GO! | CONFIDENCE
GO! | CONFIDENCE
May 22, 2021
By Scott Nordstrom
As I began to write I paused to consider the title of what I might be sharing in this post. As our ministry to vulnerable children continues to thrive, friction between who we are and who we might be in the future arises. As I pondered this, I thought we might describe our situation as at the ‘crossroads’ with Global Orphan Relief, but upon further reflection this is not where we are with our journey. There is no question that we are moving forward. There are no side roads or alternative routes to consider, only advancing forward for the heart of our King.
You see, I have a confidence that comes from way down deep inside. This confidence is not based on external factors, nor is it driven by emerging changes in our environment. It is also not presumption or simply positive thinking. This confidence moves me forward, and this movement of faith as we share in this common cause, in knowing that God will provide. Jehovah-Jireh as the scriptures proclaim.
Our intention was to add no new partnerships or new locations where we would serve orphaned children for 2021. As we considered what might be required to fund this year, we believed our task was already challenging with all of the new children we added the last half of 2020. By simply serving the children enrolled in our initiatives in December (2,708) for the entire year of 2021, the field resources required would be 50% more than 2020, or $77,500. This would be a monumental increase for our team even without new children to support.
Then January happened. Our policy is to not turn children in need away. We do leave this process up to our field partners; however, they are fully aware of our resource limitations. An increasing number of children started coming to our feeding locations in South Sudan during October, November, and December, but these numbers were not reported to us until January. In situations like this, current levels of support can continue, but as with a limited resource like food, portions would be reduced. In Q1 we were able to provide additional food for the children, but this was unbudgeted and unplanned.
The ‘lean’ season is upon us in South Sudan this month, will peak in July/August, and will run through September/October -depending on when the rains stop. Today, more hungry children are coming to school in the search for food, and the teams on the ground are making decisions in real-time to determine if they enroll additional children based on need. I expect that 600-700 additional children will come to our school locations in the need of food in the next 45-days. This is based on scarcity of food and no resources to provision this necessity for life in South Sudan today. Please pray for these field teams as they make decisions that will affect 1,000’s of children.
After more than seven years of intermittent conflict, South Sudan is one of the most food-insecure countries in the world. The poor conditions experienced by local populations is caused by a combination of ongoing violence, flooding, resultant population displacement, and disrupted trade, markets, and cultivation activities have exacerbated food insecurity and humanitarian needs. -US Aid
It is also comforting to realize that somehow the Lord connected us to serve in South Sudan, which is a place that is so desperate and unpredictable. While I realize that what the future holds for our work in South Sudan is unknown, we have been here before.
The Lord has provided for the children we serve thus far in 2021, and I have no reason to believe it will be different for the remainder of the year. Since our inception in 2005, we have ventured forward based on where God might lead and rarely have we been disappointed. The last four plus months have not been without challenges and I am sure that the next six months will have it’s share of difficulties, but there is a bold confidence that comes from being a son of the King. I just can’t deny it…
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. Today we serve 3,299 children in DR Congo, India, Pakistan, Kenya, South Sudan, and Zambia with our Home-based Care, Nutrition, and Scholarship Initiatives.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been involved with men’s ministry for the last 11-years. Scott has been instrumental in deploying 159 volunteers on 24 teams to the mission field, and has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Circle, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief (GO!) is a Christian relief agency serving vulnerable children and is a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations to GO!, or any charitable contribution processed through Network For Good Donor Advised Fund, are tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you prefer, you may provide gifts of support by sending via mail to the address above. For your convenience you may also give electronically at our website at GLOBAL ORPHAN RELIEF.