Charity organizations don’t always have the best reputation. Some folks get tired of charities always asking for a hand out. Some wonder if funds are being misappropriated; is the organization too religious, or it’s easy to wonder if the charity is actually making a lasting difference!!
I have had all of these feelings. When I first conceived the idea and later the conviction that I needed to build a children’s home and school in Nepal, it was a rough road. The first hurdle was the fact that not one person believed that I could (or should) take on the project. I am not a moneyed person, which made fundraising necessary, so I learned first hand how difficult that is. Many times in the past 20 years people have asked me why I do what I do. Countless times I’ve been told, ‘There are so many kids in need. What you do is just a drop in the bucket.’ Mark Batterson, in his book, The Grave Robber, says, “If we feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, we often don’t do anything about it because we don’t think we can make a difference.”
Yes, what we do if definitely a drop in the bucket but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable! In the beginning of this ministry there were times when I had doubts. But now, years later, I’ve had the on-going process of getting to know the children, watching them grow up, seeing them become productive young adults in society. And I can tell you without a doubt, it’s been completely worth it! I know first hand where these children came from, how they had no chance of education or success. When I start having doubts about the quantity of children we are helping all I have to do is look at the success of the grown up children we have already helped. I often have the thought, what if that one was me? Or my child? Believe me when I say, the one that was given a new life considers it very valuable.
John F Kennedy said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”