“Suffer the little children . . . for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

Dear Friends,

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this scripture passage. I’ve talked about it in school, in sermons -- even with my friends and acquaintances. It almost seems as if it is a verse nearly everyone is familiar with. But to many, one of the things that is at the heart of this passage still hasn’t become clear. Please read on and I will try to explain.

Recently, I received a letter from Fr. Jean La Vacher -- a Missionary of Africa working in Masindi in Northern Uganda. There, Fr. Jean -- along with other dedicated missionaries and volunteers -- works to provide food, clothing, water, medicine, education and shelter to some of the tens of thousands of children who have been displaced by the civil war in their neighboring country of Sudan.

“With the help of Bishop Paride of southern Sudan,” Fr. Jean explains in his letter, “we have set up a school for some of the Sudanese orphans. The school was established for the neediest children . . . those who cannot return home even after the civil war ends.”

“You see,” he continues, “these children were forced to become ‘child soldiers’ by the local fighting groups. They were forced to do unspeakable things -- they were brainwashed, forced to kill friends and relatives. Now, even though they have escaped from their captors, they cannot go home. Too many people will never forgive them for the atrocities. They are children without a home.”

“There are more than 500 boys and girls here at the Blessed Damian School. They have come from various refugee camps. While they are here, we are trying to teach them how to read and write as well as help them develop skills such as gardening . . . things that will help them when they leave to live on their own. We obviously also have to feed them as well as provide shoes and clothing, clean water, medicine and teach them personal hygiene. Nearly all of these boys and girls have been abused and beaten. Now it is up to us to help them heal. . . but we need help to make this happen.”

“There are so many things we need in order to finish building the school compound as well as to continue providing for the physical needs of the children,” Fr. Jean concludes. “As I write this letter, we are still needing a fence around the compound (to ensure the safety of the children and staff); a dormitory; a dining hall; medicine and soap. We also need funds for maize, beans, salt, cooking oil and rice.”

“Please, is there any way you can help us in our work with these refugee children?”

My friend, as I read Fr. Jean’s letter, I could not help but think of how our Lord Jesus commanded his disciples to“suffer” -- that is “care for, respect and even imitate” -- the
little children. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those with child-like faith! But in our world today, just as in biblical times, children are being abused, tortured and mistreated in ways too horrible to imagine. What pain and suffering the boys and girls at Fr. Jean’s school have been forced to endure at the hands of their captors! Without a doubt, they have been scarred for life.

But perhaps we can provide at least some measure of comfort to those Fr. Jean wrote about.

I am hoping we can send at least $35,000 to help provide food, clothing, medicine and other
essentials for the children. I am also praying we can send an additional $15,000 to help in the building of the school. I really do not know how much you can send, but is there some amount you can offer to help these boys and girls who have lost everything? Whatever gift you can send -- large or small -- will be a blessing for those who are suffering more terribly than any should ever have to. And to think that they are children! I pray that God will richly bless you for your caring and mercy.

Your Missionary Friend,

Fr. John P. Lynch, M. Afr.