Christian Living

Shepherds In action

by jay supetran
06/02/18
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You have not strengthen the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. - Ezequiel 34:4

Working in countries that are not predominantly Christian gave me a glimpse of how God’s people are bringing His love to the ‘least of my brethren.’

In Cambodia, I met a guy who worked with an agency helping children. Beyond his regular work he was passionate in the fight against trafficking of children. He strongly denounced the syndicates doing this and was always in the forefront helping children in need.

A missionary couple supported house churches in Vietnam and occasionally visit the country to train the pastors. They have to hide while doing their training and equipping activities, because they will be deported if they are found out doing faith-related activities.

When violence erupted again in Rakhine State in Myanmar last year, I thought of a Christian friend who was working with an Islamic charitable institution helping the Rohingyas – the Muslim minorities who were the object of discrimination in the state. I was glad to know he was doing fine, doing God’s work of helping those who were persecuted.

I have fellowshipped with pastors whose congregations operate orphanages for those who lost their parents during the never-ending wars in Kachin, Shan and other states of Myanmar. The orphans are supported and given education. After finishing school, they are allowed to work or return to their places of birth. Most of the orphans usually choose to serve the church and become missionaries.

In Yangon, my wife and I joined a newly-formed congregation whose mission is to help students and workers learn or improve their English. Speaking better English open doors of work opportunities for the young people. Special English classes are offered free to workers of business establishment and those who attend are invited to the Sunday service. In the church, the songs, sermons and small group discussions are designed as occasions to teach and help improve their English.

Shepherds in action strengthen the weak, healed the sick and bound up the injured.  We may not be directly doing this, but we can help those who are in the forefront. We can do things within our means – pray, contribute finances, give time to lend a hand, share comforting words, and many more.

Let us just hope the words of prophet Exequiel will be irrelevant to us. Let us hope it will be passe’ as our church has confronted the challenges of our time.