The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
By Pastor Brian Gold, Flin Flon Pentecostal Church While we're on the cusp of a new year think back and remind yourself of all God's blessings (real and perceived) that we've received. Perhaps you drive long distances throughout the year - say "thanks" to God for all the times you've travelled from point A to point B without incident. Most of us can be grateful for the quality food we've had access to and were able to eat. Relative peacefulness and order in our country is one we shouldn't forget. What about good neighbours that live beside us? Clean drinking water is available, too, not requiring a personal ultraviolet filter to kill unknowns. Yet, in much of our world, there are problems Canadians know little about. Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, was in South Africa a few years ago when he asked God, "What are the problems that are so big, nobody could say they've been met?" He says God showed him five specific global problems, what he calls the Five Giants: spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy. Some of these exist on most continents of our world, though the latter three are most prevalent in Africa and in slums of large cities. What difference can each one of us make when it comes to these Big 5? It is great to see the involvement of many in supplying used clothing to go to the Dominican Republic (Aune's trip). Many are aware of the campaign by the U.N. to eradicate malaria by use of nets. Malaria still kills more in Africa than any other cause. We know that HIV has spread throughout Africa and some Asian countries; this is where egocentric leadership has to be overcome. Drugs are available to treat the HIV effects but the will of large western pharmaceutical companies isn't there to bring the cheaper generic drugs to Africa and HIV victims. Most of us can help with the poverty aspect. This past year my family partnered with a couple that is making a difference with infants in Kenya, having constructed an orphanage. Nothing too elaborate on our part but something to say we're buying some food and care for children who have been abandoned. I always thought it is better to partner with someone who is already doing the work than try to duplicate the effort some other way. Rick Warren sends out an acrostic for his cause of eradicating the Big 5 problems that our global village is experiencing. It goes like this: P - Provide Hope E - Equip servant leaders A - Assist the poor C - Care for the sick E - Educate the next generation Many times we think we have the answers for needy parts of our world. But things are usually more complex than what we know. There are underlying reasons why things are not done efficiently and effectively in impoverished countries, such as dictators and politics, droughts, black markets, and the like. Think how you might make a tangible difference in another part of the world, no matter how small, and begin to do it. All of us can provide hope to others! Happy New Year With Peace On Earth!!!
