Rescue, Restore, Empower: Three Ways You Change People’s Lives

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:19

Christ is certainly in the business of saving lives, and by donating, you become the hands and feet of Jesus in that area. But you rescue people from more than just physical harm—you rescue from abuse and neglect, from starvation and poverty. It’s the comfort you bring from reaching out to people in their worst times and saying, “Let me help you up.”

MR. OBMO’S STORY

After Mr. Ombo was diagnosed with AIDS, his health rapidly declined. His wife left him, taking their children with her. After nine days with nothing to eat, unable to even take his medication, Mr. Ombo prepared to take his own life.

Then, a BGR partner came to Mr. Ombo’s house and gave him something to eat. The worker promised to put Mr. Ombo on a list to receive a food box every other month. With the food,  his strength slowly returned. Now, Mr. Ombo has found the will to live. He proudly tends a vegetable garden in his backyard and has the energy to invite his children over for visits. He’s no longer on his deathbed; he’s looking forward to life with hope.

Read Mr. Ombo’s full story here.   

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

Restoration means returning something that has been lost or taken. People in the developing world lose so many things they fear they’ll never get back. They lose their homes. Their health. Their sense of security and self-worth. Giving to BGR is an act of giving back, quite literally, the things people need to lead a meaningful life.

AMEIR’S STORY

In his church choir, Ameir sang from the depths of his soul. But then, he started having frequent seizures. His community thought he was possessed by demons and forbade him from singing in the choir. The seizures were bad, but the agony of rejection, of being kept from worshipping God—that was the worst.

Then, a BGR-funded medical team brought a portable EEG machine to his village and was able to diagnose his seizures. With medication, Ameir went six months without a seizure. Now, he’s been welcomed back to the choir. You helped restore Ameir’s health, acceptance in his community, and (maybe most importantly) his voice.

Read Ameir’s full story here.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Giving people the means to survive is important, yes, but God intended people to thrive, not just survive! Empowerment is how dreams get their wings. A single mother starts her own business. A refugee learns a new language and lands a job. A community no longer needs foreign aid and sets an example for others. You help give people a future they never thought possible.

PATRICIA’S STORY

60-year-old Patricia participated in a BGR-funded agricultural training and learned how to grow vegetables on steep, sloping land. She even started selling some for extra money. But Patricia set her eyes on much bigger things. She saw a way for everyone in her community to benefit.

As a respected leader, she organized her own training and asked a BGR teacher to lead it. Then, she recruited a dozen families to go through the training and teach what they’d learned to other villagers. Her drive to help her community is unstoppable. She’s taken other BGR community development classes to learn even more ideas. With a little knowledge and a lot of ambition, Patricia is changing the lives of her own people.

Read Patricia’s full story here.