Friend to Friend
Our world is not a happy place. Wars, rumours of war, earthquakes, raging wildfires, floods, drought, drying rivers, melting glaciers, and political instability are creating conditions never seen on this scale. We’re on the cusp of unknown crises to come. A recent international study reports that almost 50% of the world’s arable land is “depleted”. Food insecurity is widespread.
It’s no surprise, then, to hear that charitable funds are eroding. When we feel insecure we hold onto our money.
Yet the needs of those with whom we work – “the least of these” as Jesus put it – continue to grow. This means WOW has the challenge of facing increased need with potentially much reduced capacity to help.
By God’s grace our help, which “comes from the Lord” through you, has prevailed for over 25 years. But the prospect of less supply looms. We need your proactive help to not only avoid a crisis but to prevail in the battle.
In Exodus 17 there is an account of a battle between Israel and the Amalekites in the valley of Rephidim. Moses, accompanied by his friends, his brother Aaron and a trusted official Hur, stood on a hilltop overlooking the battle, his hands raised, holding “the staff of God”. From time to time, his arms weary, he lowered the staff. When he did so the Amalekites prevailed, when the staff was raised the Israelites prevailed. So his friends, Aaron and Hur, held up his arms until Israel won. Even the mighty man of God needed help. Help from his friends.
As you know our trusted “champions” in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and India are proven Christian soldiers. They are all pastors overseeing a large army of volunteers providing Home Based Care (HBC) to a multitude of orphans and widows. WOW holds up their arms. And that means you. Together WE are WOW.
Like many of you Kathy and I have been donors to WOW from the beginning and from time to time we have increased our giving to meet the increased need. This quarter requires an increase in giving and I’m asking you to consider increasing your gift, as the Lord leads.
For those of you who watch “Jim Cantelon Today“ you know I see it as the teaching of the Gospel even as WOW is the living of the Gospel. Slowly but surely the donor response to the program has grown as we explain to viewers that support of JCT TV is support for WOW. We’re expanding that reach by placing the program on several podcast platforms. This, in combination with our national television release on Canadian and American networks and our YouTube and Roku channels, should see the donor response continue to grow.
As well as expanding our reach I want to broaden our base. What if each of you, our donors, recommended WOW to a friend? FRIEND-TO-FRIEND. We all know there’s no better way to promote growth than word of mouth. Your endorsement has a lot of influence with your friends.
You can encourage them to access WOW’s website <www.wowmission.com> and our social media networks. They’re sure to be inspired by the ministry with whom you partner!
A lot of people want to give but they want to know their gifts are going to a ministry they can trust, that has stood the test of time, that is making a difference.
Jesus is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” and “he will never leave us nor forsake us”. He is the one who has called us to the least of these. He is their friend. He is our friend.
FRIEND TO FRIEND. God’s heart to ours. Ours to him and to others. FRIEND TO FRIEND holding up the faithful arms. Together there’s no fatigue.
Many blessings to you!
-Jim Cantelon
