International (MNN) – In the midst of the #MeToo conversation on sexual harassment and assault, RiverCross is championing a new perspective – #ThemToo.
Around the world more than 150 million vulnerable children live in appalling conditions. Their everyday experiences are marked by sexual abuse, prostitution, human trafficking, forced labor, and other horrors.
But there is hope. Every day caregivers reach out to orphans and other vulnerable to children to show them the love of Christ. However, they need help. Stepping into the lives of children marked by this kind of loss is difficult and painful.
(Photo courtesy of RiverCross)
That’s why RiverCross, a ministry of Trans World Radio (TWR) exists. The non-profit is passionate about bringing children out of places of hurt and into the everlasting peace and joy that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
RiverCross created the #ThemToo to allow those who are not directly serving vulnerable children to join the fight. They can help champion hope by supporting audio programs that reach kids around the world with the Gospel.
Specifically, the #ThemToo campaign funds will benefit the Jabota Bridge radio program, a follow-up to the globally successful Holding Esther program.
Tackling the tough stories
Cindy Finley, a Global Ministry director for RiverCross, explains a little more about the program. “Jabota Bridge is an audio drama. And we’re in pre-production for the first 8 episodes of Jabota Bridge and it truly is the story of a woman whose name is Naomi. She is an indigenous caregiver and she runs a safe house. And all of the kids are kids who have been orphaned, or are on the street, and experiencing war or are refugees and it’s just the stories of these kids. And we deal with the brutal realities they experience, except we do it through the lens of Gospel hope.”
Jabota Bridge tells the stories of characters that are relatable to vulnerable kids. As the characters process their pain through the redemptive plan of the Gospel, the children listening can see how God can work through their situations. Episodes provide doors for caregivers to begin to talk with these kids about Christ’s ability to transform lives, beyond a child’s current circumstances.
A team of writers and producers with experience on acclaimed productions like Focus on the Family’s Adventures in Odyssey will bring Jabota Bridge to life. The program will be aired around the world through the Christian broadcasting organization, Trans World Radio (TWR).
Transforming orphan care
Jabota Bridge came out of a request directly from caregivers who work with vulnerable kids every day. They wanted a program that speaks directly to children in a variety of contexts, helping them to open up to the Gospel and begin a healing process.
Finley says, “This is an area of orphan care that no one is addressing. And our caregivers on the ground say that what we are doing literally, and this is a direct quote, has the power to transform orphan care.”
Finley says that they are praying that as the children listen to these stories, they see hope because they see how God can work through their situations.
Bringing Jabota Bridge to production
#ThemToo is one step toward providing this hope. Through the funds raised in the #ThemToo campaign, production can continue on the Jabota Bridge project.
And RiverCross is praying expectantly for God to provide. Their goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of the year through the #ThemToo campaign and other giving. Donations up to $30,000 will be matched until December 31st.
Are you passionate about reaching vulnerable children with the Gospel? Today is the day to do something about it.
RiverCross encourages people to join the campaign by donating directly or creating Facebook fundraiser pages based off the RiverCross #ThemToo resources. These pages create awareness for the children and the ministry that is trying to reach them. Facebook friends can donate to radio programs that bring the Word of God into vulnerable children’s lives.
Learn how to set up a Facebook page to raise funds here or donate to the Jabota Bridge project here. Most importantly, pray that God will supply the funds necessary to see Jabota Bridge through to completion.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27