Dhonnobad Tomader!!

Thanks to all of you who helped raise $350 to send 10 young people to Bangladesh Youth Camp.  But, I have to give a special shout out to the Sunday School class of First Pentecostal Church of Amite City, Louisiana!  They raised $114 to send three young people to Bangladesh Youth Camp!  DHONNOBAD TOMADER!!  (That's "Thank you!!" in Bangla).
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Anna Bobo

Owen Bryant

Haydan Graham

Landon Graham

Kaitlyn Peters
Mason Little (not in picture)

Mareck Little (not in picture)

Jesus Knows His Name

Recently, I began walking the few blocks from my house to the church in the mornings to pray.  The church is located on the 3rd floor of the building and has a great view of the street below leading to the main road.  I love looking out the window and watching the people because it gives me so much inspiration as I pray for the city of Dhaka and her people.  Today was no exception.

There are several mosques located in the neighborhood and the sounds of the call to prayer is heard multiple times daily.  Beggars are situated near the mosques to beg alms.  This morning, however, there was a beggar located outside the church window.  He was an elderly man, lame in the feet, wearing a once-white loincloth around his waist, a little Muslim cap, and nothing else.  He sat on the ground and held out his hand to people as they passed by, begging alms in a somewhat loud voice. No one gave.  No one stopped.  No one acknowledged his presence.  Then, he did something I will never forget.  He turned his head to the wall behind him and cried real tears of hopelessness, his frail body shaking.  He bent down, grabbed a piece of his loincloth, wiped away his tears, then returned to begging the people passing by.  A few minutes later, he turned again to the wall, dug up a piece of grass from the ground and ate it.  It was heart-wrenching to watch him; he was so pitiful.  Shortly after that, he scooted away, out of my sight.

My heart was pierced as I watched him.  It was the first time I viewed a beggar as a real human being rather than a nuisance.  The tears fell as I wept with compassion for this precious soul.  What was his name?  Did he have family?  Where did he live?  Has he always been lame?  This man was a real human being with a soul that God cared about.  Just like you.  Just like me.

Every time I hear the song, "He Knows My Name" my mind is transported back to this scene where I stood looking out the window in Dhaka, Bangladesh watching a beggar man on the street below me. The emotions and tears of compassion flood me anew.

No. I do not know the beggar man's name or anything else about him.  One thing I do know.  Jesus knows his name.  Jesus knows every move he makes.  Jesus sees every tear the beggar man cries. Jesus feels his overwhelming pain.  When the beggar man can't see the light of day, Jesus is there. Jesus cares.  Jesus loves the beggar man.

The real question is, "How does a Heavenly God demonstrate His love and compassion to such souls on earth?"  Through people...through you...through me.  We don't demonstrate God's love by throwing some money at the beggar's feet as we walk hurriedly by.  We demonstrate God's love when we stop, look the person in the eye, smile and say, "Hello.  How are you?" and then genuinely wait for a response. We demonstrate God's love when we reach out and touch the beggar person.  When we touch another person in an act of compassion, it is like touching the face of God Himself.

How will YOU demonstrate the love of Jesus to someone today?

Photo courtesy of http://banani.sixoranges.net/

Apollo Hospital

Today I took an interesting trip to another area of Dhaka to visit Apollo Hospital.  Due to tiny ear canals, I have to routinely have wax removed from my ears to prevent hearing loss.  So, today I visited an Ear Nose Throat (ENT) specialist to have this procedure performed.  Apollo Hospital and Clinic was completely different from the hospital we visited a few weeks ago to see patients of the Savar building collapse.  It is only fair that  I mention the Apollo hospital as well.  Not everything in Dhaka is "third world country" classification. This hospital was modern and clean.  It was almost like being in America again.  However, there were some very distinct cultural differences.

The registration area was outdoors in an atrium-type area.  This was disconcerting and refreshing at the same time.  After registration, I made my way upstairs to the ENT office.  I found a seat in the small waiting area and immediately noticed a few things.  First, the exam rooms and the doctor's office were approximately two feet away in full view of the waiting area.  Bangladesh is a very open society with hardly any privacy.  This clinic was no exception.  Next, each patient had 5-6 family members accompanying them to their doctor visit.  I figured out very quickly that it is generally unacceptable for a woman to go alone to the doctor in Bangladesh.  I got a "stare down" from another female during my entire wait.  No amount of smiles from me worked with this woman.  Oh well.

The doctor himself was a man of few words, but all action.  He asked me one or two questions, made a quick examination of my ears, performed the wax removal procedure and quietly left the room.  I was then escorted to his office to discuss the result of my examination.  I found this rather interesting because in America both the procedure and the discussion are done in the exam room.  Yet, it felt more polite and professional to discuss my exam in the doctor's office.

There is no moral to this blog post.  Just random thoughts and observations about another aspect of Bangladesh culture.

Accounting and Amazing Youth

Hmmm.  I'm beginning to think a missionary should possess an accounting degree prior to entering the field.  First of all, the monthly statement from headquarters is written in an accounting format and requires basic accounting knowledge to understand it.  Next, there is the task of formulating a budget prior to going on the field and then implementing it after arrival.  Believe me, there are many unforeseen items one must add to the budget after arrival in another country.  Then, there is the challenge of currency exchange from US Dollars to Bangladesh Takas (and Rupees for the India trips).  The Bangladesh Takas in and of themselves are especially challenging.  With each new change of government, Takas are often printed in different colors, designs, and sometimes sizes.  One must thoroughly inspect the Taka before handing it over in a business transaction.

Another aspect of accounting is the never-ending job of fund raising.  A missionary must not only raise financial support for his or her own expenses, but he or she must also raise support for various projects which serve as outreach efforts to win lost souls.  As an AIMer, I have been tasked to help solicit support for several projects here in Bangladesh.  Today, I will mention one of those projects, the Bangladesh Youth Camp.

In a country where Christians represent less than 2% of the population, gatherings of this nature for youth

are crucial to their spiritual growth.  The youth of Bangladesh are amazing as they currently lead worship, teach Sunday School, translate services, perform community outreach and the list goes on.  Attending youth camp will provide them with teaching and encouragement that will equip them to lead Bangladesh on even greater levels.  They will also have fun mingling and bonding with other young people who share their passion for God.

The Bangladesh Youth Camp will be held June 19-21 in Dhaka.  We are preparing for 200 youth to attend this year, dependent upon the funds available.  It costs $35 to send one young person to camp, all expenses included.  I can hear some parents saying, "I wish I could send MY child to camp for $35!!"  (Youth camps in the United States can cost anywhere from $85 to $150).  I have been tasked to raise $350...that will send 10 amazing Bangladeshi young people to Youth Camp.

If you would like to contribute, please email me at cynthiamartin2011@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance for your AMAZING financial support of this worthy project!!