Experiencing God's Providence
As my airplane rose over Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I could see wide expanses of water stretching to the horizon. These expanses were briefly interrupted by splotches of muddy brown land, evidence of the flooding happening below. Over the flooding country below, rose a bright rainbow which reminded me of the experience of God’s providence and His plan for all His children. I was able to spend this summer working as a volunteer writer for CRWRC Bangladesh/India. My main tasks were to assist CRWRC’s local partner organizations with their publication needs like brochures, annual reports, and transformational stories. Being a writer allowed me to really explore the work of CRWRC Bangladesh/India and their partners and to see how God’s providence and plan are being worked out through their programs and through the lives of the community members that they partner with. Take Badsha Mia and his wife Kushum Aktar for example. They joined self-help groups with PARI, CRWRC’s partner, and began to save a small amount of money each year. They also got involved in the business and agricultural trainings that were facilitated by PARI staff or the local agricultural officer. Using their skills and their savings, Badsha Mia and Kushum Aktar were able to expand and improve Badsha’s small acquaculture project. Now their ponds are producing a large yield of healthy fish. Moreover, Badsha Mia is contributing to his community by providing employment to others, sharing his learning and acting ethically as a businessman. Another story of positive change comes from the Kokil Boy’s Adolescent Group. Together this group stood up for their peers and convinced their 15 year old friend’s parent not to force him into an early marriage. The boys were able to demonstrate the demerits of early marriage to the boy’s parents and in doing saved their friend and his potential wife from a wide range of health and financial problems.  Children’s lives too are being changed by the compassion of CRWRC and its partners. With the support of CRWRC and its partners, community development groups have started working children’s literacy classes. Entering into the dimly-lit and crowded room, you can feel the enthusiasm for learning. The twenty smiling girls have already been working or will go to work after the class. However, their dreams have become bigger as they discovered their gifts through the power of literacy. Now as you ask what they want to be when they grow up many answer doctor or tailor and one shy girl simply says, “a good person.” These are just a few of the many changes that I was able to witness in Bangladesh. They served as reminders for me that God’s providence is at work everywhere. God provides for and works His plan through working children who discover their gifts. God provides for and works His plan through adolescent boys who stand up for justice. God provides for and works His plan through families that are using their savings and learning to improve their economic circumstances and family life. God provides for and works His plan through CRWRC and partner staff who live and work in the poorest of poor communities. God provides for and works His plan through the volunteers that are working with CRWRC worldwide. And God provides for and works His plan through the churches and individuals that support CRWRC and volunteers so faithfully throughout the year. As I left Bangladesh, I left with great hope in the Kingdom worked that was being carried out in that place. The rainbow that stretched out over the country reminded me of God’s promises and providence that He demonstrated daily in my life and in the lives of those that I met in Bangladesh. |
