There is little more inspiring this summer than watching talented young people represent their nation and strive for the highest honor in their sport, something they’ve trained for their entire lives.
These past two weeks the Olympics have showcased the extremes of God-given potential. While every human being is not gifted to swim like Michael Phelps or back flip like Gabby Douglas, we’re each born with great promise. Sadly, too few realize even a portion of it. For many it boils down to the circumstances they’re born into, the tools they’re given to reach up and out of economic disparity, and the choices they make along the way.
In India, babies born to mothers from a lower caste system have little chance of reaching their potential. They are ascribed labels such as untouchable, outcast, and Dalit (meaning: broken people) even before they take their first breath. They look forward to a lifetime of poverty, along with abuse and oppression by others in higher castes and by those in authority.
The J127 Orphan Initiative* exists to help children, all from lower castes, realize their value in Jesus Christ – and to lead them to the One who can help them discover their gifts, talents, and the potential to tap into greatness.
Through this program, orphans – there are 20 million of them in India – find new life in Christ, character development, and life skills in a nurturing environment. The result? They may or may not grow up to be world-class athletes, but they’ll have tools to be strong leaders, courageous citizens, loving mothers and fathers, faithful husbands and wives, and especially devoted followers of Christ. This make them world-class people regardless of whether they become famous or win medals.
Once in a while a cliché is appropriate. These two pictures “are worth a thousand words.” They are before and after shots taken a year apart of children who are part of a J127 club* at an orphanage near the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. They show the power of faith, hope and love to transform kids who’ve known little of each. And if you look into their eyes, you’ll see amazing possibilities.
Please consider helping us help an orphan realize his or her potential in Jesus. For more information, see a video featuring the J127 Orphan Initiative*.
*Update: In 2018, David C Cook transferred oversight of the J127 clubs to an in-country partner which continues to shepherd and grow this program. By supporting David C Cook’s Life on Life curriculum, you will be helping support this program as well.
