| Say the word "missionaries" to most people and | | | | indoctrinates their charges. Rather, they put the |
| they'll probably give you the standard reply of, "Oh, | | | | teachings of the Bible to practical, everyday use. |
| that's someone who knocks on my door wanting to | | | | Such teachings may include forgiveness, where |
| talk about God, right?" | | | | communities have been torn apart by war, or |
| Wrong. | | | | accepting those who are sick, such as the millions of |
| Modern day missionaries are very different from the | | | | HIV and AIDS victims in sub Saharan Africa. With a |
| stereotypical image that most people have of them. | | | | concerted effort by everyone, child poverty and its |
| Modern day missionaries are committed not only to | | | | root causes can become a thing of the past. |
| their faith, but also to upholding the Christian values | | | | Making a difference with child poverty |
| of charity, love and helping those who need it most. | | | | Modern day missionaries don't turn anyone away. |
| They work tirelessly in some of the poorest parts of | | | | Any child or adult in need is welcomed and brought |
| the world to help those trapped in a spiral of | | | | into a safe environment where they can start to |
| poverty. In addition, they help the most vulnerable of | | | | piece their lives back together, even if that's |
| all the children. | | | | something as simple as inoculating children against |
| Child poverty is a growing crisis. UNICEF reports that | | | | common childhood diseases such as mumps or |
| more than 1 billion people survive on less than a dollar | | | | measles. They're helping communities build schools so |
| a day. That means millions of children are living in | | | | that children can be educated out of child poverty, |
| abject poverty, unable to access decent medical | | | | and have the chance to make a difference in their |
| treatment, education or even clean drinking water. | | | | country and their communities as well as in their own |
| The problem is so enormous that aid charities alone | | | | lives. Missionaries are primarily concerned with making |
| have difficulty coping. This is where modern day | | | | sure these people are safe, fed and cared for. Once |
| missionaries often step in. | | | | the practicalities of existence have been dealt with, |
| A long term solution | | | | then they can talk about God. |
| The problem with a lot of charitable aid is that it is | | | | God's wisdom is seen in the actions of the |
| used as a "fire fighting" approach only going in when | | | | missionaries; it's what they do every day to preserve |
| the situation is dire and often almost beyond control. | | | | that most precious of things life. In countries where |
| Because of this short term approach, many aid | | | | one of the biggest problems may be a language |
| organizations struggle to tackle the root causes of | | | | barrier, modern day missionaries speak a universal |
| child poverty, a lack of sustainable progress, long | | | | language of love, compassion and caring for the |
| term development, and rebuilding communities. | | | | people around them. In addition, they are making a |
| Missionaries are there for the long haul. Their | | | | real difference in the lives of children in poverty. That |
| commitment is to the community they're assigned to, | | | | can be teaching the Psalms or something as simple as |
| acting as a focal point, mentor, doctor and teacher | | | | a hug and some reassurance to a frightened child. |
| for everyone who needs their help. | | | | So, next time missionaries knock on your door, ask |
| Missionaries do not discriminate on the grounds of | | | | them in for a coffee. You never know they may |
| belief. Yes, they are there to spread the message of | | | | actually have something to say that inspires you to |
| hope Jesus Christ can bring, but not in a way that | | | | help end extreme child poverty. |