Generosity Small Enough to Change the World

One of our partners in Africa once told me “Even the mighty Victoria Falls began with one drop of rain.” I will never forget that conversation or the lessons I learned that night about God’s provision. When we respond to the call to service, there is no telling how God will enhance, magnify, and multiply each individual act of generosity into an enormously powerful and far reaching impression on the world.

To me, Forgotten Voices represents all that God can accomplish when even a few people are willing to sacrifice of their time and resources in order to serve the needs of others. Through what started as a very small group of committed volunteers, God has blessed our efforts and used the resources of our donors to make a difference in the quality of life for thousands of vulnerable children and their communities devastated by the AIDS pandemic.

Although, I am no longer involved in the day to day operations of the organization, our family is committed to continuing to donate our time and resources to Forgotten Voices throughout the year. We know from experience that a small sacrifice here can mean a world of impact for our brothers and sisters around the world.

Matt Hoover - Forgotten Voices Board Member and Director of Commercial Leasing, Triple Crown Corporation

Here I Am

Two weeks ago today, I stepped off an 18.5 hour return flight from South Africa. I'd taken a group of pastors from Central Pennsylvania to see the work that Forgotten Voices is doing in southern Africa. In a two week whirlwind tour we visited Zimbabwe, Zambia and spent one night in South Africa. We visited with roughly 15+ families and met with only a handful of the 150 churches that partner with Forgotten Voices. We experienced humorous moments - see picture of baby monkey chewing on Julie’s ear - and heartbreaking moments - like the visits with families who had no food and no seed to plant. We prayed, we laughed, we cried, but most importantly we had the opportunity to meet true heroes of the faith. We spent time with devoted pastors, listening to what their church is doing to help their communities, praying with and for them, encouraging them and rejoicing with them over the work that is being accomplished.

Every single day these men and women arise from their beds and say, “Here I am Lord, use me.” Throughout the day they change their hats - one second they are a pastor, the next they are counselor, a social worker, a business man or woman working on income-generating projects to benefit their communities. They put on each hat with a spirit of humility and a reliance on God and the Spirit to lead, guide, and direct them. When you sit with these men and women you can begin to see what it means to be the Church in the community. Each of our project partners adds a unique approach to addressing the AIDS crises. They develop locally-relevant action plans for meeting the needs of children who have been orphaned by AIDS and other vulnerable children in their network.

I love volunteering for Forgotten Voices to help equip our church partners to fulfill their action plans for their communities. I have witnessed firsthand the value these action plans bring to a community and have seen our partners transforming communities one child at a time.

I serve by leading our volunteers here in the United States and helping run the day-to-day operations of our ministry. Forgotten Voices has roughly 30+ volunteers in the USA who help us equip our brothers and sisters in southern Africa. We are looking to grow our volunteer network throughout 2011. If you are interested in volunteering please visit this link for volunteer opportunities.

In closing, my challenge to you is to arise each day with the spirit of “Here I am Lord, use me.” Learn from our partners, grow along with us as God continues to reveal new things about Himself, and participate with us in making a permanent change in the life of children.

Nate Shaffer - Volunteer Executive Director