Can you hear me now?

"Your lives are echoing the Master's word, not only in the provinces but all over the world." 1 Thessalonians 1:8

I love that verse and am excited that it's time for another ECHO weekend. The purpose of ECHO is to help our kids open their eyes to the world around them. We started by discovering the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The result: GO and LOVE!

The lesson for this installment of ECHO is found in Matthew 4:18-25 when Jesus issues the challenge to fishermen in Galilee - to leave their nets, follow him, and be fishers of men. Jesus asks the same of us today. Are we willing to sacrifice comforts for his calling? I hope so.

One of the ways we will be encouraging our kids to think globally, is by providing a new opportunity for them to show God's love to others. During the next six weeks, we will collect a special offering for an organization called Malaria No More.

Malaria kills more than one million people each year, mostly pregnant women and children in Africa. It costs Africa $12 billion annually. But it doesn't have to be this way. Long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets are a proven tool that have helped several African countries to slash malaria infections and deaths by more than 50% in recent years. (Bed Nets for Africa)

All of the money that is raised during this time will go to buy bed nets for children in Africa. This is not in place of the BGMC offering, but in addition to it. This is our time as HD Children's Ministries to learn about making a sacrifice to show God's love. With just $10 we can purchase a bed net that will help two people to be protected from Malaria for five years.

I look forward to seeing you this ECHO weekend! -Ginger

P.S. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the June 8th Team Time Out!