THE COUNTRY OF BANGLADESH
...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:13-14
THE COUNTRY OF BANGLADESH
...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:13-14
What we do IN Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Leadership Training
Many many years ago, William Carey came to Bangladesh and planted churches. As the work grew it was all controlled and managed by foreign missionaries. When world events required the missionaries to go back home—to their great detriment, the country was left with a huge leadership vacuum and crisis, and things suffered greatly. So our mission is to establish and strengthen national pastors and leaders so that the churches can be healthy whether we are physically there or not. We do this by conducting seminars, teaching Bible school students, and providing study and teaching materials in their language to equip them in their callings.
Home of Peace
In northern Bangladesh, there is a place called the Home of Peace. It is a free boarding school for approximately 500 children from around the country. These are “at-risk” children that are mostly from families that have been abandoned by the father, or orphans. They are very susceptible to human trafficking and child labor. Some of the children come from very remote places, where they have to walk out of the jungle for a day to get to a road, where they can catch a bus or train for another day in order to get to school. The Home of Peace gives these precious little individuals a future and a hope. They are given spiritual and standard education, along with 3 nutritious meals a day, a nice place to sleep, as well as clothes, shoes, and medical services. While many of them have some level of sponsorship, it is not nearly enough to provide all their basic necessities. Vessels of Mercy Ministries works to raise funds to fill in the gaps. This often includes shoes, clothes, medical help, and extra money for food when prices soar. This also includes practical items like a generator, a septic tank, water wells, and a school building. Children are the future of any nation. Jesus taught us in Luke 9:48 “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me.”
Rural schools and water wells
In the United States, we have enough clean water that it helps flush waste down our toilets. In Bangladesh, many babies, children, and adults die each year because they simply do not have access to safe drinking water. One of the ways we help show the love of God is by drilling wells and installing hand pumps to provide safe, accessible water for everyone in the community. Another way we express God’s love and concern for them is by building small, community, one-room schoolhouses for areas that have none. These buildings provide general education throughout the week, and spiritual instruction on the weekends.
UPDATES IN BANGLADESH
Whether we're in the country or home in the United States, we are in constant communication with our friends in Bangladesh. Here's the latest update:
Blessed Beyond Measure
When I was growing up there was a swing set in our back yard on which my siblings and I spent many hours happily playing, ignorant of the fact that there were millions of children around the world who never had that opportunity. On our recent trip to the Home of Peace in Bangladesh, we had the pleasure of celebrating the opening of a playground within the walls of their compound. Many of these children had never seen or played in such a place. I wish each one of you could have seen the sheer joy on their faces and heard the excitement and precious laughter as the children glided down the slides and soared on the swings. It was like the carnival had come to town! Thank you to each one who partners with us to bring food, clean water, warm clothing, blankets and hearts filled with joy to those we serve.
ABOUT BANGLADESH
With a population of 180 million, Bangladesh is the 8th largest country in the world. It is also one of the most densely populated. Imagine the 8th largest nation on earth packed into an area 8,500 square miles smaller than Wisconsin! The average rural worker makes about $2 a day. It is a land awaiting harvest. In the early 1800's William Carey traveled to this region, planted 14 churches, and translated the Bible. The seed has been sown. The seed is still being sown. Harvest is beginning to happen. Approximately .5% consider themselves believers. Professing faith does not make life easier, it requires absolute commitment.
The greatest treasure of any nation is the people. The people of Bangladesh are beautiful people. God loves them. He cares about them. He cares about their children. He hears their cries. He has not forgotten them.
Vessels of Mercy is bringing relief to this nation in a variety of ways. By helping build schools for minority people groups, by helping to provide clean drinking water for whole communities, by helping to support a children's home for 500 orphans and high-risk children we are demonstrating the love of God. We are bringing hope to the next generation. We are helping children receive training and education so that they can be the next generation of leaders.
God is the solution to all of Bangladesh's difficulties and challenges. God is bigger than the biggest needs. We are thankful to be a part of what God is doing in this wonderful nation!
Interested in supporting our ministry IN BANGLADESH?
Does learning about Bangladesh make your heart leap? We'd love you to support a country or people you feel excited to help. Would you join us in bringing God's mercy to Bangladesh?