC and teach neighborhood kids, the parents will approach you, and share with you their concerns, worries and hopes. Your job is to listen, pray for them and with them. In certain cases, do what you can to help solve their problem.

I have a GNC in my home every Friday afternoon. We had 15 kids attending last year, and we expect new comers this year. One of the children in the club is a girl named Eunyung. She is a classmate of Joseph, my first son. One day, her mother confided to my wife that she needed to leave the country soon. She is Korean and we found out that she is married to an Australian citizen. She was going through severe domestic violence and her husband abruptly cancelled her visa sponsor. She is a Christian but cannot attend church due to her husband's objection.

I felt this was a sign from God to call her back to Him. I arranged for her to get a lawyer to protect herself, and helped her find a place to stay. She is still in Australia and her daughter keeps coming to my GNC. Now, she and her two daughters go to church every Sunday.

Then there is this parent of another girl who attends club. She comes from a different religious background. When she recently moved into a new house, she had nightmares and saw spirits while awake at night. Two hours of sleep is all she could get in a week's time, terrified by the experiences.

Not knowing what to do, she brought Holy Water from her church and applied it in every part of her house. When it did not work, we were invited to pray for her and for the house. It was a good opportunity to share the Gospel. I told her the best protection would come from within her, not from outside like the Holy Water or the Cross which she hangs on the walls. I shared with her how Jesus came to earth and died to set people free from the forces of the evil spirits. She has never asked Jesus into her heart and has not read the whole Bible before. Praise the Lord, she decided to accept Jesus as her personal Savior. The nightmares were gone!

OPEN THE DOOR!

Look around your neighborhood. You will note that people are going through various problems. They will not come to you if you are "just one of the neighbors." They will come, however, if you are known as a children's Bible teacher and a trustworthy Christian. The door of opportunity to share the Gospel will be open to you.

I understand running a GNC is not easy, especially if you live in a highly developed country. But remember God placed you in such a circumstance, not to frustrate but to encourage you to bear the burden where ever you are. You may not be appalled to see a small boy walking in the center line of a busy road, but you will be awed to see the door of opportunity open

DAVID RA
Asst to the Regional Director
CEF AP Family News
Jan-Mar 2007