Every year, the red buckets and ringing bells come out. The advertisements, the pleas, and the opportunities to give overwhelm us. Knowing where to give, how our investment will be spent, and what the goal of each project is can be confusing—daunting even. This is one reason we’re so careful about how we approach the Green Bean Project and why we seek to meet specific ministry needs.
Since its inception, the goal of the GBP has been to have a relevant part in the lives of these children. Not just throwing funds somewhere, hoping they’ll land in good hands and make some kind of difference. No. The goal has always been to give YOU an opportunity to give knowledgeably to the specific needs of the ministries working with these children and pointing them toward Christ. That’s why each year, we take the time to share with you the needs we’re seeking to meet.
Over the years, many of the specific needs we’ve focused on have been relatively small: textbooks, clothing, shoes, etc. But these ministries have much bigger needs. I would like to see us, all of us who have stood behind the Green Bean Project over the years, get behind THEM this year. Let’s show our love, concern, and sincerity by putting as much effort into the project as possible. Below, I will list the needs of each ministry. Please, read through this with an open and prayerful heart. Ask the Lord not only how He would have you give, but also how He would have you encourage others to participate as well.
SE Asia Needs
Imagine having a children’s home in your own home. Then imagine that you know there are children around you in desperate need of help, but having to repeatedly turn them away because you have no place to put them, your house is already full. This is what the Southeast Asia ministry is facing. In 2017, they had to turn away 20 children. Many of the children are the babies of girls who have been “dedicated to the temples.” When these sex slaves eventually have children of their own, no one wants to care for them…no one but this ministry. Last year’s Green Bean Project gift was the first official gift toward their project to buy land and build a children’s home that will allow them to take in more children. This year, the gifts will go to the same need.
Central Asia
Last year, we focused on several big projects from the ministry in Central Asia. Their playground equipment was not only falling apart but dangerous. Chunks were falling out of their kitchen counters. This year, they have many similar needs including: Winter shoes for 16 children, the garage roof needs to be replaced, the boys’ dorm needs a new fence (which is a definite safety and security issue), they need coal for heating, winter potatoes, and are now paying $1000/month in school fees. This ministry has faced enormous difficulties over the last year. What a joy it would be to see many of these needs met through this year’s Green Bean Project.
Africa
The ministry in Kenya continues to grow and grow. When I first made contact with them in 2010, they had one school with 45 children. Now, They have just opened their fourth school and serve approximately five hundred children, including 38 orphans. They live on a very tight budget and yet have mentioned only two specific needs: 1) A school bus and 2) food, clothing, and school books for the orphans. With this many children, I’m sure you can see how truly great these two needs would be.
Billings, MT
Over the last year, we’ve seen God do some exciting things in the local ministry in Billings. As a result of last year’s Green Bean Project we were able to provide multiple fatherless families with things like food, clothing, new tires, and assistance during medical crises. Through this outreach, we have seen God working in hearts. Two women came to Bible study as a direct result of relationships built around the clothing exchange and items provided through last year’s GBP. The funds from the Green Bean Project allow us to meet specific needs in these families’ lives as those needs arise. Sometimes, the need might be to help someone move or the purchase of basic toiletries. Sometimes it might be a small vehicle repair or to help them with food as they’re going through a difficult time. Always, the goal is to share the love Christ as we do so.
2018 Project Goal
For this year, we’ve set a minimum financial goal of $5,000. But if you read this carefully, you can clearly see that much more is needed. As always, the final amount will be split evenly between the four ministries. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could give each of them $5,000?!
This Christmas find joy and confidence in your holiday giving. Honor Christ by reaching “the least of these” and making a difference in the lives of children around the world.
